Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1925-05-14
Lesson for May IL
SAUL BECOMES A CHRISTIAN

LESSON-TEXT-Acts 9:1-19.
GOLDEN TEXT-.If any man be in
Christ Jesus, he is new creature. -
II Cor. SIR.
PRIMARY TOPIC-A Man who
Helped Another
JUNIOR TOPIC-How Saul Became
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
IC-How Saul Was Converted.
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-A Study of Conversion.
!. SauI's Violent Hatred of the
Lords Disciples wv. 1-2).
Saul knew full we'll that unless the
movement set on foot by Jesus was
stopped, it would supersede Judaism.
He was ignorant Of the genius Of
christianity. He did not know that
the blood Of martyrs is the seed Of
the church" The noble display of
faith by Stephen in sealing his testi-
meny with his blood did not soften
Saul's spirit, but rather intensified his
hatred for Jesus and His disciples. 1t
made him more determined than ever
to stamp out the Nazarene heresy. The
intensity of his madness, and the ex-
tent of its operations are best set forth
in his own words, "And I prosecuted
this way unto the death, binding and
delivering into prisons both men and
women" (Acts 22:4). II both shut up
many Of the saints in prisons having
received authority from the chief
priests, and when they were put to
death, gave my voice against them,
and Furnishing them oft in all syna-
gogues I strove to make them bias
pheme, and being exceedingly mad
against them, / prosecuted them even
unto foreign cities (Acts 20 :10-12 r.
W.
II. Saul Kicking Against the Prcks
wv. 3-9).
The figure here Is that of the East
ern OK driver following the OK with a
sharp iron fixed to the end of pole.
The animal is prodded on with this
instrument and if it is refractory it
Rcks against the SHARP nsva wad IN
jures itself. This is a picture of Saul
as he was madly fighting against Jesus.
l. A Light From Heaven (vv. 3-4a).
The time had come for the Lord to
interfere. Saul was stricken with
blindness and fell to the earth. This
physical demonstration accentuated
the workings Of his conscience which
doubtless were going on quickened by
the Hsiy Spirit as He used Stephens
testimony.
2. A Voice From Heaven wv. 4b-5).
This was the Lords voice calling
Saul by name and asking, "Why per-
secutest thou Me?" This moved Saul
to inquire, "Who art thou, Lord?" The
answer came, 81 am Jesus, whom thou
persecutest." He is so closely identi-
fed with believers that He feels their
sufferings and regards treatment of
them as treatment of Himself.
3. Saups Inquiry ". g., "What wilt
Thou Have Me to Dor"
The Lord told him to go into the
city where information would be given
him as to what he must do.
4. Saul Entering Damascus wv.
7-9).
The naughty prosecutor went quite
humbly into Damascus, led by his at
tendants For the space of three days
he remained blind and tasted What
went on in his soul in those days no
mortal can know, but we may be as
sured that he, like the Lord in the will
derness, was too deep in meditation
and prayer to desire food.
Ill. Ananias Ministers to Saul wv.
1919.
1. Ananias' Vision wv. 10-12).
In this vision the Lord appeared and
instructed him to go to Saul. He gave
him the name Of the street and SauPs
host, and informed him that Saul was
now praying man, and that He had
prepared Saul by vision for the COM
ing of Ananias.
2. Ananias' Fear and Hesitancy wv.
1916.
He knew Of Saul's ministry and the
authority by which he came. The Lord
encouraged him to go, assuring him
that Saul is no longer an enemy but a
chosen vessel to bear His name before
the Gentiles, kings, and the children
of Israel
3. Ananias' Obedience ". I'D.
His fears being removed, Ananias
went to the house where Saul was
staying, put his hand on him and af-
fectionately addressed him as 'broth-
err" Ananias told Saul that tie Lord
had sent him with two-foId mission:
~ "That thou highest receive thy
sight"
(2) BE filed with the Holy Spirit"
A. Saul Baptized wv. 1919.
After Saul received his sight Ana
Mas baptized him. The Lord bestows
the gift of the Spirit upon whomsoever
He viii, and may designate anyone
whether occupying an official position
or mt to Inv hands 11nnr, indiridnnlr