Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-21


| Acts $40.
Saul's conversion closed his career a.
a prosecutor of the church. His com
mission from the High Priest wa
Cancelled by the vision given him OF tht
risen Christ. His testimony of his ex'
perience served to convince Saul that
he had been called of God to preach thc
eosuel The change of service from
being a prosecutor of the ChrStlans &c
being a preacher of their gospel. that
! .Tes,ls of Nazareth was the Son of GOD
! called for Saul to prepare for his life
work. The Master who revealed Him
| self and His purpose to make of Saul
/ His chosen vessel in winning the
| Gentiles. took charge of Saul's prepare
ton for his life work among the nations
as His apostle.
Saul's changed mission called for the
brilliant young theologian to review his
old teachings and think through the
meaning of his conversion and call to
the world for the One whom Saul had
despised. but now worshipped as the
Son of God. There was much OF his
Jewish inheritance of truth that he did
NOT nave I'D al ldSNs AAS AWNING
that the great spiritual truths about
God and man were not changed. He
found that in the matter of difference
between the Pharisees and SadduceeS,
he was still a PhariSee. especially In
reference to the resurrection. Never
thcless Saul did not find 1t easy to ad-
lust his inheritance of JudaiSttc faith
with the gospel, that was the power OF
God unto salvation. He had to set
aside much that he had learned from
men in the mental revolution that fol-
lowed his spiritual conversion. He car
ried over into his life work the Judaism
of Abraham, Moses, David, Isaiah and
the prophets His views were nodded
by his experience in city of Greek
culture and an acquaintance with their
literature.
Luke passes over the days Saul spent
in Arabia seeking reinterpretation and
reSsatement of his theology IN view OF
his vision of the risen and living Christ.
He could not raise the faith OF a Jewish
sect into that of world religion, if
Jesus had not taken Saul into the soli-
tude of Arabia. where for period
probably close on to three years, the
apostle BY prayer and study of GODS
word was being personally lifted Tor
his career as an apostle,
We do not know the section OF
Arabia where Saul was taught OF the
Lord. He may have gone as far south
as Mount Sinai. full of memories OF
Moses and Gods gift of the Law OF
Israel. In the silence and solitude OF
that ancient site. Saul, free from the
presence of men and the crowds, could
have learned more of Jesus and the
Old Testament'S message in reference
to Him, whose gift of grace and saliva
ton antedated the giving of the law,
than in any school.
Preaching the Gospel.
After many days were fulfilled"
Saul returned to Damascus, where he
had made his confession of faith and
been baptized. A radical change had
taken place in his theological views of
sin and salvation. He showed the ef-
feet of his studies during those silent
years in Arabia under the guidance of
the Holy Spirit He had a new grasp
upon the Scriptures. He saw their
teachings in reference to the Lord
Jesus. whom He boldly preached to be
the Son of God and the Savior of men.
His ministry was prompted by the
love of Christ. who had filled him with
His passion to help win men. There
was not a single selfish reason or mo-
tive that could be said to have moved
Saul In his zeal 10 persuade men that
God was seeking to reconcile the world
to Himself through Christ Jesus. The
spiritual power of Sauls life, love and
labor stirred up his enemies. especially
those whom he had defeated in the de-
bates In the synagogues by his mastery
of rabbinical teachings and through
knowledge of the Scriptures. They
looked upon Saul as turn coat" and
they plotted to take his life Visitors
to Damascus are shown today the
house where the enemies of Saul
thought they had him trapped and from
which he escaped by the use of
basket, similar to what they are using
today In that city. His ministry had
won converts. who demonstrated their
loyalty to Saul by helping him to
escape.
Jerusalem Ministry.
When Saul escaped from Damascus
he returned TO Jerusalem. He met a
cool reception. for they were all afraid
OF hinl-they did not believe that he
was disciple" 1t was due to the
rm-hearted Barnabas that he was
recognized. He may have known Saul
as Helieniest. He youched for him
after he learned of Saul's conversion
and call 10 preach. During this time
Saul spent about Is days with Peter.
We may well believe that from his lips
Saul heard in full the story of the
Masters ministry. and that he filled
up MS mind with many of the sayings
and sermons of our Lord. From Peter
saul learned what he needed TO know
concerning the earthly ministry which
ne neeoeo To associate with his vision
OF the exalted and glorified Christ
Naturally Saul would seek out his
former associates and try to win them
for Christ and His Church. The Grecian
Jews, who had stoned Stephen. did moi
look with favor upon him, for he ap-
peared TO them to be religious turn
coat. 1t resulted in Jerusalem, as il
mad IN Damascus, that Saul commenced
10 reap some of the seeds of persecu-
| ton that ne had sowed The force OF
the opposition became so strong that
the brethren" conducted him down TO
CaeSarea, where he took ship for Tarsus,
| convinced that it was Gods will for
him 70 work among the Gentiies. There
| in his native city Saul Iabored for
years unknown by face unto the
churches In Judea."
Called 10 Antioch.
Jerusalem mad failed TO send out mis-
Sionaries. 1t lacked the missionary
spirit. II was influenced by the pres
| ence of the temple and the rabbinical
| yoke had restrictive influence over
4 the mother church. The persecution
started by the death OF Stephen had
forced the membership Of the Jerusalem
Church 10 be scattered. and wherever
they went their presenc was seen by