The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1931-08-06


Agrippa, 1 was not disobedient unto
the heavenly vision.
PRIMARY TOPIC-Saul Chosen to Be
. Missionary.
JUNIOR TOPIC-Saul Chosen Mis-
sionary to the Gentiles.
INTERMEDIATE AND SENIOR TOP
1C-A Vision and a Response
YOUNG PEOPLE AND ADULT TOP
1C-Sauls Conversion and Commission.
]. SauPs Violent Hatred of the
Lords Disciples Wv. l, y.
Saul knew full we'll that unless the
movement set on foot by Jesus was
stopped it would supersede Judaism.
The noble display of faith by Stephen
in sealing his testimony with his blood
did not soften Saul's spirit, but rather
intensified his hatred for the Lord and
his disciples. 1t made him more de-
termined than ever to stamp out the
Nazarene heresy. The intensity of his
madness and the extent Of it's opera
lions are best set forth in his own
words (Acts 22:4; 26:10-12 r. W.
II. Saul Kicking Against the Pricks
NV. 3-9).
The figure here is that of the east
ern OK driver following the OK with
sharp iron fixed to the end of pole.
The animal is prodded on with this
instrument and if refractory, it kicks
against the sharp iron and Injuries
itself. This is a graphic picture Of
Saul as he was madly fighting against
Jesus.
1. A light from heaven wv. 8, ~.
The time had come for the Lord to
interfere. Saul was smiuten with
blindness and fell to the earth.
2. A voice from heaven wv. 4, 81.
This was the Lords voice calling Saul
by name and asking "Why persecutest
thou me?" To this Saul replied, "Who
art thou, Lord?' Then came the an
swer, 81 am Jesus whom thou per-
secutest," as if to say that persecution
Of the disciples is persecution of Jesus.
3. Saul's inquiry ". g.. "What
wilt thou have me to do?" The Lord
told him to go into the city where in
formation would be given him as to
what he must do.
4. Saul entering Damascus wv.
7-9). The proud prosecutor went hum
bly, into Damascus, led by his attend
ants. For the space of three days he
remained blind, and tasted. What
went on in his soul in those days no
mortal can know. Doubtless in this
time he got hold of the truths which
he later proclaimed to the world, for
his conversion was the basal fact of
his theology. The day is coming when
all men shall behold the dazzling
glory of the Son. either in salvation
or in condemnation (Phil. 2:10, Il;
Rev. 6:15-17).
III. Saul Ministered to by Ananias
wv. 1919.
1. Ananias' vision wv. 10-12). The
Lord appeared to him and instructed
him to go to Saul. He gave him the
name of the streets and Saurs host.
and Informed him that Saul was now
a praying man and that he had pre-
pared Saul by vision for the coming
Of Ananias. The Lord knows the
name of the street and the number Of
the house in which his chosen live.
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, as
surfing him that Saul was no longer an
enemy but a chosen vessel to bear
his name before the Gentiles, kings,
%6o oh aF Tcr0o1 md that
the badge of his commission should
be great suffering for Christ.
8. Ananias' obedience ". ~. His
fears being removed. Ananias went to
the house where Saul was stopping,
put his hand upon him and affection
ately addressed him as brother. The
hitherto savage prosecutor is now
brother in Christ. Ananias Informed
him that the Lord had sent him with
a twofold mission:
q. "That thou highest receive thy
sight"
b. BE filed with the Holy Ghost"
He received his sight forthwith.
4. Saul baptized wv. IS, 19). After
Saul received his sight, Ananias bap-
tized him. The Lord bestows the gift
Of the Spirit upon whomsoever he will,
and may designate anyone, whether
occupying an official position or not,
to lay hands upon individuals.
w. Paul Put Into the Ministry
Il Tim. 1:12-1G.
He was commissioned for his work
among the Gentiles by Jesus Christ.
He did not enter the Christian minis
try, but was placed there by the SOW
ereign act of the Lord. He was trans
formed from a blasphemer and a per-
secutor through the abundant grace of
tho ord Insns Christ and madn the