The McDowell times. [volume] (Keystone, W. Va.) 1904-1941, 1941-05-16


GOLDEN TEXT was not disobedicnt
unto the heavenly vision.-Acs 26:l9
The conversion Of Saul is recog-
nized as one of the outstanding
events in Bible history When two
brilliant English lawyers, Lord Lyt-
Teton and Sir Gilbert West. set out
to disprove the truth of Christianity,
they selected the resurrection of
Christ and the story of Pauls con-
version as the focal points of their
proof. Working independently, they
then came together to compare
notes, and found that they had both
become Christians as they had be-
come convinced of the truth OF the
Scriptures.
The two events may veil stand
together as mighty evidence for
Christianity, for caiy on the ground
of regeneration can the change in
Saul be accounted for, and only on
the assurance that he met the risen
Christ on the Damascus road can
we account for his conversion. This
is great lesson, let us make the
very most Of it.
1. Saul, q Bold Prosecutor wv.
l. q.
AS our lesson opens we find the
brilliant and Jealous young Jew.
Saul, yet breathing out threaten
ings and slaughter against the dis
ciples of the Lord" The persecu-
tions in Jerusalem had practically
wiped out the church in that city,
but had scattered the disciples
abroad, and thus the witness had
been spread. The death Of the godly
Stephen, to which Saul had given
his approval, had only increased his
determination to destroy those who
were "of the way" Of Jesus. Looking
for new fields to conquer, he car
ried with him to Damascus letters
from the high priest at Jerusalem,
giving him authority to imprison the
followers Of Christ. But on the way
he met Christ Himself, and was
stricken to the earth.
ii. Saul, q Convicted Sinner wv.
3-s).
Stricken down by brilliant heav-
emily light, he finds himself talking
to the Lord JSxis. He hears from
His holy lips the solemn Indictment
OF those who prosecute Gods peo-
ple-"Why persecutest thou me?"
He who lays unkind hands upon, or
brings untrue accusation against,
Gods children had best beware, for
so closely is our Lord identified with
His people that when they suffer, 1t
is He who bears the hurt.
In single sentence the Lord dis
poses of the prosecuting zeal and
the sinful skepticism of this proud
young Pharisee, and Saul enters into
Damascus not as the naughty per-
secutor, but as a man trembling and
astonished. He spends three days
Shut in with his own soul and God,
not seeing, not caring to eat, but
entering into communion with God.
BY Gods grace the old life is pulled
up by the roots as it is displaced
by the new life in Christ Jesus
III. Ananias, an Obedient Disci-
pie wv. 1922.
Ananias was the Il am here.
Lord" type of Christian to whom the
Lord could confidently commit His
important business. All we know of
him is what is contained in this
chapter, but 1t is a very beautiful
and enviable record. God is able
to work directly on any human soul
and accomplish His end las He did
with Saul on the Damascus road),
but His usual manner of working is
through faithful human agencies.
One wonders how much would be
accomplished for God if every Chris
tian we're as willing and ready as
was Ananias to do the Lords bid
ding in seeking out and helping q
struggling soul.
The greatest of all Christian lead
ers, the apostle Paul, was led out
into his life of loyalty and service
to Christ by a humble layman. Re
peatedly Gods Word by precept and
example stresses the vital impor-
lance of personal work on the part
OF laymen and women. The lead
ers Of Christian work during the COM
ing generation are now in the Sun
day school classes of our churches,
perhaps in little wayside chapel in
the country, in the village church,
in the mission or settlement house,
or in the great city church.
Nv. Saul, a Chosen Witness wv.
Is, l6).
The fears Of Ananias that Saul
might still be a worker Of evil ".
l3) we're soon overcome by Gods
assurance that in the praying Saul
He had prepared for Himself "a
chosen vessel" ". l5) to bear the
gospel to the Gentiles and to kings.
as well as TO Israel
The great witness of Saul was 10
be accompanied by great suffering.
How often the two 60 together, and
both may be las they we're in Pauls
life) for Gods glory. Saul knew
nothing of that subtle hypocrisy
known as being "a secret believer. F."
for at once he made open confes-
sion of his faith in baptism, and
"straightway he preached Christ in