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THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NE S S
Saul’s preaching amazed the people. This formerly vicious persecutor wàs preaching the very doctrine which he had attempted to exterminate. It is little wonder that the people were as tonished, and there is something of the same amazement aroused by the testimony of a new convert today. The subject of Saul’s preaching was not an idea, nor a set of doctrines, nor a code df ethics. It was a Person, One who had died on the cross, was risen from among the dead, and was now at God’s right hand. And Saul preached with such wisdom and power that the Jews Were confounded and left without answer, hence without ex cuse. It was apparent that if Jesus who had been crucified was indeed the Christ, then the nation of Israel was unspeakably wicked in their treat ment of Him. II. I ts O pposition (23-30) The Jews took- the only way they knew to stop Saul’s preaching: they determined to kill the preacher. Just what their rulers had done before to Jesus Himself, they were now doing to His servant as had been foretold (cf. John 15:20, 21). But Saul escaped, and made his way to Jerusalem. He attempted to join the disciples there, but they were afraid to receive him. But Barnabas rehearsed what
assistance of this one-time persecutor. These two great evangelists re mained at Antioch for a whole year and “ taught much people.” The result of their teaching was that the “ disci- r ’i s were called Christians first in An- tioch”_ (v. 26). The word "called” im plies a divine designation. The be lievers were not called Christians by the people as a name of scorn, nor did they call themselves Christians as a means of identification, but they were so called by the Lord (cf. Matt. 1:21- 25, 10:2; 1 John 3:1; Rev. 19:13; where the word “called” occurs). They were called Christians because they had been “ called” from all their former objectives and beliefs, by the Holy Spirit of God, unto the Person of the crucified and risen Son of God, and for the glory of God. This is the “calling” of all believers who are “called Christians.” Points and Problems 1. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples" (Acts 9:19). One of the evidences that a person is truly born again is a love for the fellowship of the people of God. John in his first Epistle says, “We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren.” Saul of Tarsus evidenced the miracle of grace in his heart by loving tho^e whom he had once hated.
BLACKBOARD LESSON ’iflm nor «sHAmco or t h e go spel o f christ : FOR IT IS TH E POIUER OF ÛODUOTOSfllWITIOn TO EUERHOOE THflfT 6EUCl)ETH"eom.i:ib
had happened to Saul and how he had been changed from a persecutor to a preacher of the truth, whereupon- the disciples received him, and he was as sociated with them at Jerusalem. Again the opposition showed itself, and he was threatened with death. He escaped by being sent to Caesarea. One wonders what sort of testimony the disciples at Jerusalem were giving, that they were not persecuted as Saul was. Possibly they were not as intent, as was Saul,- on preaching Jesus, as the Son of God. III. T he E ffects (1 1 :2 5 , 26) When news came to Jerusalem of the stirring at Antioch, Barnabas was sent there „to examine the work (cf. vs. 19-24). Finding that work to be of such proportions that he required help, and remembering that Saul was at Tarsus, he went thither to enlist the
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