November 1930
T h e
K i n g ’ s
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such they were after the flesh. Journeyed to Damascus. In his later account Paul said: “I persecuted them even unto for eign cities” (cf. 26:22). His zeal led him far beyond the borders of Palestine. Unto Jerusalem in bonds. More than likely these distant Christians had fled from the persecution in Jerusalem; and Saul, in his fury, determined that they should not es cape. They were not beyond the authority of the Sanhedrin, for in religious matters that court had jurisdiction in all Jewish V. 6 . Drew nigh unto Damascus. We may infer that he was on foot, for after he was blinded he was led by the hand into the city of Damascus. This city is one of the most ancient cities of the east or of the world. It is situated about 140 miles north of Jerusalem. It is said to have had a Jewish population, at that time, of perhaps 50,000. Shone from heav en a great light. Paul notes the time— about noon. The brightness of the light that shone upon him is indicated by the fact that it surpassed the glare of the tropical sun at noon (26:13). It was evi dently supernatural. V. 7. I fell unto the ground. He was overwhelmed by the great light, as were all of those who traveled with him (26:14). Heard a voice. There is a little difficulty in reconciling. the accounts at this point. In Luke’s record (Acts 9 :7 ) it is stated that all heard the voice. In the present lesson (22:9) it is said that Paul alone heard it. The explanation may be that the first statement may be read, as in the margin (A . R. V . ) : “Hearing the sound, but beholding no man.” That; is, others heard a sound, but Paul alone heard the words and understood them. Saul, Saul. The repetition indicates special earnestness. Why persecutest thou me? What a rude awakening Saul had! He assumed that he had been persecuting a group of enemies of God; he discovered that he had been persecuting the Lord of glory. K . V. 8 . Who art thou, Lord? The vision convinced him that the one he saw was the Lord, and he bowed in submission to Him (cf. 1 Cor. 9 :1 ; 15:8). I am Jesus of Nazareth. The Lord answered, using the name “Jesus,” which was so intimately connected with His humiliation as a man, and coupled with it the name of the de spised village of Nazareth which had been His home. The title “Jesus of Nazareth” had, in derision, been put on His cross. Saul learned in that instant that Jesus, who had died at the hands of wicked men, had been raised from the dead by the power of God (cf. Rom. 10:9,10). V. 9. Beheld indeed the light. All of his companions were overwhelmed by the light and fell to the ground (cf. Rev. 1:17). Heard not the voice. The verb “hear” may, in this case, be used in the sense of “understand” (cf. Mk. 4:33; 1 Cor. 14:2). IV. Saul Commissioned (10-15). V. 10. What shall I do, Lord? He had always been earnest and zealous, but his life had been misdirected. As soon as he found Christ, he placed his life at His dis posal. Arise, and go into Damascus. The crisis in Saul’s life was sudden. The transformation of his ideas was complete. But he was unable to take in at once all that this crisis and transformation meant. communities in the empire. III. Saul Arrested (6-9).
BLACKBOARD LESSON
II. Saul, the Persecutor (4 ,5 ).
1. His fury (4 ). 2. His accomplices— high priest; el- ders (5 ). 3. His plan— “bonds” for Christians Saul Arrested (6-9). 1. The blinding vision ( 6 ). 2. The voice of God (7 ). 3. The Lord made known ( 8 , 9). Saul Commissioned (10-15). 1. Tarrying at Damascus (10,11). (12,13). 3. Saul’s marching orders (14,15). A ppro ac h to t h e L esso n " T H E book of Acts contains three ac- A counts of the conversion of Saul. The first is given by Luke (ch. 9 ). The second, which is studied in the present lesson, is Paul’s own account. It comes near the close of the record of his life as given by Luke, the author of Acts. The third (ch. 26) is also Paul’s account, a part of his defense before King Agrippa. After the close of Paul’s third_ mission ary journey, he determined to visit Jeru salem. He carried with him a contribu tion from the Gentile Christian churches to the poor saints at Jerusalem. While in that city, he was pursued by some of his old enemies among the Jews of Asia Minor, who started a false report that he had brought a Greek into the tempje area which was closed to all but Jews. The result was that Paul was set upon by an infuriated mob from whotp he was finally rescued by the Roman guard. As he was being led into the Castle Antonia, he asked permission to Speak to the crowd. He be gan his defense by telling something of the story of his early life. * =*5 * . H eart of t h e L esso n I. Saul, the Jew (3 ). I am a Jew. Paul was never ashamed o f his Jewish ancestry and training. Though he was the apostle to the Gentiles, he sought first of all to reach the Jews. Far from being a traitor to his nation, he “no mean city.” It was the metropolis of Cilicia, at the northeast corner of the Mediterranean. Saul’s education began, no doubt, in his own home, where, under the guidance of pious parents, he was taught the Old Testament in the Greek version. He was also taught a trade, as was the custom among Jews. A t the feet o f Gamaliel. This may be under stood literally, for it was the custom for the teacher to sit on a platform with his pupils below him. This celebrated Gamaliel was a man of great note among the Jews. On one occasion he interceded for the apostles and saved their Jives (Acts 5:33-40). Unconfirmed tradition has it that he became a Christian. The law of our fathers. Paul was evidently very familiar with all the regulations _of the Jewish ceremonial law, and in his early life had been faithful in their observance. always sought its welfare. To prove this to the mob, he tactfully told the story of his life. His birthplace was Tar sus, which he him self once said was (5 ).
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As a Christian, he found himself “ free from the law.” Zealous for God. Paul had been strictly orthodox and no less zealous for the law.” Zealous for God. Paul had been (cf. Phil. 3:4 -6 ). II. Saul, the Persecutor (4, 5). V. 4. Persecuted this Way. The fol lowers of Christ were called “men of the Way.” Christ, to the Christian, is “the way” (John 14:6). Binding and delivering into prisons. Both men and women suffered at the hands of the persecutor. Paul was thoroughly conscientious in this attitude, believing that he was thus serving God (cf. 2 3 :1 ; 2 6 :9 ). When Saul’s conscience was enlightened by the Holy Spirit, he thought differently about his past. V . 5. High priest doth bear me witness. The record of Paul’s action as a perse cutor, under the direction of the Sanhe drin, would either be familiar to the high priest and the elders, or be available for their information. I received letters unto the brethren. With fine Christian charity and tact, Paul refers to the unconverted Jews, his enemies, as “brethren” —- and
Thanksgiving B y R u t h P iper My God, Thou art a God of strength and beauty, Thou art the mighty keeper of the seas, Thou givest me my life, my faith, my seeing — And I so small—what can 1 give for these? Thou givest me the sun, the hills, the rainfall, Clear eyes to see the daybreak and the night, A mind to fathom truth and fol low straightly — And I so small—what can 1 give o f might? ' I Thou givest me the love of little children, The quiet shining of the pass ing day, The flow of peace within a burn ing heartache — And I so small—what can 1 give or say? And then, as though Thou count est not these blessings, Thou sendest Thine own Son to die for me— And I so small — oh, humbly and with gladness I give my all—I give my life to TheeI -
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