T HE K I N G ’S B U S I N E S S
687
-JULY 17, 1921 THE CONVERSION OF SAUL
Golden Text: This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners;, of whom I am chief. 1 Tim. 1:15. IiESSON TEXT Ac. 9:1-12, 17-19a. (Read Ac. 22:1-21; 26:1-23.)
(1) And Saul, yet breathing out threat- enings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, (2) and desired (and asked) of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. (3) And' as he jour neyed, he came neai> Damascus; and sud denly there shined (shone) round about him a light from heaven: (4) And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice say ing unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?. (5) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said (he said), I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. (7) And the men which journeyed with him stood speech less, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. (8) And Saul arose from th e , earth; and THEME: “The Slayer of Christians—a Slave of Christ.” OUTLINE 1. The Commission of Saul, vs. 1, 2. 2. The Challenge of Christ, vs. 3, 4. 3. The Capitulation of Saul, vs. 5-9. 4. The Communication to Ananias, vs. 10-17. 5. The Change in Saul, vs. 18, 19a. INTRODUCTION Our lesson deals LESSON with the conversion EXPOSITION of “The incomparable T. C. Horton character, the illustri ous missionary, the intrepid soldier, the indefatigable worker, the greatest of the apostles—Saul of Tar sus.” He was born in the Gentile city of Tarsus, celebrated as a school of Greek culture, (Acts 21:39)., “ But Paul said. I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city.” He learned the trade of tent making, (Acts 18:3)
when his eyes were opened he s'aw no m an: but they led him by the hand, and brought him unto Damascus. (9)And he was there three. days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. (10) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Arise, and go unto the street which is called straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (12) And hath seen in a vision a man Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. (17) And Ananias went his way; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. (18J And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales; and he received sight forthwith and arose, and was baptized. (19) And when he had received meat* he was strengthened. “ And because he was of the same craft, he abode w ith them , and wrought; (for by occupation they were tentmakers.” ) Every Jewish child of high or low de gree was taught a trade. He was a Roman by birth, (Acts 22: 28) “ And the chief captain answered. W ith a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was freeborn.” his Gentile name being Paul, which name he assumed when he began Gentile work. At the age of twelve he was pro bably sent to Jerusalem, (Acts 22:3) “ I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous to ward God as ye all are this day.” He was a Pharisee, as was his father, (Acts 23:6) “ But when Paul perceived th at the one part were Sadducees, and the other P hari sees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee; of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.” In Saul the three elements of the world civilization met; Roman citizen ship, Greek culture and Hebrew relig ion. (Phil. 3:5-6.)
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