International S. S. Lessons Exposition and Practical Application By R. A. Torrey Outlines and Suggestive Points By T. C. Horton
Conversion of Saul APR IL 2, 1916. LESSON I. Acts 9:1-11, 17-19. (Compare also Gal. 1:11-17; 1 Tim. 1:12-17). (Commit vs. 17, 18). G olden T e x t : “ This is a faithful saying, and worthy o f all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; o f whom I am chief.”-—TTim. 1 :15.
DA ILY BIBLE READINGS Mon., Mar. 27—Acts 9:1-9. (The Lesson). Tues., Mar. 28—Acts 9:10-22. (The Lesson).
Wed., Mar. 29—Acts 9 :23-31. Thurs., Mar. 30—Acts 22:3-16. Fri., Mar. 31—Eph. 2:1-10. Sat., April- 1—Eph. 3 :1-12. Sun., April 2—1 Tim. 1:11-17.
EXPOSITION AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
vs. 83 2. " And (But) Saul, yet breathing out (omit, out) threatenings ( threatening) and, slaughter against the disciples of the Isord, went unto the high priest, and desired (asked) of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this' way (that were of the way)-, whether they (omit, they) were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.” Saul o f Tarsus was perhaps the most dangerous enemy that our Lord Jesus and his cause ever had on earth. He was filled with intense and bitter hatred o f Jesus and of all who belonged to Him. His intense anger against the Lord and His disciples was not a matter o f a single hour, he breathed an atmosphere o f threat ening and murder. The word translated in the Authorized Version “breathing out,” literally translated is “breathing in,” and the thought is that every breath he drew was a breath .of “threatening and slaugh ter,” and that threatening and slaughter were the very atmosphere in which he lived and which he breathed.' The threatening
and slaughter were “against the disciples o f the Lord.” He hated them because they belonged to the Lord Jesus, and his hatred o f Him whom he could npt get directly at was exhibited in his attitude toward those that belonged to Him. The reason why many today slander and other wise injure Christians is because they hate the One to whom Christians belong. The extent to which he carried out his hatred in action is seen in chapter 22:19, where we are told that he imprisoned and beat in every synagogue those who belieyed on the Lord Jesus and in Chapter 26:10, 11 where we are told that he shut many of the saints up in prison and -when they were put to death, voted for their murder, and that he punished them oftentimes in their synagogue, and strove to make them blaspheme. In all his acts o f violence against the disciples of. Jesus, and so against Jesus Himself, Saul had persuaded himself that he was doing right (ch. 26-9). He had convinced himself that Jesus’ claim to be the Messiah and the Son o f God were^
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