1 “But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 2 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus; and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven; and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, 5 Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest; but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth. And when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. 10 “Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus; for behold, he prayeth; and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem; and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon Thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake. 17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. 20 “And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that He is the Son of God.”
Golden Text.—“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” Acts 3:19.
SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.
(1) What was Saul’s attitude toward the church of Christ? To whom did he go for authority? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What special commission did he desire? Verse 2. (3) As he journeyed to Damascus, what suddenly came upon him? Verse 3. (4) How did this light affect him? What did he then hear? Verse 4. Note 2. (5) What was Saul’s reply? Then what did the Lord say to him? Verse 5. Note 3. (6) What command did Saul then receive? Verse 6. (7) What was the experience of Saul’s companions? Verse 7. (8) What was Saul’s further experience by the way? Verse 8. (9) How did he pass his first three days in Damascus? Verse 9. (10) To whom did the Lord speak in a vision in the city? Verse 10. (11) What command was given to Ananias? What was he told concerning Saul? Verses 11, 12. (12) What did Ananias say he had heard about Saul? Verses 13, 14. (13) On repeating His command, what further explanation did the Lord give? Verses 15, 16. (14) When Ananias found Saul, what did he do first? How did he address the afflicted man? Verse 17. (15) What was the immediate effect upon Saul? How did he further manifest his faith in Christ? Verse 18. (16) With whom did Saul then abide for a while? Verse 19. (17) What prominent part did he take in their work? Verse 20. Note 4.
NOTES.
1. “Breathing out threatening” indicates that Saul’s whole soul was wrapped in the work of destroying the church of Christ, the slaughter of individuals being a mere incidental in the ultimate purpose. It was a matter of conscience with Saul. He was “zealous toward God,” and verily thought that he “ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.” Acts 22:3, 4; 26:9. This is proof that the human conscience is a very unreliable guide. Only the Word of God can be depended upon as infallible.
2. This glorious light would not have smitten Saul to the ground had he been in harmony with it. Stephen saw the same manifestation (Acts 7:55), and it was a source of consolation to him. The unbeliever could not stand in the presence of God, if permitted to go to heaven. Therefore salvation without perfect harmony with Christ would be an impossibility. It was by faith that Enoch “walked with God” and was “translated.”
3. Persecuting the disciples of Christ is persecution of the Lord Himself; therefore persecution should not separate us from Him. Rom. 8:35.
4. Saul’s Experience.—(1) He is overcome by the One against whom he is making war. (2) He immediately submits, humbles himself, and asks what he shall do. (3) From a proud leader he becomes helpless and dependent upon his followers. (4) He is left in affliction three days as a further test of his faith. (5) His humiliation and prayer bring an answer of relief, and he receives healing and instruction at the hands of those whom he designed to imprison, and perhaps put to death. (6) His mission of murder is turned to one of love, and zeal for the salvation of souls. Such is the Gospel of Christ; it is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rom. 1:16.
