p. 13 | The Sunday School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 25, 1897

The Sunday School

International Series.

Lesson XI.—Sunday, March 14, 1897.

SAUL, THE PERSECUTOR, CONVERTED.

Note.—We have traced the growth of the church through its various steps, troubles without and within, conversions of Jews and of Gentiles, persecutions and dispersion of the early members. Now we see taken the first steps toward an expansion of the Gospel work in the regions beyond. Authorities are not agreed in regard to the date of the conversion of Saul. Some place it between the years 34 and 35, while others place it as late as 37. Damascus was about 140 miles northeast of Jerusalem.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 9:1-12, 17-20, R.V.

1 “But Saul, yet breathing threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 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. 3 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; 4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5 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. 9 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 in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”

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; and he took food and was strengthened. 19 And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.”

Golden Text.—“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Tim. 1:15.

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

(1) What was the condition of Saul’s feelings toward the disciples? Verse 1. Note 1. (2) What did he do? Ib., and verse 2. (3) How was it his purpose to treat the Christians? Ib. (4) How far did he proceed with this purpose in view? Verse 3, first clause. (5) How was his journey interrupted? Ib., last clause. (6) How was Saul affected? Verse 4, first clause? (7) What did he hear? Ib., last part. (8) How did Christ interpret Saul’s persecution of the Christians? Ib., last clause. Note 2. (9) How did Saul reply? Verse 5, first clause. (10) What answer did he receive? Ib., second clause. (11) To what did Christ compare Saul’s work? Ib., last clause. Note 3. (12) What further question did Saul ask? Verse 6, first clause. (13) What reply did he receive? Ib., last part. (14) How much of what transpired was seen and heard by Saul’s companions? Verse 7. (15) What was the effect of this divine visitation upon Saul? Verse 8. (16) How long did he continue blind? Verse 9, first clause. (17) How was he engaged during the time? Ib., last clause. (18) To what disciple at Damascus did the Lord appear in vision? Verse 10. (19) What commission was given to him? Verse 11, first part. (20) What did the Lord give as a reason for sending Ananias to Saul? Ib., last clause. (21) What other vision had Saul received? Verse 12. Note 4. (22) How did Ananias address Saul? Verse 17. (23) What two gifts did he bring to Saul? Ib. (24) What was the result of the visit of Ananias? Verse 18. Note 5. (25) After receiving food, with whom did Saul mingle? Verse 19. (26) What work did he immediately set about doing? Verse 20.

NOTES.

1. Saul of Tarsus.—Saul, the persecutor, was Paul, the Christian. The first was his Hebrew name and the latter his Greek name. So it seems very appropriate that when he became the apostle to the Gentiles he should be known always as Paul. Tarsus was the chief city in Cilicia, Asia Minor. Breathing out threatenings and slaughter.—It would seem as tho the zeal of Saul for the suppression of Christianity had completely overcome his regard for the law which said, “Thou shalt not kill.” The prophecy which the Saviour uttered in John 16:2: “Whosoever killeth you will think that he doeth God service” was being literally fulfilled. This lesson is a divine object-lesson upon the subject of how God regards the work of seeking to build up his kingdom by political machinations or by the assistance of the law-making power.

2. Why persecutest thou Me?—Saul had no doubt that the message which came to him from the One in bright apparel was a message from heaven. He expected a Deliverer, and no doubt thought that he was working in the interests of that Deliverer in putting down the followers of what he considered to be a false Messiah; but the fact that this One was Jesus whom they had crucified, and in consequence of the confession of whom they had stoned Stephen, was a terrible revelation to Saul. It is nothing to be wondered at that he trembled and was astonished. Christ identifies himself with his followers. They are his brethren. Christ’s statement that the persecution of his followers is a persecution of himself, is an amplification of that other statement (Matt. 25:40), “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” He who persecutes another for worshiping God according to the dictates of his conscience persecutes Christ. Christ’s sanction is never with the oppressor or the persecutor, even tho that persecution is done in the name of Christ or for the alleged ushering in of his kingdom; and what was true of the persecution of those days is true of the religious persecution of our own day in our own land.

3. Hard . . . to kick against the goads.—This was a common expression of early times to express that impotent rage which injures itself instead of the object against which it is vented. The figure is drawn from “unruly oxen.” In kicking the goad they hurt themselves and accomplished nothing.

4. Seen in a vision.—Saul had been praying for light, both spiritual and physical. He had asked of the One who appeared to him what he should do. The promise was that he would be shown what he must do while at Damascus. It would seem from the preceding verse that he had not ceased to pray for light, and that this vision explaining in what manner he would receive it had come in answer to his fervent prayer.

5. And was baptized.—Since receiving the Master’s rebuke and admonition on the way to Damascus, Saul’s career is marked with implicit obedience and absolute faith. He had not deviated from his instructions, and his belief in the power of God to do what he promised, made it possible for the scales to be removed from his eyes. He had now passed through a similar experience to that of the blind man whom he had been willing to see cast out of the synagogue for confessing his healing at the hands of Christ. Saul had received sight at the hands of Jesus; he had confessed him; and now he would be dealt with by the Jews even as the man on whose eyes Jesus had put the healing clay.