The Sabbath School

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Sep 30, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 38.

The Sabbath School

International Series.

LESSON III.—SABBATH, OCTOBER 16, 1897.

THE PERSECUTOR CONVERTED.

Lesson Scripture, Acts 9:1-22, R. V.

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. 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, 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. And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. 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. 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; for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake. 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. 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. And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them which called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests. But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ."

QUESTIONS.

Who was prominent in the persecution of the early church? How bitter was he against the disciples?
What steps did he take to make the persecution more effective? How general did he propose to make it?
To what place did he proceed? What occurred as he approached the place?
How did the bright light affect Saul? What did he hear? What did the voice say?
What was Saul's reply? What astonishing news did Saul learn?
What question did he then ask? What reply did he receive?
What is said of the men who journeyed with him?
What was Saul's condition when he arose from the ground? What did his companions do with him?
How long was he there? In what condition?
To what disciple in Damascus did the Lord speak in a vision?
What did the Lord say to him? What did the Lord say Saul was doing?
What objection did Ananias raise?
How was this objection overruled? What was the Lord's testimony concerning Saul? What was to be his work?
What strange preparations for his work did the Lord propose to give him?
When Ananias came to Saul, what did he say? Give the exact words.
What immediately followed?
After his baptism, what did Saul do?
What did he preach? and where?
State the effect of his preaching on those who heard.
What question did they ask?
What was Saul able to prove?

SUGGESTIVE QUESTIONS.

Find other texts which show the nature of Saul's feeling toward the disciples.
What can we learn from this narrative as to the way we should regard those who oppose the truth?
Against whom is all persecution directed?
If this were always remembered by those who suffer for the faith, what effect would it have on them?

5. The student may have noticed that the words contained in the last part of verse 5 and the first half of verse 6 are omitted in the Revised Version. This, however, can at the most signify no more than that these words do not occur in this part of the received Greek text; for if we examine Paul's account in chapter 22, we shall find a portion of the words which are here omitted.