Golden Text.— “He is a chosen vessel unto Me, to bear My name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” — Acts 9:15.
“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.”—Acts 9:20. Read Acts 9:1-20.
The Conversion of Saul of Tarsus.
1, 2. “Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord.” What an evil breath he had! The word translated “breathing out” is used only this once, and means to breathe in or out, to breathe, to live. His very life was to hate Christ and Christians, and yet the time came when he could truly say “For me to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).
3, 4. “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?” Thus spake Jesus of Nazareth to him in the Hebrew language (26:14), and arrested him in his mad career, for God had determined concerning him, “Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further” (Job 38:15). Whoever touches a Christian touches Christ Himself, but not even the devil can go one step beyond God’s permission (Job 1:10: Dan. 4:35: Zech. 2:8).
5, 6. “The Lord said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.” He recognizes a superior, and asks, “Who art Thou, Lord?” The answer fills him with trembling and astonishment, for Jesus of Nazareth is actually speaking to him. Seeing Him to be indeed the Christ, the Messiah, whom the prophets had foretold, he at once acknowledges Him as Lord, and meekly asks what he is now to do.
7, 9, “He was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” The men who were with him fell to the earth, seeing the light, and being afraid. They also heard the voice of someone speaking, but did not hear the words, for those were for Saul only. Compare 22:9; 26:14.
10-12. “Inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for, behold, he prayeth.” Thus said the Lord to Ananias, a devout disciple, and one who had a good report of all the Jews at Damascus (22:12). He, like Philip in a previous lesson, is prompt and obedient, one on, whom the Lord could rely to do His bidding.
13-16. “He is a chosen vessel unto Me to bear My name.” Ananias hesitates just a little as he thinks of Saul’s reputation and authority and his madness against Christians. The Lord graciously bears with Ananias in his objections, but repeats His command to go, and assures him that Saul is to be His special messenger to the Gentiles.
17-20. “Receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.” Thus said Ananias to Saul as, having found him just where the Lord said he would, he put his hands upon him and told of the Lord’s commission. He received sight, both natural and spiritual, confessed Christ in baptism, took food for the body, and was strengthened, and immediately preached in the synagogues that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God. Old things are passed away, all things are become new, the Spirit has clothed Himself with Saul (Judges 6:34, R.V., margin), and now henceforth he does but one thing, knows but one Master, and for Him is ready to lay down his life.