the acts of the apostles-第23章
按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
and emotions of his heart were transformed by divine grave； and his nobler
faculties were brought into harmony with the eternal purposes of God。 Christ
and His righteousness became to Saul more than the whole world。
The conversion of Saul is a striking evidence of the miraculous power of the
Holy Spirit to convict men of sin。 He had verily believed that Jesus of
Nazareth had disregarded the law of God and had taught His disciples that it
was of no effect。 But after his conversion； Saul recognized Jesus as the one
who had come into the world for the express purpose of vindicating His
Father's law。 He was convinced that Jesus was the originator of the entire
Jewish system of sacrifices。 He saw that at the crucifixion type had met
antitype； that Jesus had fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning
the Redeemer of Israel。
In the record of the conversion of Saul important principles are given us；
which we should ever bear in mind。 Saul was brought directly into the
presence of Christ。 He was one whom Christ intended for a most important
work； one who was to be a 〃chosen vessel〃 unto Him； yet the Lord did not at
once tell him of the work that had been assigned him。 He arrested him in his
course and convicted him of sin； but when Saul asked； 〃What wilt Thou have
me to do？〃 the Saviour placed the inquiring Jew in connection with His
church； there to obtain a knowledge of God's will concerning him。
121
The marvelous light that illumined the darkness of Saul was the work of the
Lord； but there was also a work that was to be done for him by the
disciples。 Christ had performed the work of revelation and conviction； and
now the penitent was in a condition to learn from those whom God had
ordained to teach His truth。
While Saul in solitude at the house of Judas continued in prayer and
supplication； the Lord appeared in vision to 〃a certain disciple at
Damascus； named Ananias；〃 telling him that Saul of Tarsus was praying and in
need of help。 〃Arise； and go into the street which is called Straight；〃 the
heavenly messenger said； 〃and inquire in the house of Judas for one called
Saul； of Tarsus： for； behold； he prayeth； and hath seen in a vision a man
named Ananias coming in； and putting his hand on him； that he might receive
his sight。〃
Ananias could scarcely credit the words of the angel； for the reports of
Saul's bitter persecution of the saints at Jerusalem had spread far and
wide。 He presumed to expostulate： 〃Lord； I have heard by many of this man；
how much evil he hath done to Thy saints at Jerusalem： and here he hath
authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Thy name。〃 But the
command was imperative： 〃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。〃
Obedient to the direction of the angel； Ananias sought out the man who had
but recently breathed out threatenings against all who believed on the name
of Jesus； and putting his hands on the head of the penitent sufferer； he
said； 〃Brother Saul； the Lord； even Jesus； that appeared unto thee
122
in the way as thou camest； hath sent me； that thou mightest receive thy
sight； and be filled with the Holy Ghost。
〃And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales： and he
received sight forthwith； and arose； and was baptized。〃
Thus Jesus gave sanction to the authority of His organized church and placed
Saul in connection with His appointed agencies on earth。 Christ had now a
church as His representative on earth； and to it belonged the work of
directing the repentant sinner in the way of life。
Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for their light
and experience； independent of His recognized followers on earth。 Jesus is
the friend of sinners； and His heart is touched with their woe。 He has all
power； both in heaven and on earth； but He respects the means that He has
ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of men； He directs sinners to
the church； which He has made a channel of light to the world。
When； in the midst of his blind error and prejudice； Saul was given a
revelation of the Christ whom he was persecuting； he was placed in direct
communication with the church； which is the light of the world。 In this case
Ananias represents Christ； and also represents Christ's ministers upon the
earth； who are appointed to act in His stead。 In Christ's stead Ananias
touches the eyes of Saul； that they may receive sight。 In Christ's stead he
places his hands upon him； and； as he prays in Christ's name； Saul receives
the Holy Ghost。 All is done in the name and by the authority of Christ。
Christ is the fountain； the church is the channel of communication。
（123）
Chapter 13
Days of Preparation
After his baptism； Paul broke his fast and remained 〃certain days with the
disciples which were at Damascus。 And straightway he preached Christ in the
synagogues； that He is the Son of God。〃 Boldly he declared Jesus of Nazareth
to be the long…looked…for Messiah； who 〃died for our sins according to the
Scriptures； 。 。 。 was buried； and 。 。 。 rose again the third day；〃 after
which He was seen by the Twelve and by others。 〃And last of all；〃 Paul
added； 〃He was seen of me also； as of one born out of due time。〃 I
Corinthians 15：3； 4； 8。 His arguments from prophecy were so conclusive； and
his efforts were so manifestly attended by the power of God； that the Jews
were confounded and unable to answer him。
The news of Paul's conversion had come to the Jews as a great surprise。 He
who had journeyed to Damascus 〃with authority and commission from the chief
priests〃 （Acts 26：12） to apprehend and persecute the believers was now
124
preaching the gospel of a crucified and risen Saviour； strengthening the
hands of those who were already its disciples； and continually bringing in
new converts to the faith he had once so bitterly opposed。
Paul had formerly been known as a zealous defender of the Jewish religion
and an untiring persecutor of the followers of Jesus。 Courageous；
independent； persevering； his talents and training would have enabled him to
serve in almost any capacity。 He could reason with extraordinary clearness；
and by his withering sarcasm could place an opponent in no enviable light。
And now the Jews saw this young man of unusual promise united with those
whom he formerly persecuted； and fearlessly preaching in the name of Jesus。
A general slain in battle is lost to his army； but his death gives no
additional strength to the enemy。 But when a man of prominence joins the
opposing force； not only are his services lost； but those to whom he joins
himself gain a decided advantage。 Saul of Tarsus； on his way to Damascus；
might easily have been struck dead by the Lord； and much strength would have
been withdrawn from the persecuting power。 But God in His providence not
only spared Saul's life； but converted him； thus transferring a champion
from the side of the enemy to the side of Christ。 An eloquent speaker and a
severe critic； Paul； with his stern purpose and undaunted courage； possessed
the very qualifications needed in the early church。
As Paul preached Christ in Damascus； all who heard him were amazed and said；
〃Is not this he that destroyed
125
them which called on this name in Jerusalem； and came hither for that
intent； that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests？〃 Paul
declared that his change of faith had not been prompted by impulse or
fanaticism； but had been brought about by overwhelming evidence。 In his
presentation of the gospel he sought to make plain the prophecies relating
to the first advent of Christ。 He showed conclusively that these prophecies
had been literally fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth。 The foundation of his
faith was the sure word of prophecy。
As Paul continued to appeal to his astonished hearers to 〃repent and turn to
God；
