IX: 1, 2. These is a sudden transition in our narrative at this point, and it assumes more the character of a biography. The writers of sacred history, in both Testaments, devote the greater part of their space to biographical sketches. The greater familiarity of the masses of the people with such p... [ Continue Reading ]
IX: 1, 2. These is a sudden transition in our narrative at this point, and it assumes more the character of a biography. The writers of sacred history, in both Testaments, devote the greater part of their space to biographical sketches. The greater familiarity of the masses of the people with such p... [ Continue Reading ]
3. The storm of passion with which Saul started from Jerusalem would naturally subside, in some degree, in the course of the five or six days necessary to perform on foot the journey of one hundred and forty miles, leaving him in a calmer mood, and better prepared for the scenes which transpired nea... [ Continue Reading ]
4. "_ And he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? " He not only heard this voice, but, gazing, while his eyes could endure it, into the midst of the glory, he saw distinctly the being who spoke to him. The question he heard, by the simple force o... [ Continue Reading ]
5, 6. Though his conscience was now aroused, and he knew full well that the vision before him was from heaven, he can not comprehend it until he knows who it is that speaks to him and asserts himself the object of his persecutions. (5) " And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus... [ Continue Reading ]
7. While the conversation was passing between Saul and Jesus, the conduct of his companions is thus described by Luke. (7) "_ Now, the men who were journeying with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no man. " Paul gives a different account of their demeanor, by saying that they all... [ Continue Reading ]
8, 9. When the vision disappeared, Saul promptly obeyed the commandment given him. (8) "_ And Saul was raised from the earth, but when his eyes were opened he saw no one, and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus._ (9) _And he was there three days without seeing, and did neither ea... [ Continue Reading ]
10-12. While this scene of anguish was transpiring in the presence of the astonished Jews who surrounded Saul, the Lord was not unmindful of the promise he had made him. As he had sent him to Damascus to learn what to do, he provides him with a teacher. (10) "_ Now there was a certain disciple in Da... [ Continue Reading ]
13-16. Ananias had already heard of Saul, doubtless through fugitive brethren from Jerusalem, and such was the horror which his name inspired, that he was reluctant to approach him, even when commanded by the Lord to do so. (13) "_ Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many concerning this... [ Continue Reading ]
17-19. The assurance given by the Lord was sufficient to remove his fears. (17) "_ And Ananias went away and entered into the house, and laid hands upon him, and said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus who appeared to you in the road in which you came, has sent me that you may receive sight, and be... [ Continue Reading ]
19-22. No sooner had Saul obeyed the gospel and obtained pardon, then he began to devote all his energies to building up what he had sought to destroy. (19) "_ Then Saul was some days with the disciples in Damascus,_ (20) _and immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that this is the Son of... [ Continue Reading ]
23-25. Saul now begins to see enacted in Damascus scenes similar to those in which he had played a part in Jerusalem; but his own position is reversed. He begins to experience, in his turn, the ill-treatment which he had heaped upon others. (23) "_ Now when many days were fulfilled, the Jews determi... [ Continue Reading ]
26, 27. The mortification of Saul as being compelled to thus escape from Damascus was remembered for many years, to be mentioned when he would "glory in the things which concerned his infirmities." He had not yet seen any of those who were apostles before him since he left them in Jerusalem to go on... [ Continue Reading ]
28, 29. Though the brethren, even at the solicitation of Barnabas, may have received him with some misgivings, the course he pursued soon won their confidence. (28) "_ And he was with them coming in and going out in Jerusalem,_ (29) _and spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed again... [ Continue Reading ]
30. In this emergency, the brethren found opportunity to make amends for the suspicion with which they had at first regarded him. (30) " And when the brethren knew this, they took him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. " We learn, from Paul's own account of this movement, that it was not... [ Continue Reading ]
31. Preparatory to this transition in the narrative, the historian glances rapidly over the territory to which we are about to be introduced, stating the condition of things immediately after Saul's departure for Tarsus. (31) "_ Then the Churches had peach throughout all Judea and Galilee, and Samar... [ Continue Reading ]
32-35. We have just seen Saul sent "far hence to the Gentiles;" but as yet we have no account of the admission of uncircumcised Gentiles into the Church; it is time that this account should be before us, and Luke proceeds to give it. He approaches the subject by relating the circumstances which led... [ Continue Reading ]
36-42. From the midst of these happy and peaceful triumphs of the truth, Peter was suddenly called away to Joppa. The circumstances which led to this event are this related to Luke: (36) "_ Now, in Joppa, there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which, translated, is Dorcas._ _This woman was full... [ Continue Reading ]
43. Peter was engaged, at this time, in general evangelizing among the Jews, adapting his stay at a given point, and his change of place, to the exigencies of the cause. The restoration of Dorcas, doubtless, opened a wide field for usefulness in the surrounding community, (43) "_ and he tarried many... [ Continue Reading ]