Acts 9:3-19 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:… The three greatest facts in redemptive history in the order of time and importance are the advent of Christ, the outpouring of the Spirit, and the conversion of Saul. Consider Saul — I. AS AN ENEMY TO THE CAUSE OF CHRIST. His enmity was — 1. Intense, as we gather both from the narrative (ver. 1) and the man's character. He was a man of — (1) Strong intellect, which gave power to his passions. (2) Strong impulses, which gave force to every purpose. (3) Invincible conscientiousness, which led him to the greatest cruelty without flinching. 2. Practical. (1) He gets his persecuting plans legalised (ver. 2). (2) He prosecutes his commission. (a) Promptly. (b) Thoroughly (Acts 8:3). II. AS CONQUERED BY THE REVELATION OF CHRIST. 1. The nature of this revelation. (1) By symbol. "A light from heaven" — probably the Shekinah glory — not recognised as such by his companions, but seen by Saul to be the garment in which He clothed Himself whom Saul was persecuting. (2) By words. (a) In the same tongue in which He had conversed during His earthly ministry. (b) Emphatic. Jesus often used such repetitions, to fix attention. "Martha, Martha." "Simon, Simon." (c) Most exciting. "Why persecute Me? What injury have I done to thee?" 2. Its effects. It brought him — (1) Into conscious contact with Christ. (2) To a complete submission to the will of Christ. III. AS EXHIBITED IN THE SERVICE OF CHRIST (ver. 20). What a change is this! The messenger engaged to enlist Saul is here introduced. Ananias was especially selected and especially directed. Note here — 1. The reason assigned for the message received. Paul's prayer, which reached the heart of Christ, was answered in the mission of Ananias. 2. The manner in which the message was at first received. Reluctantly (vers, 13, 14). 3. The Divine argument with which the message was again urged (vers. 15, 16). Saul's subsequent history realised all that is here stated (Acts 25-27; 2 Corinthians 11:23-28). 4. The manner in which the message was carried out. (1) Affectionately. "Brother Saul." (2) Faithfully. Ananias does not go in his own name, but in Christ's. (3) Effectively. No remedies were applied, but the cure was perfect. (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: |
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