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the rejection of Jesus as the promised Messiah。 To his enlightened vision
all now seemed plain。 He knew that his former prejudice and unbelief had
clouded his spiritual perception and had prevented him from discerning in
Jesus of Nazareth the Messiah of prophecy。
As Saul yielded himself fully to the convicting power of the Holy Spirit； he
saw the mistakes of his life and recognized the far…reaching claims of the
law of God。 He who had been a proud Pharisee； confident that he was
justified by his good works； now bowed before God with the humility and
simplicity of a little child； confessing his own unworthiness and pleading
the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour。 Saul longed to come into full
harmony and communion with the Father and the Son； and in the intensity of
his
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desire for pardon and acceptance he offered up fervent supplications to the
throne of grace。
The prayers of the penitent Pharisee were not in vain。 The inmost thoughts
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。
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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
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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。
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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
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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
an