"And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied."
Today's lesson relates how Saul (Paul), after having believed in Jesus Christ and having received the Holy Ghost, went on to Damascus and stayed with members of the Church there.
When Saul began to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ in the synagogues, some of the the local Christians were skeptical and still feared him because of the horrible torment he had brought upon them.
These events marked the beginning of Paul's glorious and earth altering ministry to both the Gentiles and the Jews. This lesson also marks the beginning of the conspiracy among the hierarchy of the Jews to kill him.
(NOTE: We should remember that Saul (Paul) was a devout Jew as well as a disciplined Roman citizen soldier. His conversion to Christianity was a shock to everyone throughout the region.)
When Saul (Paul) eventually returned to Jerusalem, and until Barnabas, a well known and trusted Christian, personally took him the Apostles, they too refused to have anything to do with him out of fear of his intent.
The last part of this lesson tells us how, after Saul had converted and given up his determination to destroy Christianity, there was peace and freedom for the Christian disciples.Through their ceaseless work, including the powerful evangelism of Paul, the Church expanded rapidly.~
No comments:
Post a Comment