The Acts of the Apostles (1911) — PDF Scan 123

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FROM PERSECUTOR TO DISCIPLE 117 ended the matter by avowing his belief that Jesus was not the Messiah, and that His followers were deluded fanatics. Now Christ had spoken to Saul with His own voice, saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me!" And the question, "Who art Thou, LordT' was answered by the same voice, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest." Christ here identifies Himself with His people. In persecuting the followers of Jesus, Saul had struck directly against the Lord of heaven. In falsely accusing and testif^^ing against them, he had falsely accused and testified against the Saviour of the world. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the One who spoke to him was Jesus of Nazareth, the longlooked-for Messiah, the Consolation and Eedeemer of Israel. "Trembling and astonished," he inquired, "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do! And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." When the glory was withdrawn, and Saul arose from the ground, he found himself totally deprived of sight. The brightness of Christ's glory had been too intense for his mortal eyes; and when it was removed, the blackness of night settled upon his vision. He believed that this blindness was a punishment from God for his cruel persecution of the followers of Jesus. In terrible darkness he groped about, and his companions, in fear and amazement, "led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus." On the morning of that eventful day, Saul had neared Damascus with feelings of self-satisfaction because of the confidence that had been placed in him by the chief priests. To him had been entrusted