THE CONVERSION OF ST. PAUL Although St. Paul was not one of the Twelve Apostles, yet, on account of his great missionary work among the Gentiles, he was called the Apostle of the Gentiles. As a young man, he did everything in his power to hinder the progress of Christianity. For, we read in the Acts of the Apostles that "Saul made havoc in the Church, entering in from house to house, and, dragging away men and women, committed them to prison." He was not satisfied. with ferreting out the followers of Christ in his own locality, but even went to strange cities. It was during a journey to Damascus that he was converted to Christianity in a most marvelous manner. His subsequent missionary journeys, his remarkable speeches, his beautiful epistles, his imprisonment and barbarous death show him to be one of the greatest apostles of the Church. Saul, as yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, and asked of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any men and women who believed in Jesus Christ, he might bring them to Jerusalem. As he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew nigh to Damascus; and suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him. And, falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying to him: "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou Me?" Saul answered: "Who art Thou, Lord?" The Lord replied, "I am Jesus Whom thou persecutest." Saul, trembling and astonished, said: "Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?" The Lord then said to him: "Arise, and go into the city, and there it shall be told thee what thou must do." Now the men who went in company with him, stood amazed, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. But they, leading him by the hands, brought him to Damascus. And he was there for three days without sight; neither did he eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision: "Ananias." He answered: "Behold I am here, Lord." The Lord then said to him: "Arise, and go into the street that is called Strait, and seek, in the house of Judas, one named Saul of Tarsus. For behold he prayeth." Ananias answered: "Lord, I have heard of this man from many-how much evil he hath done to Thy saints in Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that invoke Thy Name." The Lord said to him: "Go thy way; for this man is to Me a vessel of election, to carry My Name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for My Name's sake." Ananias went his way, and entered into the house. And laying his hands upon him, said: "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus hath sent me; He that appeared to thee in the way as thou camest; that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost." Immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and rising up, he was baptized. When he had taken meat, he was strengthened. He remained with the disciples that were at Damascus, for some days. During this time he preached Jesus in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. All that heard him, were astonished, and said: "Is not this he who persecuted in Jerusalem those that called upon His Name: and came hither for that intent, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests?" But Saul increased much more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, affirming that this is the Christ. And when many days were passed, the Jews consulted together to kill him. But their laying in wait was made known to Saul. They even watched the gates, day and night, that they might kill him. But the disciples taking him in the night, lifted him upon the wall, and let him down in a basket. When Saul was come into Jerusalem, he essayed to join himself to the disciples. They were afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, brought him to the apostles, and told them how Saul had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken to him; and how in Damascus he had dealt confidently in the Name of Jesus. THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES. AIDS TO STUDY Damascus (Dă măs′kés), the chief epistles (è pis'lz), letters. Gentiles (Jěn'tilz), those not Jewish in nationality or faith. havoc (hǎv'ok), destruction, waste. intent (în tent'), purpose, object. synagogue (sin'à gog), the Jewish house of prayer. 1. Why is St. Paul called an apostle? 2. What is most remarkable about his conversion? 3. Give an account of his life before he was converted. 4. What part did Ananias have in Saul's conversion? 5. When the disciples of our Lord feared Saul, who came to his assistance? 6. Name four things which place him among the greatest apostles of the Church. 7. What part did Saul take in the stoning to death of St. Stephen? 8. Why is he called the Apostle of the Gentiles? 9. When was his name changed (Acts xiii, 9)? 10. Two or more words which have the same sound but different meaning are called homonyms, for example, rain, rein, reign. 11. Give the homonyms for here, there, seen, gate, made, sight, might, see, way, strait. Expressions for study: breathing out threatenings ferreting out go thy way made havoc in the Church vessel of election In this account of St. Paul's conversion, we have an illustration of the change that may be brought about in a man's character by God's grace. 1. What kind of man was Paul before he became converted? 2. What did he say and do that proves this? 3. What did people think of him? 4. Where do we find this stated in the selection? 5. What was the new idea or understanding that came to Paul through this miracle? 6. What change did it make immediately in his character? 7. What statements in the selection show this change? 8. Do you know of any case in which the character of a man has been suddenly changed? 9. What was the cause of the change? 10. Write the circumstances briefly. VIRTUE Love Virtue; she alone is free, JOHN MILTON. |
