729. ACT 7:58. SAUL OF TARSUS. [NO. I.]

Act_7:58. Saul of Tarsus. [No. I.]

"And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul."’97Act_7:58.

Our text contains the first reference in the sacred writings to Saul of Tarsus, a man who was destined to be one of the most illustrious of Christian apostles. Yet here he is introduced to us under circumstances most unfavorable to his moral and religious character.

A mob of infuriated bigots are stoning to death one of the most eminent of Christ’s disciples’97the holy Stephen’97whose discourse had convicted them of rejecting the word of God, and hardening their hearts against the Holy Ghost. "When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart," &c.; Act_7:54, &c. The subject of our text consented to this cruel atrocity, and held the clothes of those who actually stoned Stephen to death.

Let us, at present, look at the history of Saul, up to the period of his conversion.

Notice,

I. His parentage and birthplace.

His parents were Jews, by lineage and profession. Hence he styles himself, "a Hebrew of the Hebrews." Neither of them were proselytes. They belonged to the tribe of Benjamin. Some of the learned fathers think the ancient prophecy of Benjamin is especially fulfilled in Saul of Tarsus. Gen_49:27. His birthplace was Tarsus, the metropolis of Cilicia. A wealthy and flourishing city. Celebrated also for its proficiency in the arts and literature. It is said that both Athens and Rome were beholden to it for many of their illustrious scholars. It was a Roman municipal or free corporation, to which both Julius Caesar and Augustus granted many distinguished immunities and privileges. Observe,

II. His early life and education.

As a native of Tarsus, he was favored with many distinguished privileges. Yet according to the great maxim of the Jews, he was trained to a lawful trade, that he might have the means of earning his own livelihood. Saul was a tent-maker. It was a proverb with the Jews, that, "he who teaches not his son a trade, teaches him to be a thief." Hence a manual trade was an essential part of education. Labor should ever be respected and dignified. Parents should consult especially three things in giving their children a trade:’97

(1.) That it should be in accordance with the genius and powers of the child.

(2.) That it should be honest; and not likely to injure our fellowmen in body, soul, or estate.

(3.) That it should not be unfavorable to piety; but one on which God’s blessing could be sought.

At that trade Saul worked, even after he had been installed in the apostle’s office.

His education was evidently liberal. Having obtained all the instruction that his native city could confer, he was sent to Jerusalem to study the law, under one of the great Rabbins of the day. Act_22:3.

Gamaliel was the president of the Sanhedrim’97an illustrious teacher’97and eminently celebrated for his wisdom and prudence. He it was that made that excellent speech in favor of the apostles. See Act_5:33, &c. Here Saul became perfected in the principles of the moral laws of his religion, and an expert casuist in all the technicalities thereof.

Observe,

III. The moral and religious character of Saul.

1. He was a Pharisee.

The Pharisees were the strictest sect of the Jews. Exact in maintaining all the points of orthodox belief, and in fulfilling the minuti’e6 of the law. Regular in all observances. Exceeding the legitimate demand in tithes, &c. Scrupulous in their intercourse with society. Punctual in religious services. But their religion was adulterated with the most pernicious elements of pride, ostentation, and parade. It was chiefly external. It was not inward, and spiritual, and real. It lacked sincerity, humility, and mercy. It was awfully mingled with deceit, avarice, and hypocrisy; yet, bad and corrupt as it was, it was the best religion of the times; and, doubtless, there were many truly godly persons identified with it. Saul’s account of his religious character as a Pharisee, is very minute. Php_3:4, &c.

But observe, with all this, he was,

2. A cruel bigot.

Persecuting the followers of Christ. Act_22:1-5. He refers to it also, 1Ti_1:12, &c. So it is described by Luke; Act_9:1, &c.

What a combination of elements! Light and darkness’97religion and impiety’97zeal for God, and hatred to men. What earnestness in a bad cause! What devotedness to cruelty! &c. How odious such a state of mind! and all this while he was young. A ravening wolf, &c. Here we see Saul in his original, unchanged character,’97the enemy of Christ, and the persecutor of his people.

Consider,

IV. His extraordinary conversion.

Here several things can only just be glanced at. Observe,

1. His actual engagements at the time. He was on a mission of persecution and cruelty. See Act_8:1; Act_9:1. In the very midst of his mad opposition to Jesus and his cause.

2. His conversion was miraculous.

In the prints of the old masters, Saul is generally described as on horseback, with the extraordinary light bursting on his path, and a voice addressing him’97"Saul, Saul," Act_9:3.

Now this was not an illusion. For those with Saul heard the voice, and were speechless with astonishment; Act_9:7.

Saul is overwhelmed’97falls to the earth’97hears the voice, and asks, "Who art thou, Lord," &c. And then the reply is given, "I am Jesus," &c.; Act_9:5. Saul now is convinced. Becomes an inquiring penitent. And he trembling, said, "Lord, what wilt thou," &c.; Act_9:6. Divine direction is given; Act_9:6. He is affected powerfully in body and mind; Act_9:9. Ananias, as a preacher of consolation, is sent to him; Act_9:10, &c.

3. The reality of his conversion is evident.

Observe what God says of him, Act_9:11 : "Behold, he prayeth!" Prayer is the certain sign of. the new life, &c. Before, he hated, blasphemed. Now, mark the change! "He prayeth." God vindicates this work, and thus shows,

4. The special end his conversion is to answer.

Act_9:13, &c. And now observe,

5. The profession of his conversion is made.

In connection with the visit of Ananias, he receives his sight’97is filled with the Holy Ghost’97and is immediately baptized. See his own account. Act_22:12, &c.

Here we pause in the history of Saul of Tarsus.

Learn,’97

1. The power of religious prejudice and bigotry.

It can hate, blaspheme, and put to death.

2. The superior power of Divine grace. It can arrest, convict, and humble, and save.

3. The transforming influence of religion on the soul.

Now Saul will be a light to the world’97a friend to man’97and a brother of all the disciples’97a consecrated servant of Jesus. Such are the effects of true religion, always, on the heart and life.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS