Chapter 23—Conversion of Saul
The mind of Saul was greatly stirred by the triumphant death of
Stephen. He was shaken in his prejudice; but the opinions and argu-
ments of the priests and rulers finally convinced him that Stephen was
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a blasphemer; that Jesus Christ whom he preached was an impostor,
and that those ministering in holy offices must be right. Being a man
of decided mind, and strong purpose, he became very bitter in his
opposition to Christianity, after having once entirely settled in his
mind that the views of the priests and scribes were right. His zeal
led him to voluntarily engage in persecuting the believers. He caused
holy men to be dragged before the councils, and to be imprisoned or
condemned to death without evidence of any offense, save their faith
in Jesus. Of a similar character, though in a different direction, was
the zeal of James and John, when they would have called down fire
from heaven to consume those who slighted and scorned their Master.
Saul was about to journey to Damascus upon his own business; but
he was determined to accomplish a double purpose, by searching out,
as he went, all the believers in Christ. For this purpose he obtained
letters from the high priest to read in the synagogues, which authorized
him to seize all those who were suspected of being believers in Jesus,
and to send by messengers to Jerusalem, there to be tried and punished.
He set out upon his way, full of strength and vigor of manhood, and
the fire of a mistaken zeal.
As the weary travelers neared Damascus, the eyes of Saul rested
with pleasure upon the fertile land, the beautiful gardens, the fruitful
orchards, and the cool streams that ran murmuring amid the fresh,
green shrubbery. It was very refreshing to look upon such a scene after
a long, wearisome journey over a desolate waste. While Saul, with
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his companions, was gazing and admiring, suddenly a light above the
brightness of the sun shone round about him, “and he fell to the earth,
and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou
me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus
whom thou persecutest; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”
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