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Chapter 37—The Conversion of Saul
This chapter is based on
Acts 9:1-22
.
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 a blasphemer; that Jesus Christ whom he preached was an im-
poster, 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 on 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 them by messengers to Jerusalem,
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there to be tried and punished. He set out on his way, full of the
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 his companions, was gazing and admiring, suddenly a light
above the brightness of the sun shone round about him, “and he fell
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