From Persecutor to Disciple
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the humility and simplicity of a little child, confessing his own unwor-
thiness and pleading the merits of a crucified and risen Saviour. Saul
longed to come into full harmony and communion with the Father and
the Son; and in the intensity of his desire for pardon and acceptance
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he offered up fervent supplications to the throne of grace.
The prayers of the penitent Pharisee were not in vain. The inmost
thoughts and emotions of his heart were transformed by divine grace;
and his nobler faculties were brought into harmony with the eternal
purposes of God. Christ and His righteousness became to Saul more
than the whole world.
The conversion of Saul is a striking evidence of the miraculous
power of the Holy Spirit to convict men of sin. He had verily believed
that Jesus of Nazareth had disregarded the law of God and had taught
His disciples that it was of no effect. But after his conversion, Saul
recognized Jesus as the one who had come into the world for the
express purpose of vindicating His Father’s law. He was convinced
that Jesus was the originator of the entire Jewish system of sacrifices.
He saw that at the crucifixion type had met antitype, that Jesus had
fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies concerning the Redeemer of
Israel.
In the record of the conversion of Saul important principles are
given us, which we should ever bear in mind. Saul was brought directly
into the presence of Christ. He was one whom Christ intended for
a most important work, one who was to be a “chosen vessel” unto
Him; yet the Lord did not at once tell him of the work that had been
assigned him. He arrested him in his course and convicted him of sin;
but when Saul asked, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” the Saviour
placed the inquiring Jew in connection with His church, there to obtain
a knowledge of God’s will concerning him.
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The marvelous light that illumined the darkness of Saul was the
work of the Lord; but there was also a work that was to be done for
him by the disciples. Christ had performed the work of revelation and
conviction; and now the penitent was in a condition to learn from those
whom God had ordained to teach His truth.
While Saul in solitude at the house of Judas continued in prayer
and supplication, the Lord appeared in vision to “a certain disciple
at Damascus, named Ananias,” telling him that Saul of Tarsus was
praying and in need of help. “Arise, and go into the street which