Chapter 13—Days of Preparation
This chapter is based on
Acts 9:19-30
.
After his baptism, Paul broke his fast and remained “certain days
with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he
preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.” Boldly
he declared Jesus of Nazareth to be the long-looked-for Messiah, who
“died for our sins according to the Scriptures; ... was buried, and ...
rose again the third day,” after which He was seen by the Twelve and
by others. “And last of all,” Paul added, “He was seen of me also, as
of one born out of due time.”
1 Corinthians 15:3, 4, 8
. His arguments
from prophecy were so conclusive, and his efforts were so manifestly
attended by the power of God, that the Jews were confounded and
unable to answer him.
The news of Paul’s conversion had come to the Jews as a great
surprise. He who had journeyed to Damascus “with authority and
commission from the chief priests” (
Acts 26:12
) to apprehend and
persecute the believers was now preaching the gospel of a crucified
[124]
and risen Saviour, strengthening the hands of those who were already
its disciples, and continually bringing in new converts to the faith he
had once so bitterly opposed.
Paul had formerly been known as a zealous defender of the Jewish
religion and an untiring persecutor of the followers of Jesus. Coura-
geous, independent, persevering, his talents and training would have
enabled him to serve in almost any capacity. He could reason with
extraordinary clearness, and by his withering sarcasm could place an
opponent in no enviable light. And now the Jews saw this young man
of unusual promise united with those whom he formerly persecuted,
and fearlessly preaching in the name of Jesus.
A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but his death gives no
additional strength to the enemy. But when a man of prominence joins
the opposing force, not only are his services lost, but those to whom he
joins himself gain a decided advantage. Saul of Tarsus, on his way to
82