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Sketches from the Life of Paul
Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.” He related
his own experience, and presented arguments from the Old-Testament
scriptures with simplicity, sincerity, and power. Upon some minds, at
least, his words made an impression which would never be effaced.
All who were honestly seeking for truth were convinced, as Paul spoke
of what he knew, and testified of what he had seen.
He showed that religion does not consist in rites and ceremonies,
creeds and theories. If it did, the natural man could understand it
by investigation, as he understands worldly things. Paul taught that
religion is a practical, saving energy, a principle wholly from God, a
personal experience of God’s renewing power upon the soul.
He showed how Moses had pointed Israel forward to Christ as that
Prophet whom they were to hear; how all the prophets had testified
of him as God’s great remedy for sin, the guiltless One who was to
bear the sins of the guilty. He did not find fault with their observance
of forms and ceremonies, but showed that while they maintained the
ritual service with great exactness, they were rejecting Him who was
the antitype of all that system.
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He declared that in his unconverted state he had known Christ
after the flesh, not by personal acquaintance, but by the conceptions
which he, in common with others, cherished concerning his character
and work. He had rejected Jesus of Nazareth as an impostor because
he did not fulfill these expectations. But since Paul’s conversion, his
views of Christ and his mission were far more spiritual and exalted
than the Jewish conception of the long-promised Messiah. He asserted
that he did not present to them Christ after the flesh. Herod had seen
Christ in the days of his humanity; Annas had seen him; Pilate and
the chief priests and rulers had seen him; the Roman soldiers had seen
him. But these had not seen him with an eye of faith, and discerned
him spiritually as the glorified Redeemer. To apprehend Christ by
faith, to have a spiritual knowledge of him, was more to be desired
than a personal acquaintance with him as he appeared on earth. The
communion with Christ which Paul now enjoyed, was more intimate
and more enduring than a mere earthly and human companionship.
Some of Paul’s hearers eagerly received the truth, but others stub-
bornly refused to be convinced. The testimony of the Scriptures was
presented before them by one who was their equal in learning and their
superior in mental power, and who had the special illumination of the