Conversion of Saul
17
he had assigned him, but sent him for instruction to the very disciples
whom he had so bitterly persecuted.
The marvelous light that illuminated 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 of Christ. The answer to Saul’s question is,
“Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must
do.” Jesus sends the inquiring Jew to his church, to obtain from them
a knowledge of his duty. Christ performed the work of revelation and
conviction; and now the penitent was in a condition to learn of those
whom God had ordained to teach his truth. Thus Jesus gave sanction
to the authority of his organized church, and placed Saul in connection
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with his representatives on earth. The light of heavenly illumination
deprived Saul of sight; but Jesus, the great Healer, did not at once
restore it. All blessings flow from Christ, but he had now established a
church as his representative on earth, and to it belonged the work of
directing the repentant sinner in the way of life. The very men whom
Saul had purposed to destroy were to be his instructors in the religion
he had despised and persecuted.
The faith of Saul was severely tested during the three days of
fasting and prayer at the house of Judas, in Damascus. He was totally
blind, and in utter darkness of mind as to what was required of him.
He had been directed to go to Damascus, where it would be told him
what he was to do. In his uncertainty and distress he cried earnestly to
God. “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias;
and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold,
I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the
street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for
one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a
vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him,
that he might receive his sight.”
Ananias could hardly credit the words of the angel messenger,
for Saul’s bitter persecution of the saints at Jerusalem had spread far
and near. He presumed to expostulate; said he, “Lord, I have heard
by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at
Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all
that call on thy name.” But the command to Ananias was imperative:
“Go thy way, for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before
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the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.”