A. On the posteriority of the Council of Jerusalem, &c. 141 B. On the early Date of the Epistle to the Galatians - 146 C. On the Vision and the Thorn in the Flesh PART I. THE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL PRIOR TO HIS FIRST APOSTOLIC PROGRESS. SAUL BEFORE HIS CONVERSION. ROM. xi. 1. An Israelite, of the seed of Abraham of the tribe of Benjamin. PHILIP. iii. 5. Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews, as touching the law a Pharisee; 6. Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. ACTS xxii. 3. I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus (xxi. 39. a city in Cilicia; a citizen of no mean city) – yet brought up in this city (Jerusalem) at the feet of Gamaliel (for whose reputation and wisdom, see AсTS, ch. v. 34...39.), and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. A. vii. 55. Stephen, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus`standing on the right hand of God. 56. And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. 57. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, B ACTS vi. 58. And cast him out of the city, and stoned him and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge! And when he had said this, he fell asleep. A. xxii. 20. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him. A. viii. 1. And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. 2. And certain good and pious men (see NoTE) carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him. 3. As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house; and haling men and women, committed them to prison. 4. Therefore they that were scattered abroad, went every where preaching the word. THE CONVERSION OF SAUL. ACTS ix. 1. And Saul yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, ACTS ix. 2. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, (that is, several, for Damascus abounded in a Jewish population,) that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. 3. And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus ; and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven : 4. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5. And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. 6. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no man. 8. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. 9. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. 10. And there was a certain disciple (a Christian convert) at Damascus, named Ananias: and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. 11. 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, 12. And hath seen in vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might recover his sight. |