for of a truth in this city against thy holy Servant Jesus, whom thou didst anoint, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the peoples of Israel, were gathered together, to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel foreordained to come to pass. And now, Lord, look upon their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, while thou stretchest forth thy hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of thy holy Servant Jesus."
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken wherein they were gathered together; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
III
ANANIAS AND SAPPHIRA
A Lie and its Consequences.
(The people began to have such an enthusiasm for the new faith, that many of them sold their property, gave the money to the apostles, and all lived together, like one great family. This custom was not altogether wise, and it did not prevail long. While it lasted, disaster came to two people. Ananias and Sapphira had become disciples of the new faith, and, like others, sold their property, but they kept back part, and tried to make the apostles believe that they had given all. The sin lay, not in keeping their property, for no one was required to give it up, but in the deceit.)
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and soul: and not one of them said that anything of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common. And with great power gave the apostles their witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. For neither was there among them any that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, and laid them at the apostles' feet: and distribution was made unto each, according as anyone had need.
But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also knowing about it, and brought a certain part, {336} and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, "Ananias, why hath Satan filled thy heart to lie to the Holy Spirit, and to keep back part of the price of the land? While it remained, did it not remain thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thy power? How is it that thou hast conceived this thing in thy heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God."
And Ananias hearing these words fell down and gave up his spirit: and great fear came upon all that heard it. And the young men arose and wrapped him round, and they carried him out and buried him.
And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter said unto her, "Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much."
And she said, "Yea, for so much."
But Peter said unto her, "How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and they shall carry thee out."
And she fell down immediately at his feet, and gave up her spirit: and the young men came in and found her dead, and they carried her out and buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon the whole church, and upon all that heard these things.
ST. STEPHEN'S GATE, JERUSALEM.
LOOKING IN TOWARD THE CITY.
From a photograph belonging to Prof. H. G. Mitchell, and used by his kind permission
IV
THE FIRST MARTYR
How Stephen Died Heroically for the New Faith.
The Beginning of Persecution.
The Sermon of Stephen. The Martyr's Crown.
(The new faith was not destined to win its victories in peace. As the rulers hated Jesus, so they hated the new faith which was now proclaimed in his name; as they crucified the Master, so they persecuted and killed the disciples. Stephen was the first of "the noble army of martyrs," thousands of men, women, and children, who gave their lives gladly for the new faith. It was an army without weapons. The command of Jesus, "resist not evil," was, in the first centuries, obeyed literally. It is worthy of note that the new faith never spread more rapidly nor won greater victories than during these years, when it never lifted sword against its enemies, but conquered them by the power of service and sacrifice.)
And Stephen, who had become prominent among the disciples, was full of grace and power, and wrought great wonders and signs among the people. But certain of the Jews disputed with Stephen. And they were not able to withstand the wisdom and the Spirit by which he spoke. Then they bribed men, who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God."
And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes, and came upon him, and seized him, and brought him into the council, and set up false witnesses, who said, {340} "This man ceaseth not to speak words against this holy place; and the law: for we have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered unto us."
And all that sat in the council, fastening their eyes on him, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel.
The Defense of Stephen.
And the high priest said, "Are these things so?"
And he said, "Brethren and fathers, hearken. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Haran, and said unto him, 'Get thee out of thy land, and from thy kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee.' Then came he out of the land of the Chaldaeans, and dwelt in Haran: and from thence, when his father was dead, God removed him into this land, wherein ye now dwell: and he gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set his foot on: and he promised that he would give it to him in possession, and to his family after him, when as yet he had no child. And God spoke in this wise, that his family should sojourn in a strange land, and that the people of that land should bring them into bondage, and ill treat them four hundred years. 'And the nation to which they shall be in bondage will I judge,' said God: 'and after that shall they come forth, and serve me in this place.' And the patriarchs, moved with jealousy against Joseph, sold him into Egypt: and God was with him, and delivered him out of all his afflictions, and gave him favor and wisdom before {341} Pharaoh, king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his house. Now there came a famine over all Egypt and Canaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance. But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent forth our fathers the first time. And at the second time Joseph was made known to his brethren; and Joseph's family became known unto Pharaoh. And Joseph sent, and called to him Jacob his father, and all his kindred, threescore and fifteen souls. And Jacob went down into Egypt; and he died, himself, and our fathers; and they were carried over unto Shechem, and laid in the tomb that Abraham bought for a price in silver of the sons of Hamor in Shechem.
"But as the time of the promise drew nigh, which God promised to Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, till there arose another king over Egypt, who knew not Joseph. The same dealt craftily with our race, and compelled our fathers to cast out their babes to the end they might not live. At this season Moses was born, and was exceeding fair; and he was nourished three months in his father's house: and when he was cast out, Pharaoh's daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.
"And Moses was instructed in all the wisdom of the Egyptians; and he was mighty in his words and works. But when he was well-nigh forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, smiting the Egyptian: {342} and he supposed that his brethren understood that God by his hand was giving them deliverance; but they understood not. And the day following he appeared unto them as they strove, and would have made peace, saying, 'Sirs, ye are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another?' But he that did his neighbor wrong thrust him away, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Wouldest thou kill me as thou killedst the Egyptian yesterday?'
"And Moses fled at this saying, and became a sojourner in the land of Midian, where he had two sons. And when forty years were passed, an angel appeared to him in the wilderness of Mount Sinai, in a flame of fire in a bush. And when Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew near to behold, there came a voice of the Lord, 'I am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob.'
"And Moses trembled, and dared not behold. And the Lord said unto him, 'Loose the shoes from thy feet: for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground. I have surely seen the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and have heard their groaning, and I am come down to deliver them: and now come, I will send thee into Egypt.'
"This Moses whom they refused, saying, 'Who made thee a ruler and a judge?' him hath God sent to be both a ruler and a deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. This man led them forth, having wrought wonders and signs in Egypt, and in the Red Sea, and in the wilderness forty years.
"This is that Moses, who said to the children of Israel, {343} 'A prophet shall God raise up unto you from among your brethren, like unto me.' This is he that was in the wilderness with the angel which spoke to him in the Mount Sinai, and with our fathers: who received living oracles to give unto us: to whom our fathers would not be obedient, but thrust him from them, and turned back in their hearts unto Egypt, saying unto Aaron, 'Make us gods which shall go before us: for as for this Moses, who led us forth out of the land of Egypt, we know not what has become of him.' And they made a calf in those days, and brought a sacrifice unto the idol, and rejoiced in the works of their hands. But God turned, and gave them up to serve idols.
"Our fathers had the tabernacle of the testimony in the wilderness, even as he appointed who spoke unto Moses, that he should make it according to the figure that he had seen. Which also our fathers, in their turn, brought in with Joshua when they entered on the possession of the nations, which God thrust out before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; who found favor in the sight of God, and asked to find a habitation for the God of Jacob. But Solomon built him a house. Howbeit the Most High dwelleth not in houses made by hands; as saith the prophet,--
"Ye stiffnecked and unregenerate in heart and ears, ye {344} do always resist the Holy Spirit: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which one of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? and they killed them which showed before of the coming of the Righteous One; of whom ye have now become betrayers and murderers; ye who received the law as it was ordained by angels, and kept it not."
Martyrdom.
Now when they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they raged against him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, and said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
But they cried out with aloud voice, and stopped their ears, and rushed upon him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon the Lord, and saying, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."
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. And Saul was consenting unto his death.
And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church which was in Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles. And devout men buried {345} Stephen, and made great lamentation over him. But Saul laid waste the church, entering into every house, and dragging out men and women committed them to prison.
(The martyrdom of Stephen gave a fresh impulse to the new faith. The disciples had been content to stay in Jerusalem, and preach to their own people. But persecution drove them out of the city, so that the gospel came to a wider circle of hearers. We shall see, as the story goes on, how Philip was directed to the officer of Queen Candace, and how Peter, against his will, at first, was sent to the Roman captain. So the new faith broadened, not as the apostles planned, but as God willed.)
V
SIMON THE SORCERER
The New Faith Spreads. The Story of the Man of Samaria
Who Wished to Use It for His Own Selfish Advantage.
They therefore that were scattered abroad went about preaching the word. And Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and proclaimed unto them the Christ. And the multitudes gave heed with one accord unto the things that were spoken by Philip, when they heard, and saw the signs which he did. For from many of those who had unclean spirits, those spirits came out, crying with a loud voice: and many that were palsied, and that were lame, were healed. And there was much joy in that city.
But there was a certain man, Simon by name, who before this in the city used sorcery, and amazed the people of Samaria, claiming that he himself was some great one: to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, "This man is that power of God which is called Great."
And they gave heed to him, because for a long time he had amazed them with his sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching good tidings concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. And Simon also himself {347} believed: and being baptized, he continued with Philip; and beholding signs and great miracles wrought, he was amazed.
Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Spirit: for as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they had been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. Now when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, "Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay my hands, he may receive the Holy Spirit."
But Peter said unto him, "Thy silver perish with thee, because thou hast thought to obtain the gift of God with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right before God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray the Lord, if perhaps the thought of thy heart shall be forgiven thee. For I see that thou art in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity."
And Simon answered and said, "Pray ye for me to the Lord, that none of the things which ye have spoken come upon me."
VI
PHILIP AND THE QUEEN'S OFFICER
How the New Faith Came to a Servant of a Queen.
An angel of the Lord spoke unto Philip, saying, "Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza: into the desert."
And he arose and went: and behold, a man of Ethiopia, an officer of great authority under Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was over all her treasure, who had come to Jerusalem to worship; and he was returning and sitting in his chariot, and was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said unto Philip, "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot."
And Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, "Understandest thou what thou readest?"
And he said, "How can I, except some one shall guide me?" And he besought Philip to come up and sit with him.
Now the place of the scripture which he was reading was this,--
And the officer said to Philip, "I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other?"
And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this passage of scripture, preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the officer saith, "Behold, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the officer, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the officer saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached the gospel to all the cities, till he came to Caesarea.
VII
PETER AND DORCAS
How Peter Restored a Good Woman to Life.
And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, that is, Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and deeds of charity which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber. And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, intreating him, "Delay not to come on unto us."
And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, arise."
And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up. And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the disciples and widows, he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord. And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
GENERAL VIEW OF LYDDA
From a photograph belonging to Miss Julia W. Snow, and used by her
kind permission.
Lydda, the ancient Lod, is a village in the plain of Sharon, ten miles southeast of Joppa. It was an important town in early days, being on the caravan route between the East and Egypt, and a place where the caravans rested and refitted. It was thus the center of a considerable business. It was here that Peter healed Aeneas, and from this place he was summoned to Joppa by the death of Dorcas.
VIII
PETER AND THE ROMAN CAPTAIN.
Peter's Vision. How a Valuable Recruit Was Enlisted for the New Faith.
Now there was a certain man in Caesarea, Cornelius by name, a centurion of the company called the Italian company, a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, who gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision about the ninth hour of the day, an angel of God coming in unto him, and saying to him, "Cornelius."
And he, fastening his eyes upon him, and being afraid, said, "What is it, Lord?"
And he said unto him, "Thy prayers and thine alms are gone up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and bring one Simon, who is surnamed Peter: he lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side."
And when the angel that spoke unto him was departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier of his body guard, and having told all things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour: and he became hungry, {354} and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; and he beheld the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And there came a voice to him, saying, "Rise, Peter; kill and eat."
But Peter said, "Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean."
And a voice came unto him again the second time, "What God hath cleansed, make not thou common."
And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven.
Now while Peter was much perplexed as to what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon's house, stood before the gate, and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there. And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, "Behold, three men seek thee. But arise, and get thee down, and go with them, nothing doubting: for I have sent them."
And Peter went down to the men, and said, "Behold, I am he whom ye seek: why are ye come?"
And they said, "Cornelius a centurion, a righteous man and one that feareth God, and well reported of by all the nation of the Jews, was warned of God by a holy angel to send for thee to come to his house, and to hear words from thee." So he called them in and lodged them.
And on the morrow he arose and went forth with them, and certain of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him. And on the morrow they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, having called together his kinsmen and his near friends. And when Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshiped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, "Stand up; I myself also am a man."
And as he talked with him, he went in, and found many come together: and he said unto them, "Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath God showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: wherefore also I came without doubting, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me."
And Cornelius said, "Four days ago, until this hour, I was keeping the ninth hour of prayer in my house; and behold, a man stood before me in bright apparel, and said, 'Cornelius, thy prayer is heard, and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. Send therefore to Joppa, and call unto thee Simon, who is surnamed Peter; he lodgeth in the house of Simon a tanner, by the sea side.' Forthwith therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore we are all here present in the sight of God, to hear all things that have been commanded thee of the Lord."
And Peter opened his mouth, and said, "Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons: but in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is {356} acceptable to him. The word which he sent unto the children of Israel, preaching good tidings of peace by Jesus Christ (he is Lord of all)--that saying ye yourselves know, which was published throughout all Judaea, beginning from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached; about Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power: how he went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him. And we are witnesses of all things which be did both in the country of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom also they slew, hanging him on a tree. Him God raised up the third day, and showed him, not to all the people, but unto witnesses that were chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. And he charged us to preach unto the people, and to testify that this is he who is ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him bear all the prophets witness, that through his name everyone that believeth on him shall receive remission of sins."
While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all them which heard the word. And the Jews who believed were amazed, as many as came with Peter, because on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Spirit. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.
Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid the water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we?"
And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
IX
THE FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEYS
How the Disciples at Last Began to Understand the Meaning of the
Command of Jesus, "Go Ye into All the World."
Now the apostles and the brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, the Jews contended with him, saying, "Thou wentest in to the Gentiles, and didst eat with them."
But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, "I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I heard also a voice saying unto me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'Not so, Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth.' But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, 'What God hath cleansed, make not thou common.' And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent {358} from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man's house: and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, 'Send to Joppa, and bring Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.' And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lord, how he said, 'John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit.' If then God gave unto them the same gift that he gave unto us, when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I, that I could withstand God?"
And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, "Then to the Gentiles also hath God granted repentance unto life."
They therefore that were scattered abroad after the trouble that arose about Stephen, traveled as far as Phoenicia, and Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to none save only to Jews. But there were some of them, men of Cyprus and Cyrene, who, when they were come to Antioch, spoke unto the Greeks also, preaching the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number that believed turned unto the Lord.
X
PETER IN PRISON
How Peter Was Cast into Prison, and How He Escaped
the Hatred of Herod.
Now about that time Herod the king put forth his hands to afflict certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. And when he had taken him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to guard him; intending after the Passover to bring him forth to the people. Peter therefore was kept in the prison: but prayer was made earnestly by the church unto God for him. And when Herod was about to bring him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and guards before the door kept the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the cell: and he smote Peter on the side, and awoke him, saying, "Rise up quickly."
And his chains fell from his hands. And the angel said unto him, "Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals." And he did so.
And he said unto him, "Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me."
And he went out, and followed; and he knew not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision.
And when they were past the first and the second guard, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth into the city; which opened to them of its own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and straightway the angel departed from him. And when Peter was come to himself, he said, "Now I know of a truth, that the Lord hath sent forth his angel and delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews."
And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together and were praying. And when he knocked at the door of the gate, a maid come to answer, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for joy, but ran in, and told that Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, "Thou art mad." But she confidently affirmed that it was even so. And they said, "It is his angel."
But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened, they saw him, and were amazed. But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him forth out of the prison. And he said, "Tell these things unto James, and to the brethren."
And he departed, and went to another place. Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the {361} soldiers, what was become of Peter. And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the guards, and commanded that they should be put to death. And Peter went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and tarried there.
ST. PAUL
By Raphael (1483-1520)
THE SHIPWRECK--PAUL AND THE ROMAN CENTURION <
"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer, for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship."
And as the shipmen were about to flee out of the ship, when they had let the boat into the sea . . . Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, "Except these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved."
PAUL THE APOSTLE
Now there enters into our story one whose life by any standard of measurement, in its boldness and audacity of plan, in its brilliancy of achievement, in its personal courage and daring, compares favorably with that of any of the heroes of history,--Paul the Apostle. In many respects he resembled the modern successful man of business, the captain of industry, except that his work was done with a purely unselfish motive, loyalty to Jesus Christ and love for his fellowmen.
Paul was born in the Roman city of Tarsus, which is beautifully situated at the mouth of the river Cydnus. It was a city full of delight for an adventurous boy. There was the river sweeping down cold and clear from its mountain snows, the harbor with its great basins and stone quays and the shipping from every land. How Paul must have loved to linger on those wharves, watching the ships and the merchandise and hearing the songs of the sailors. In later days he always loved the city and the sea. He was never far away from them; never far distant from the smell of the sea breeze and the blue waters of the Mediterranean; very often he sailed on those waters, and more than once suffered shipwreck. He was a freeborn Roman, that is, he was so {368} fortunate as to have been born in a free city. A free Roman city had all the political rights and privileges of the city of Rome itself. This distinction was eagerly sought after, and was often bought with a large price by men who did not possess it by birth. When Paul was a lad he was sent away to Jerusalem to school, where he was taught by one of the most famous teachers. But Paul was always more Roman than Jewish in the actual experiences of his life. When the first persecutions of the Christians began, Saul, for that was his name then, was chosen by the high priest for this work. Everything he did, he did with his might. He gave the Christians no rest, he hunted them from village to village, from house to house, because he thought this was his duty. He was on one of these expeditions, riding hard to Damascus, when he had a vision of Jesus, who called to him and demanded the reason for the persecutions. Blinded by the vision he fell from his horse, and when he came to himself he was a changed man. Some time he spent in solitude, thinking the matter out and preparing for the new life. Then he came out ready to do anything and go anywhere for the Master. The time was ripe for a man of his ability, his boldnesss, and his knowledge of the world. A man was needed with those qualities which make a great general, to plan and execute the work. All the apostles were Jews, born in Palestine, men who had never traveled outside the narrow boundaries of their native land. They were naturally timid, and failed to realize at first the importance of the new faith as a {369} world power. Paul was the man for the crisis,--the hero who was destined to carry the new faith to the farther bounds of the empire. His great missionary journeys by land and sea are really campaigns. He had adventures without number, he was beaten and stoned, sometimes he was left on the ground for dead by those who thought they had at last put him out of the way. Often he went on his journey scarred and sore and bruised. The country over which he traveled is the most interesting and romantic in the world, the scene of the stories of mythology, the battle ground of armies. He sailed the seas which were furrowed by the keel of Homer's hero Ulysses. He visited the famous capitals of antiquity. He spoke in cultured Athens, the city of Socrates and Plato. He founded churches in Philippi, where Caesar won his great battle, and in Corinth, one of the richest and wickedest cities of all the Roman empire. He went to Rome, and there, even while in prison, he won for the new faith members of the royal household and officers of the imperial guard. We do not know certainly, but there are traditions to the effect that he visited Spain, and even found his way far beyond the "Pillars of Hercules" out upon the stormy Atlantic to Great Britain. It must not be supposed that he met with no opposition. Even among the members of the Christian church at Jerusalem he was bitterly opposed. There were many Jewish Christians who did not wish the new faith to spread beyond their own race, or if any so-called Gentiles became Christians they thought they should also become Jews. Paul believed that Jesus and his message {370} were for all alike, that it was a gospel of freedom, a new faith in truth, and his way prevailed. Paul at last, an old man, was beheaded, so it is believed, by the wicked Roman emperor Nero. Thus lived and died one of the greatest and most important characters in all history.
HOW PAUL THE PERSECUTOR LAID ASIDE THE
OLD LIFE AND TOOK UP THE NEW.
The Vision on the Road to Damascus. The Beginnings of Faith. Service
for the New Master.
But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of "the Way," whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven: and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?"
And he said, "Who art thou, Lord?"
And he said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."
And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, "Ananias."
And he said, "Behold, I am here, Lord."
And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go to Straight street, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth; and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight."
But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name."
But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake."
And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
And at once there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.
And he was certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And at once in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God. And all that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this that man who in Jerusalem made havoc of them who called on the name of Jesus? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests." But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.