Paul's Conversion and Apostleship

Paul's Conversion and Apostleship
SAUL'S CONVERSION AND APOSTLESHIP
A Vindication of Christianity.
By T. M. CARNEY This Address delivered at Abilene Christian College, February 24, 1922. The Eighteenth Century was possibly the darkest period in England's religious history, since the time of the great men who gave their lives in the interest of what has been styled the Reformation. It was the age of the giant deists, agnostics, rationalists and unbelievers, "when all men of rank were thought to be infidels."

During this epoch making period with its unfavorable environments, as stated above, Lord Lyttleton and Gilbert West two of England's most prominent and powerful men, undertook to prove that the Bible was an imposture.

Mr. Lyttleton chose the conversion of Saul and Mr West the Resurrection of Christ for their subjects of criticism. After examining all the facts connected with said subjects, they came together, not as they had purposed in the beginning of their investigation, viz. to rejoice over their success in proving the Bible to be uninspired, but to lament over their own folly and to felicitate each other on their joint conviction that the Bible was the word of God.

I wonder if some of the so called higher critics of today, and of other days, have measured their intellects with such giants as Lyttleton and West and styled them as undergraduates. The conversion and Apostleship of St. Paul is, in itself alone, a most convincing story in behalf of Chris­tianity.

First. Let us now examine all the important facts concerning his conversion and Apostleship. In Acts 8 th Chapter we find Paul or Saul making "havoc of the Church, entering into every house, haling men and women and committing them to prison", but in Acts 9 Chapter, we begin with the real story of Apostle- ship and conversion, and also that which leads up to his conversion. 1. Here is Saul "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, going unto the high priest, desiring of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem."

"And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus, and suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" 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 goads." 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." Acts 9 :l-6.

Next Paul is accompanied by those who have jour­neyed thus far with him and led into Damascus. "And he was there three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias: and to him said the Lord in a vision, "Ananias", and he said, "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 hands on him that the might receive his sight." Then answered Ananias, "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 Priest to bind all that call upon thy name." But the Lord said unto him, "Go thy way: for he is a vessel chosen unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel". "For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake". "And Ananias went his way and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said. Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus that appeared to thee in the way as thou earnest, hath sent me that thou mighest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."

"And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had ben scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
"And when he had received meat he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

Again Luke in Acts 22:16, records the question pro­pounded by Ananias to Saul, "And now why tarriest thou?" "Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Again, Acts 26:16, Luke states in a very simple way why the Lord appeared to Paul as he journeyed toward Damascus. "But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have ap­peared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee".
Verse 17. "Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles unto whom now I send thee."
Verse 18. "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me."

Again, Galatians 1:11-12. "But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man."
"For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Php_3:4-8. "Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh he hath whereof, he might trust in the flesh, I more." 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."

"Concerning zeal, persecuting the church: touching the righteousness which is in the law blameless.. But what things were gain to me those I counted loss for Christ." Get that, what things were gain to Paul he counted loss for Christ.

"Yea, doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may win Christ".
1 Timothy 1:12-13. "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faith­ful, putting me into the ministry." "Who was before a blasphemer and a persecutor, and injurious, but I ob­tained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief."
Again he says in behalf of his apostleship. 1 Corinthians 15:8. "And last of all he Christ, was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time."
Now with all these facts before you, I shall lay down four propositions which, should exhaust all the possibilities in the case.
1. Either Paul was an impostor who said what he knew to be false, with an intent to deceive: or
2. He was an enthusiast who imposed on himself by the force of an overheated imagination: or
3. He was deceived by the fraud' of others, or, finally
4. What he declared relative to his conversion did all really and truly happen: And therefore the Christian religion is a divine revelation.

PAUL NOT AN IMPOSTOR.
Here I here raise the question of motive. What motive could have led Par' to turn away from the task he had purposed to accom­plish, i e. to carry out his authority in bringing the disciples of our Lord, bound unto Jerusalem, persecute them by shutting them in prisons, consenting to their death when killed, etc? Act.-26:9-12. Was it wealth, or its influence? Certainly not, for Paul was associated with one of the richest sects of that age, viz. the Pharisee. Was Paul successful as a mem­ber of said sect? Hear him. Galatians 1:13-14. "For ye have heard of my conversion in time past in the Jew's religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the Church of God, and wasted it. "And profited in the Jew's religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers."

What did Paul do? He forsook one of the greatest and richest sects on earth and associated himself with those lowly followers of the Christ who had within their ranks, some of the poorest of the poor. So needy were they, that those who had possessions sold them and brought the price thereof and laid it at the apostles' feet that dis­tribution might be made as every man had need.

- One of the burdens of Paul's labors was to collect means for some of those that were threatened with star­vation. The condition of some of his brethren was such, that he often refused to take from them the bare necessities of life, and labored with his own hands, supporting him­self and sometimes others. To the Corinthians, he writes, "Even unto this present hour, we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling place: and we toil with our own hands." 1 Corinthians 4:11-12.

O, how like the Son of God is this pathetic statement of Paul, viz. "We have no certain dwelling place". Jesus said, "Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man hath not where to lay his head." Luke 9:58. In this Paul followed the ideal hero. In Paul's farewell to the Church at Ephesus, he said, "I coveted no man's silver or gold or apparel." "You yourselves know that these hands ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me." My friends, the facts are these: Paul forsook this great, powerful, influential sect, with its magnificent tem­ple and rich treasuries and became the subject of criticism and persecution, and laid his life on the altar of sacrifice. Hear him, as he solemnly and pathetically tells of his trials. 1 Corinthians 15:32. "If after the manner of men, I have fought with beasts at Ephesus what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not." Paul was beaten with rods, shipwrecked, and imprisoned, many times, he went hungry, and without proper clothing. Near the close of his life he presents to us the picture of an old man shivering in a Roman dungeon, pathetically asking for a cloak to be sent him. 2 Timothy 4:13. "The cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, bring with thee."

Then when you ask me if Paul was influenced by wealth to quit the Jewish sect and follow Christ I answer, No! Because all the facts connected with Paul's -conver­sion and apostleship make such an idea ridiculously absurd. WAS IT REPUTATION?
What was the reputation of those with whom Paul now associated himself? Jesus their leader, and son of a carpenter, had been put to death, yea the shameful death of being crucified be­tween two thieves. The chiefs of the cause that Paul espoused were not superior to himself, that is, from a literary viewpoint. On the other hand the worldly wise and the wisdom of this world rejected the teaching of this new religion. Paul says, "The preaching of Christ cruci­fied, was to the Jew a stumbling block, and unto the Greeks, foolishness." 1 Corinthians 1:23.

There was no personal glory for the great disciple of the learned Gamaliel in leaving the honors conferred upon him by having been brought up at the feet of this intellectual giant and doctor of the law, and associating himself with a company of people styled as poor and ig­norant fishermen.

All the reputation Paul had gained in this elite Pharisee society of the world was gone the very moment they knew of his having accepted Christ. Yea, Cor. 4:13. "Was counted the filth of the world and the offscouring of all things." WAS IT POWER PAUL WAS SEEKING?
We are apprised of the activities of men to get into positions of prominence, that they may have dominion over their fellows. Mahomet, th pauper, and others, have put forth certain spiritual claims so as to promote thereby their own selfish temporal welfare..
Paul how about you? What is your ambition?
The whole career of Paul brands such an accusation against him as being absolutely false. As someone has correctly said, "Paul had no eye for worldly ambition, in ..that he interfered with nothing in government or civil, affairs; lie meddled not with legislation; he formed no commonwealths; he raised no seditions; he affected no temporal power. He regarded himself as not worthy to be called an apostle, as less than the least of all saints, as the chief of sinners."

Again, he did not seek to have the authority or the pre-eminence over other Christians.
He styled those who were in the gospel field as "fel­low laborers" and "fellow servants." Some of his enemies preached the gospel through envy and strife, but Paul rather gloried in the fact that the Christ was proclaimed. Php_1:18. "Yea I rejoice and will rejoice."
He did not lord it over the churches, even over those whom he had set in order. To the Pauline Party in Corinth he said, "Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Corinthians 1:13. Again, "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus as, Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." 2 Corinthians 4:5.

Men who selfishly seek for control and power over men, flatter them with pleasant associations and fair speeches. Take Absalom for example. By his cunning actions and fair speeches he stole the hearts of the Israelites. We do not find such in the life of Paul. While he was a great diplomat and used good policy whenever and wherever necessary, but deceptive and flatter­ing methods, never.

He reproved and rebuked his own brethren unspar­ingly for their sins and idolatry. And when necessary even incurred their displeasure. This old world with its changing customs and seasons didn't mean but one thing to him, viz: to preach Christ and him crucified. One of the most sublime statements ever uttered by mortal tongue is found in Galatians 6:14. "God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ by whom the world is crucified unto me and I unto the world." Thus Paul used his education to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ instead of the gospel to preach his education. "Sub­line words, sublime lesson, used by a sublime man," may all preachers emulate this one, viz: glorying in. the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Objection
Paul not an Enthusiast who Imposed on Himself.
Things that might contribute to make one an enthusiast.

1. A Lack of Self Control, Ignorance, Imagination, Egotism.
While Paul was exceedingly zealous but instead of allowing his intense fervor to destroy reason and sober­ness, he made zeal one of his best servants. He possessed an unlimited amount of tact which proves his self control. In matters indifferent where the truth did not have to be sacrificed, he became all things to all men.
When before the noted Felix, (Acts 24:25) Paul rea­soned of righteousness, self control and judgment to come. When Paul was before Agrippa, Festus said, "Paul, much learning doth make thee mad." Paul's answer was "I am not mad most noble Festus, but speak forth the words of truth and soberness." Acts 26:24-25.

2. Ignorance.
Was Paul ignorant? No. Brought up at the feet of the great Gamaliel, he proved himself to be master not only of Jewish, but also of Greek and Roman learn­ing, as is evidenced by the fact that when in debate with either, or all of them, he was victorious.

3. Self Conceited, Egotism.
There was not any of this in Paul. When forced to. prove his apostolic claim he does it effectively, but briefly, and rather apologizes for having to speak in his own behalf. 1 Corinthians 15:8-10. When he had a vision of heaven, he withheld his own name, and for fourteen years he was silent on this special favor from God. 2 Corinthians 12:2. Would a self conceited man act in such manner? 1 Corinthians 3:4-7. "Neither is Paul that planteth or Apollos that watereth anything, but God who giveth the increase." Again, 1 Corinthians 3:10. "Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye have believed, even as the Lord gave to every man."

4. Was it Imagination?
On this, one usually sees that which he expects, but did Paul expect a vision from God, such as the one already described in Acts 9 th, 22nd and 26th Chapters? No. His intentions were clearly established in that he went to the high priest and obtained the authority to bind and persecute Christians even before his journey to Damas­cus is begun. Then how account for his going to a certain spot in Damascus, and then having received and heard the man sent from God, Ananias, who after three days restores Paul's sight? One destructive critic is said to have advanced the idea that Paul at this time was suffering from an attack of epilepsy. Could it have been possible for all of them, that is, all of Paul's company to have received a like attack at the same instant?
This vision was so unexpected and dazzling as to cause the whole company to fall upon the earth. Acts 26:14. The marvelous life work of Paul revolutionized the history of his age. And his influence today, like that of Abel's is living and burning in the hearts of teeming thousands. One writer, in defending Paul against such hypercritical sophistry, as mentioned in the above, has suggested it a pity that such a professor could not have had a similar attack of what he is pleased to brand here as epilepsy.

Paul was not deceived by others.
Paul was the most unique man of his day. No apostle, priest, King, Ruler or Saint of Paul's day, ever possessed enough wisdom to deceive this powerful logician trained in the school of Gamaliel. Some one has asked this question: Could they, the disciples of our Lord, produce a light brighter than the midday sun? Cause him to hear a voice speaking out of that light; make him blind for three days and then restore his sight? Listen, there were no Christians present when the miracle of his conversion took place.

There is only one thing left, viz: What Paul declared to be the cause of his conversion did all really take place; and therefore the Christian religion is a Divine revelation. And may the Bible truths herein suggested, lead others as they led Paul to follow Jesus Christ, until death shall call us from labor to rest. In closing this brief address the deliverer thereof feels grateful for every help received from any and all his "fellow laborers" to the end that the word of God may be vindicated. But above this I am thankful to our heavenly Father, that he has breathed into his Book such a consistent message as to make it living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, "which is destined to continue on and on, while error wounded writhes in pain, and dies among his worshippers."