Chapter I. - Saul the Persecutor.
From among the most bitter and relentless persecutors of the
church of Christ, arose the ablest defender and most successful herald of the
gospel. With the apostolic brotherhood of the chosen twelve, who had companied
with Christ from his baptism even to his ascension, was numbered one who had
never seen the Lord while he dwelt among men, and who had heard his name uttered
only in unbelief and contempt. But beneath the blindness and bigotry of the
zealot and the Pharisee, Infinite Wisdom discerned a heart loyal to truth and
duty. And the voice from Heaven made itself heard above the clamours of pride
and prejudice. In the promulgation of the gospel, Divine Providence would unite
with the zeal and devotion of the Galilean peasants, the fiery vigour and
intellectual power of a rabbi of Jerusalem. To lead the battle against pagan
philosophy and Jewish formalism, was chosen one who had himself
10
witnessed the debasing power of heathen
worship, and endured the spiritual bondage of Pharisaic exaction. {LP 9.1}
Saul of Tarsus was a Jew, not only by descent, but by the
stronger ties of lifelong training, patriotic devotion, and religious faith.
Though a Roman citizen, born in a Gentile city, he was educated in Jerusalem by
the most eminent of the rabbis, and diligently instructed in all the laws and
traditions of the Fathers. Thus he shared, to the fullest extent, the hopes and
aspirations, the lofty pride and unyielding prejudice, of his nation. He
declares himself to have been "a Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a
Pharisee; concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless." He was regarded by the Jewish leaders as a
young man of great promise, and high hopes were cherished concerning him as an
able and zealous defender of the ancient faith. {LP 10.1}
In common with his nation, Saul had cherished the hope of a
Messiah who should reign as a temporal prince, to break from the neck of Israel
the Roman yoke, and exalt her to the throne of universal empire. He had no
personal knowledge of Jesus of Nazareth or of his mission, but he readily
imbibed the scorn and hatred of the rabbis toward one who was so far from
fulfilling their ambitious hopes; and after the death of Christ, he eagerly
joined with priests and rulers in the persecution of his followers as a
proscribed and hated sect. {LP 10.2}
The Jewish leaders had supposed that the work of Christ would
end with him; that when his voice was no longer heard, the excitement would
11
die out, and the people would return to the doctrines and
traditions of men. But instead of this, they witnessed the marvellous scenes of
the day of Pentecost. The disciples, endowed with a power and energy hitherto
unknown, preached Christ to the vast multitude that from all parts of the world
assembled at the feast. Signs and wonders confirmed their words; and in the very
stronghold of Judaism, thousands openly declared their faith in Jesus of
Nazareth, the crucified malefactor, as the promised Messiah. {LP 10.3}
And but a short time after the events of Pentecost, a mighty
miracle, wrought by the apostles, filled all Jerusalem with excitement. A
cripple who had been lame from his birth was healed by Peter and John in the
presence of the people, within the very precincts of the temple. This
astonishing cure was performed in the name of Jesus, the apostles declaring that
he had ascended to the heavens, and thence imparted power to his followers; and
they fearlessly charged upon the Jews the crime of his rejection and murder.
Great numbers of the people received the doctrines preached by the apostles.
Many of the most determined opponents could but believe, though they refused to
acknowledge, that Jesus had risen from the dead. They did not, however, repent
of their terrible crime in putting him to death. When the power from Heaven came
upon the apostles in so remarkable a manner, fear held the priests and elders
from violence; but their bitterness and malice were unchanged. Five thousand had
already openly declared their faith in Christ; and both Pharisees and Sadducees
decided among themselves that if those new teachers were suffered to go on
unchecked, their
12
own influence would be in greater danger
than when Jesus was upon earth. If one or two discourses from the apostles could
produce results so marvellous, the world would soon believe on Christ, and the
influence of priests and rulers would be lost. They therefore seized upon the
apostles, and thrust them into prison, expecting to intimidate and silence them.
But the disciple who in cowardice had once denied his Lord, now boldly declared
the power of a risen Saviour. In vain the rulers commanded to speak no more in
that name. Their threats were powerless, and at last, being restrained from
violence by fear of the people, they set the apostles at liberty. {LP 11.1}
Subsequent events served but to augment their fears and their
hatred. The power with which the apostles still proclaimed the gospel, the
wonders wrought by them in the name of Jesus, the converts daily added to the
church, the union and harmony that pervaded the body of believers, the swift and
terrible manifestation of divine judgment in the case of Ananias and
Sapphira,--all were marked by the Jewish leaders, and urged them on to still
more determined efforts to crush the powerful heresy. Again the apostles were
arrested and imprisoned, and the Sanhedrim was called to try their case. A large
number of learned men in addition to the council was summoned, and they
conferred together as to what should be done with these disturbers of the peace.
But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought forth
his servants, bidding them again proclaim in the temple the words of life. Great
was the amazement of priests and rulers when, being assembled at dawn to pass
sentence upon the prisoners,
13
they received the report that the prison
doors were securely bolted and the guard stationed before them, but that the
apostles themselves had been mysteriously delivered, and were already preaching
in the temple. {LP 12.1}
Once more summoning them before the council, the high priest
angrily reminded them of the warning they had received, and charged them with
endeavouring to bring upon the Jews the blood of Christ. They were not as
willing to bear the blame of slaying Jesus as when they swelled the cry with the
debased mob, "His blood be on us and on our children!" {LP 13.1}
Peter and his brethren repeated their former assertion, that
they must obey God rather than men. And then the accused became the accusers,
and as they were moved by the Spirit of God, they solemnly charged the murder of
Christ upon the priests and rulers who composed the council. These dignitaries
were now so enraged that they decided without further trial, to take the law
into their own hands, and put the prisoners to death. They would have executed
their murderous designs at once but for the calm and judicious counsel of
Gamaliel, who warned them to beware of proceeding to violent measures before the
character of the movement they opposed should be fully developed, lest haply
they should be found fighting against God. The learning and high position of
this eminent rabbi gave weight to his words. The priests could not deny the
reasonableness of his views. They very reluctantly released their prisoners,
after beating them with rods, and charging them again and again to preach no
more in the name of Jesus or their lives would pay the penalty of their
boldness.
14
{LP 13.2}
But punishments and threats were alike unheeded. The apostles
"departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted
worthy to suffer shame for His name. And daily in the temple and in every house
they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ." Despite all opposition, "the
number of the disciples was multiplied." {LP 14.1}
And now occurred a series of events, which, though seeming to
bring only defeat and loss to the cause of Christ, were to result in its
triumph, giving to the world one of the noblest examples of Christian faith, and
winning from the ranks of its opposers their most active and successful
champion. Most of the early believers were cut off from family and friends by
the zealous bigotry of the Jews. Many of the converts had been thrown out of
business and exiled from their homes, because they had espoused the cause of
Christ. It was necessary to provide this large number, congregated at Jerusalem,
with homes and sustenance. Those having money and possessions cheerfully
sacrificed them to meet the existing emergency. Their means were laid at the
feet of the apostles, who made distribution to every man according as he had
need. {LP 14.2}
Among the believers were not only those who were Jews by
birth and spoke the Hebrew tongue, but also residents of other countries, who
used the Greek language. Between these two classes there had long existed
distrust, and even antagonism; and though their hearts were now softened and
united by Christian love, yet the old jealousies were easily rekindled. Thus it
came to pass that as disciples were multiplied, "there arose a murmuring of the
Grecians against the Hebrews." The
15
cause of complaint was an alleged neglect of the Greek widows
in the distribution of the fund set apart for the poor. Such inequality would
have been contrary to the spirit of the gospel, and prompt measures were taken
to remove all occasion for dissatisfaction. Summoning a meeting of the
believers, the apostles stated that the time had come when they should be
relieved from the task of apportioning to the poor, and from similar burdens, so
that they could be left free to preach Christ. "Wherefore, brethren," said they,
"look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and
wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word." This advice was
followed, and the seven chosen men were solemnly set apart for their duties by
prayer and the laying on of hands. {LP 14.3}
The appointment of the seven was greatly blessed of God. The
church advanced in numbers and strength, "and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith." This success was due both to the greater freedom
secured to the apostles, and to the zeal and power manifested by the seven
deacons. The fact that these brethren had been ordained for a special work, did
not exclude them from teaching the faith. On the contrary, they were fully
qualified to instruct in the truth, and they engaged in the work with great
earnestness and success. {LP 15.1}
The foremost of the seven was Stephen, who, "full of faith
and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people." Though a Jew by
birth, he spoke the Greek language, and was familiar with the customs and
manners of the
16
Greeks. He therefore found opportunity to proclaim the gospel
in the synagogues of the Greek Jews. Learned rabbis and doctors of the law
engaged in public discussion with him, confidently expecting an easy victory.
But "they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake."
Not only did he speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, but it was plain that he
was a student of the prophecies, and learned in all matters of the law. He ably
defended the truths which he advocated, and utterly defeated his opponents. {LP
15.2}
The priests and rulers who witnessed the wonderful
manifestation of the power that attended the ministration of Stephen, were
filled with bitter hatred. Instead of yielding to the weight of evidence he
presented, they determined to silence his voice by putting him to death. They
had on several occasions bribed the Roman authorities to pass over without
comment instances where the Jews had taken the law into their own hands, and
tried, condemned, and executed prisoners according to their national custom. The
enemies of Stephen did not doubt that they could pursue such a course without
danger to themselves. They determined to risk the consequences at all events,
and they therefore seized Stephen and brought him before the Sanhedrim council
for trial. {LP 16.1}
Learned Jews from the surrounding countries were summoned for
the purpose of refuting the arguments of the accused. Saul was also present, and
took a leading part against Stephen. He brought the weight of eloquence and the
logic of the rabbis to bear upon the case, to convince the people that Stephen
was preaching delusive
17
and dangerous doctrines. But he met in Stephen one as highly
educated as himself, and one who had a full understanding of the purpose of God
in the spreading of the gospel to other nations. {LP 16.2}
The priests and rulers prevailed nothing against the clear,
calm wisdom of Stephen, though they were vehement in their opposition. They
determined to make an example of him, and, while they thus satisfied their
revengeful hatred, prevent others, through fear, from adopting his belief. False
witnesses were hired to testify that they had heard him speak blasphemous words
against the temple and the law. Said they, "For we have heard him say, that this
Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this place, and shall change the customs which
Moses delivered us." {LP 17.1}
As Stephen stood face to face with his judges, to answer to
the crime of blasphemy, a holy radiance shone upon his countenance. "And all
that sat in the council, looking steadfastly on him, saw his face as it had been
the face of an angel." Those who exalted Moses might have seen in the face of
the prisoner the same holy light which radiated the face of that ancient
prophet. Many who beheld the lighted countenance of Stephen trembled and veiled
their faces; but stubborn unbelief and prejudice never faltered. {LP 17.2}
Stephen was questioned as to the truth of the charges against
him, and took up his defence in a clear, thrilling voice that rang through the
council hall. He proceeded to rehearse the history of the chosen people of God,
in words that held the assembly spell-bound. He showed a thorough knowledge of
the Jewish economy, and the spiritual interpretation of it now made manifest
18
through Christ. He made plain his own loyalty to God and to
the Jewish faith, while he showed that the law in which they trusted for
salvation had not been able to preserve Israel from idolatry. He connected Jesus
Christ with all the Jewish history. He referred to the building of the temple by
Solomon, and to the words of both Solomon and Isaiah: "Howbeit the Most High
dwelleth not in temples made with hands." "Heaven is my throne, and earth is my
footstool. What house will ye build me? saith the Lord; or what is the place of
my rest? Hath not my hand made all these things?" The place of God's highest
worship was in Heaven. {LP 17.3}
When Stephen had reached this point, there was a tumult among
the people. The prisoner read his fate in the countenances before him. He
perceived the resistance that met his words, which were spoken at the dictation
of the Holy Ghost. He knew that he was giving his last testimony. When he
connected Jesus Christ with the prophecies, and spoke of the temple as he did,
the priest, affecting to be horror-stricken, rent his robe. This act was to
Stephen a signal that his voice would soon be silenced forever. Although he was
just in the midst of his sermon, he abruptly concluded it by suddenly breaking
away from the chain of history, and, turning upon his infuriated judges, said,
"Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the
Holy Ghost; as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your
fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which showed before of the coming
of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers; who have
received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it."
19
{LP 18.1}
At this the priests and rulers were beside themselves with
anger. They were more like wild beasts of prey than like human beings. They
rushed upon Stephen, gnashing their teeth. But he was not intimidated; he had
expected this. His face was calm, and shone with an angelic light. The
infuriated priests and the excited mob had no terrors for him. The scene about
him faded from his vision; the gates of Heaven were ajar, and Stephen, looking
in, saw the glory of the courts of God, and Christ, as if just risen from his
throne, standing ready to sustain his servant, who was about to suffer martyrdom
for his name. When Stephen proclaimed the glorious scene opened before him, it
was more than his persecutors could endure. They stopped their ears, that they
might not hear his words, and uttering loud cries ran furiously upon him with
one accord. "And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, 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." The
witnesses who had accused him were required to cast the first stones. These
persons laid down their clothes at the feet of Saul, who had taken an active
part in the disputation, and had consented to the prisoner's death. {LP 19.1}
The martyrdom of Stephen made a deep impression upon all who
witnessed it. It was a sore trial to the church, but resulted in the conversion
of Saul. The faith, constancy, and glorification of the martyr could not be
effaced from his memory. The signet of God upon his face, his words, that
reached to the very soul of those who heard them, remained in the memory of the
beholders,
20
and testified to the truth of that which he had proclaimed.
{LP 19.2}
There had been no legal sentence passed upon Stephen; but the
Roman authorities were bribed by large sums of money to make no investigation of
the case. Saul seemed to be imbued with a frenzied zeal at the scene of
Stephen's trial and death. He seemed to be angered at his own secret convictions
that Stephen was honoured of God at the very period when he was dishonoured of
men. He continued to persecute the church of God, hunting them down, seizing
them in their houses, and delivering them up to the priests and rulers for
imprisonment and death. His zeal in carrying forward the persecution was a
terror to the Christians in Jerusalem. The Roman authorities made no special
effort to stay the cruel work, and secretly aided the Jews in order to
conciliate them, and to secure their favour. {LP 20.1}
Saul was greatly esteemed by the Jews for his zeal in
persecuting the believers. After the death of Stephen, he was elected a member
of the Sanhedrim council, in consideration of the part he had acted on that
occasion. This learned and zealous rabbi was a mighty instrument in the hand of
Satan to carry out his rebellion against the Son of God; but he was soon to be
employed to build up the church he was now tearing down. A Mightier than Satan
had selected Saul to take the place of the martyred Stephen, to preach and
suffer for his name, and to spread far and wide the glad tidings of salvation
through his blood. {LP 20.2}