Sermons From Acts - Saul The Persecutor (8:1-3)

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                          "THE BOOK OF ACTS"

                     Saul The Persecutor (8:1-3)

INTRODUCTION

1. Following Stephen's death, a great persecution arose against the
   church...
   a. Disciples in Jerusalem were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria
      - Ac 8:1
   b. The apostles, however, remained in Jerusalem - ibid.

2. Leading the persecution against the church was a young man...
   a. Whose name was Saul - Ac 8:3
   b. Who later became known as Paul, the apostle - cf. Ac 13:9

(We will consider Saul's conversion later.  But to appreciate the
significance of his conversion, we should know his background and what
motivated him as a persecutor, beginning with Saul's...]

I. EARLY LIFE AND TRAINING

   A. HIS ANCESTRY AND YOUTH...
      1. Born in Tarsus of Cilicia - Ac 21:39; 22:3; 23:34
         a. Cilicia was a Roman province in SE Asia Minor (modern
            Turkey)
         b. Tarsus was the capital ("no mean city"), known for its
            culture and learning said to exceed even those of Athens and
            Alexandria - Strabo, Geography 14.5
      2. Born of Jewish ancestry
         a. A Hebrew, or Israelite, of the seed of Abraham - 2Co 11:22
         b. Of the tribe of Benjamin - Ro 11:1
         c. A Hebrew of the Hebrews (both parents Hebrews?) - Php 3:5
      3. Born a Roman citizen - Ac 22:25-29
         a. Some think because Tarsus was a free city, but such a
            designation did not automatically impart citizenship
         b. One of Paul's ancestors either purchased or was rewarded
            citizenship for services rendered to Rome - W. M. Ramsay
         c. We do not know the date of his birth, some place it around
            the time of Jesus' birth

   B. HIS EDUCATION...
      1. Taught in Jerusalem by Gamaliel, a Pharisee and respected
         teacher of the Law - Ac 22:3; cf. Ac 5:34-40
      2. A son of a Pharisee, he became a strict Pharisee - Ac 23:6;
         26:4-5; Php 3:5
      3. He excelled above his contemporaries in Judaism - Ga 1:13-14
      4. Was also trained as tent-maker - Ac 18:1-3

   C. HIS CHARACTER...
      1. He was zealous in persecuting the church, concerning the Law
         blameless - Php 3:6
      2. He served God with a pure conscience - 2Ti 1:3; Ac 23:1
      3. Thus he was ignorant of his blasphemy and persecution - 1Ti
         1:12-13

[With his early life and training, Saul of Tarsus was on the "fast track"
when it came to his religious faith.  It was sincere zeal in defending
his faith that led to his brief but fervent career as...]

II. PERSECUTOR OF THE CHURCH

   A. AT THE DEATH OF STEPHEN...
      1. Saul was present at the death of the first Christian martyr 
         - Ac 7:57-58
      2. He consented to the death of Stephen - Ac 8:1; 22:20

   B. MAKING HAVOC OF THE CHURCH...
      1. Entering homes, dragging men and women to prison - Ac 8:3; 22:4
      2. Entering synagogues, imprisoning and beating those who believed
         in Jesus - Ac 22:19
      3. He believed it necessary to do things contrary to the name of
         Jesus - Ac 26:9-11
         a. Imprisoning believers by the authority of the chief priests
         b. Casting his vote against them as they were put to death
         c. Compelling them to blaspheme
         d. Pursuing them to foreign cities (such as Damascus) - cf. Ac
            9:1-2

   C. HIS LATER CONFESSION...
      1. Admits he persecuted the church "beyond measure" in an attempt
         to destroy it - Ga 1:13
      2. It was due to his great zeal - Php 3:6
      3. Though ignorant, he was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent
         man - 1Ti 1:13
      4. For such reasons, he considered himself the least of the
         apostles, not worthy to be called an apostle - 1Co 15:9

CONCLUSION

1. From being the worst foe of the church, Paul would later become one
   of its best friends...
   a. Saul the persecutor would soon become Paul the preacher - Ga
      1:22-24
   b. Paul attributed it to the grace and mercy of God - 1Co 15:9-10;
      1Ti 1:12-14

2. Every aspect of Saul's life prior to his conversion prepared him for
   the task the Lord gave him...
   a. His Jewish heritage and Roman citizenship suited him for preaching
      to both Jews and Gentiles
   b. His training by Gamaliel would serve him well in his writings on
      the Law in Romans, Galatians
   c. His skill as a tent-maker would assist him in his travels
   d.	Even his history as persecutor would strengthen his testimony as an
      eyewitness of Christ

But most of all, his conversion despite his persecution of the church
serves as a wonderful example of God's mercy:

   "This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that 
   Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am
   chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me 
   first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern
   to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life."
                                                   - 1Ti 1:15-16

Have you obtained the mercy offered in Jesus Christ (Tit 3:4-7)?  No
matter how you have lived in the past, you can be justified by His
grace...! - Ac 22:16
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