Being earnest in his desire to learn, this officer was rejoiced to meet with some one who seemed likely to give him the guidance he needed; and so "he desired," or entreated "Philip, that he would come up and sit with him" in his chariot, and explain the passage of Scripture which he had just read.
"And the eunuch (or officer) answered Philip, and said, I pray thee of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself or of some other man? Then Philip," guided by the Holy Spirit, "opened his mouth, and began at the same Scripture, and preached unto him Jesus": showing him that these words were spoken of the promised Messiah; and that Jesus of Nazareth, whom the Jews had so lately crucified, was indeed the Messiah spoken of by the Prophets: and he doubtless spake of Baptism, in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, as the appointed means of admission into the Church of Christ: for "as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." This was enough. "And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him." Philip had now done the work which he had been sent to do. "And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip," who was thus conveyed in some miraculous way to a place called Azotus, "so that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing," that he had been instructed in the Gospel, and admitted into the Church of Christ by Baptism. This Ethiopian officer was a true convert, and no doubt his future life proved him to be so.
Philip mean time found himself in a miraculous manner at Azotus, and from thence journeyed northward, and "preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea," where his home was.
The next event recorded in the Book of Acts, is the wonderful conversion of Saul, who was suddenly, by the mercy of the Lord, changed from being an enemy to all the followers of Jesus, into a true believer, and an active and zealous preacher of the truth as it is in Jesus.
We have already heard of Saul as a persecutor, making havoc of the Church at Jerusalem, after the death of Stephen. We now learn from the Book of Acts, that, "breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord," he "went unto the High Priest, and desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues," giving him authority "that if he found any of this way," any believers in Jesus, "whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem." The High Priest was no doubt too glad to give this power to one who would execute it zealously; and Saul set out on his journey, which turned out very differently from what he expected and intended.
For when "he came near Damascus, suddenly there shined 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?" Saul's answer to this question, shows that he was even now convinced that the voice was none other than the voice of God; for 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." This seems to have been a Jewish expression, meaning that it was useless for any persons to resist an authority and power, which they could have no hope of overcoming, for that they would only hurt and injure themselves; just as any person kicking against thorns, would tear and injure himself, instead of harming the thorns. Saul's heart was indeed touched and changed by the Holy Spirit, and willing to obey the commands of Him whose followers he had so cruelly persecuted; "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." "And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man": the excessive brightness of the vision he had seen, had deprived him of his sight, and he arose from the earth blind and helpless. "And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man." They had heard and seen something of what Saul had done; enough to make them unable to speak from astonishment and awe: they had heard a voice, but did not understand the words spoken, and seeing no man, they were perplexed as to whence the voice came. Now, however, seeing their master was blind, "they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." We can well imagine how Saul passed these three days in meditation and earnest prayer to the Lord, who had so mercifully called him to be a true believer. His continued blindness did not shake his faith, or lessen his love; on the contrary, they increased more and more; and soon he had his reward, for the Lord showed him in a vision that his sight should be restored to him. There was residing in Damascus at this time a certain disciple, one of the believers in Jesus, "named Ananias: and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord,"—which meant, Here I am, ready to obey Thee, and do whatever Thou shalt bid me do. "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 hand on him, that he might receive his sight." This direction rather startled Ananias, who well knew Saul of Tarsus to be the bitter enemy of Jesus Christ, and of all who believed in Him: therefore, "Ananias answered, 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 Priests to bind all that call upon thy name." But the Lord forbade Ananias to make any further objections, since it was his duty simply to believe and obey; and He said unto him, "Go thy way," do as I command thee. At the same time, the Lord in His mercy encouraged Ananias, by making known His purpose concerning Saul; saying, "for he is a chosen vessel unto me (that is, a messenger), to bear my name," or to bear witness of the things belonging unto God, "before the Gentiles, and kings, and the Children of Israel: for I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake."
Ananias hesitated no longer, but went to the house pointed out to him, "and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, receive thy sight: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." After this, Saul at once joined the Church, or company of believers at Damascus, and "straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God." All that heard him preach were greatly amazed, knowing with what a very different purpose Saul had come to Damascus. From other parts of Scripture we learn, that Saul did not at this time stay long in Damascus, but went away into Arabia, where he stayed quietly for three years; no doubt studying the Scriptures, and preparing for the great work he was to do amongst the Gentiles. After that, he returned to Damascus, about Anno Domini 38; that is, thirty-eight years from the year in which Jesus Christ was born.
Chapter VII.—SAUL JOINS THE CHURCH AT JERUSALEM.
Syria, of which Damascus was the capital, had become a Roman province about sixty-three years before the birth of Christ. Whilst Saul was in Arabia, Aretas, the king of that country, went into the land of Judæa, to fight against Herod Antipas, who had married the daughter of Aretas, and then treated her very ill. Herod was defeated in a battle, and then he applied for help to the Emperor Tiberius, as supreme ruler of Judæa. Tiberius commanded his general Vitellius to chastise Aretas for his attack upon Herod, and bring him to Rome, alive or dead. Whilst Vitellius was at Jerusalem preparing to execute this order, Tiberius died; and Vitellius marched his army into winter quarters. Aretas took advantage of this, and attacked the city of Damascus, which he took, and kept possession of for some time. Saul, as has been said, returned to Damascus whilst Aretas still held possession of it. By his preaching, he confounded the Jews which were at Damascus; for strengthened more and more by the Holy Spirit, he spake of Jesus of Nazareth, "proving that this is very Christ." Not knowing how to answer him, and fearing the effect of such preaching, the Jews, after many days were fulfilled, "took counsel to kill him." From another part of Scripture we learn, that the governor set over the city of Damascus by Aretas, took part with the Jews, and caused the gates to be watched night and day, to kill Saul, should he attempt to leave the city, before the Jews had accomplished their purpose. But all these plots were, by the mercy of God, made known in some way to Saul. The disciples of course knew that the Lord could work a miracle, to save one who was chosen to be a preacher of the Gospel; but they also knew that it is the duty of man in all cases, to take proper means for his own safety: and trusting that the Lord would bless their efforts, "they took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket." Saul being thus outside the walls, without passing through the gates, journeyed on to Jerusalem.