At first it is not apparent how deep an impression the death of Stephen had on the life of Paul. The full import begins to appear when Paul later in life looks back on the tragic event in which he played so prominent a part. To finds its fullest expression in his tragic cry of repentance, and thankfulness to God for His forgiveness, in passages such as 1 Cor. 15:9, Gal. 1:13, and Acts 22:20. That Stephen’s dying prayer for his slayers was answered in the case of Paul is also worthy of remembrance, when we read of Paul’s sorrow as expressed in 1st Timothy, Chapter 1, verses 12 and 13. That we may not lose the value of the lesson in this crucial period of Paul’s life (for it can likewise be the crucial period in our lives), we must read the 16th verse of this chapter in Timothy already referred to. There is certainly a period of ignorance that God winks at. Then, in the fullness of time, we are brought as penitent sinners to the foot of the Cross with the cry from our hearts, “God be merciful to us who are sinners.” If we look inwardly at the emotions that must have had a disturbing effect on the young man Saul, there is no doubt that the demeanour of Stephen changed the whole course of his life.
Let us analyse this for a moment. There is a psychological reaction upon those involved in great emotional crises, such as a person’s death.
This reaction follows one of two courses. The person concerned may consider that he has committed a grave error for which he must endeavour to make amends ; or else, with all the evidence pointing toward such an error having been made, he will not admit that it is so, even though his better judgment cries out that it is. I think the latter was the case with Paul, whose reaction to this tragedy was as follows : He threw himself with redoubled fury and vehemence into the cause which he had espoused, namely, the persecution unto death of the followers of the “way.” This, of course, is easy to understand, for such is the manner of those who are tormented by the subconscious Voice of reason and remorse that injustice has been done. They vainly think that they can efface the voices of those slain, whose blood in many cases cries out from the ground for vengeance. Thus Saul, in almost desperate, fanatical and misplaced zeal, attempted to obliterate the followers of Jesus, as we may read in Acts 9:1, 2. However, this did not still the voice, and in due time he was led to that most dramatic event which occurred on the road to Damascus. We would do well to read this again, endeavoring to place ourselves in a position where we may really understand and appreciate the most crucial period of the life of him who was to be the apostle to the Gentiles. Here it was that he was to “see Jesus,” and, seeing Him, to be stricken blind (Read Acts 9:1-6.)
It is quite true that later on the apostle said that he had “seen Jesus as one born out of due season.” His claim to apostleship was a valid claim, inasmuch as one claiming apostleship must have actually seen the Lord and been with Him. At this point I would like to interject something for your consideration that will bear serious thought, and if we cannot agree on the conclusions, let us at least concede that it may be worthy of some thought. it is quite evident that in the mind of Saul as he then was, this man Jesus was an imposter. It is hardly conceivable that if Saul was in Jerusalem studying at the school of Gamaliel when Jesus was preaching that he had not seen Jesus. He was filled with the conviction of the Pharisees that this man could not be the Son of God, and that He died justly for blasphemy when He was crucified and that all who followed Him must be excommunicated from the synagogue. Thus he had allied himself with those who crucified their Messiah, and with those around the Cross who said, “If thou be the Son of God, come down from the Cross and we will believe you.” He associated himself by agreement if not actually by his presence.
Now we call your attention to some of the Apostle Paul’s words in Acts 20:35, the last phrase of the verse, and ask you to connect it with 1 Cor. 9:1, where he claims apostleship (to which we have before referred) in these words: “Have I not seen the Lord Jesus ?” Where did Paul see Him? On the road to Damascus? Yes, but perhaps prior to that, for we must consider the words of Jesus which Paul tells his listeners to remember : “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Did Jesus say these words ? Certainly he did. But how did Paul know about them? Some say from the writings of other apostles who heard Jesus say them. This is logical, but these words do not occur in any of the four Gospels, neither are they to be found in the letters of Peter and John. In fact, the only place in the New Testament where they are to be found is in the chapter referred to in Acts where Paul says, “Remember these words of the Lord Jesus.” Had they been in the Gospels or the letters of the aforementioned apostles, the matter would be settled, and we would have a cross reference to refer to in finding these words of the Lord Jesus.
But you will notice that the form of language here is undoubtedly that of one who is speaking to others in the audience who were contemporary with the speaker, and could be well said in this way : “You remember the occasion when the great Rabbi said to us, it is more blessed to give than to receive ?” Had any of us been in that audience, we would have had no difficulty in recalling the occasion. We would probably have said: “Oh, yes, we remember that.
It was when He stood on the hillside and taught us, or when He sat in the boat and we thronged the seashore.” Or, “Yes, we remember that. It was when He miraculously increased the five loaves and two fishes so that there was more than enough to satisfy the hunger of that great crowd.”
Must not Paul have heard the above mentioned words when at some time he came face to face with Jesus ? If so, in our search for such an occasion and a person to whom the words would most likely have been spoken, let us consider the interview Jesus had with the rich young ruler. Indeed, the rich young ruler’s role fits Paul very well.
It is generally accepted that Paul’s family was well-to-do, enough so that he could establish his own residence in Jerusalem. Luke tells us that the ruler with whom Jesus conversed was young and rich (Luke 18:23), and Mark tells us that Jesus, looking on him, loved him (Mark 10 :17- 23).
The rich young ruler claimed to have kept the law from his youth up, and we note that Jesus did not contradict him on this score. Yet when the Master reminded him that the spirit of the law called for love and giving, he sadly failed to meet the test. As he sorrowfully departed, the words of Jesus may have followed him and thus were engraved on his heart and memory. Perhaps he was reminding his audience of these things as he said the words we are considering, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
We offer these few thoughts to you for what they are worth. The evidence seems to prove to is that, as we follow the apostle’s life after his conversion, these words became part of the character he formed, for he worked with his hands to supply his needs, and the needs of others. He was always foremost in remembering the poor, so much so that he was the instigator of the collection for the poor saints in Jerusalem, reminding the churches throughout Asia Minor in his letters that they should do likewise (see Acts 11:29, 30; 2 Cor. 8:1-5).
Can we not now see the deep spiritual lesson in the fact that Saul of Tarsus had to see Jesus, and when he did so on the Damascus road he was blinded? The brilliance of the Master’s presence blinded the eyes of the one who was bent on destroying the saints, and blind he was to remain until Ananias pointed out to him the way of life and light.
And so we, too, remain blind until we are shown the way of life and light, even though for us there may be no miracle on the Damascus road. Seeing Jesus changed the life of Saul, and later changed his name to Paul. It completely changed his attitude and mode of life, and undoubtedly it was the crucial point of his life, as seeing Jesus is the crucial point in every saint’s life.
When the scales were removed from his eyes, he was baptised. What a lesson for all of us! Much spiritual benefit may be gained from a close study of the conversion of Paul, and all of us can, without doubt, find a parallel in our own lives and experiences. If we will take the time to ponder on these words, the admonition of Paul in his letter to Timothy where he reminds him that his experience is a pattern for those who should hereafter believe on Jesus, should be of great benefit to us.
We dare not pass this most important period in the life of Paul without contemplating very seriously the great lesson for all of us, and particularly for the younger ones among us.
What has seeing Jesus meant to us? Let us be certain of this, that once we have seen Jesus (and we use the term in the same way that Jesus did in speaking to some of the Pharisees as recorded in John 9:40,41) then whether we recognise it or not, our lives are changed. Knowledge brings us into the scope of God’s judgment, and once we “see” we are no longer in a state of ignorance at which God may wink.
The most sensible thing for a person to do once the scales have been removed from his eyes is to follow in Paul’s footsteps, and without delay be baptised. God will not be mocked. Let us appreciate and grasp the wonderful opportunity that He offers, and become part of His family—no more strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints and of the household of God.
No one appreciated this honor more than Paul, and in his heartwarming and generous spirit, he has passed the same advice on to all who may be in the same position as he was, without God and without hope in the world, but brought out of darkness through a knowledge of Jesus and the Gospel.
If we will take the time to find out the destiny of the principals in the trial and crucifixion of Jesus, we will discover that seeing Jesus changed their lives, too. Pilot died a disgraced suicide; Herod was banished and also died in disgrace. The priests who plotted against Jesus were crucified on the walls of Jerusalem when Titus and the Romans destroyed the city.
Let it be said of us as it was of the disciples on one occasion, “That men remembered that they had been with Jesus.” It is expected that we who have accepted Jesus as our Saviour shall be spoken of as “good” by the majority of those who are without. If any should speak against us, let us be certain that we are accused falsely for the sake of Christ and not for anything evil that we have done. If this be the case, then we may “rejoice and be exceeding glad, for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.”
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One