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Parkhurst Bible Lesson
Acts 9:1-11, 16-19
Sunday, October 19, 2008

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International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday October 19, 2008
Acts 9:1-11, 16-19

“He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’” (Acts 9:4—NRSV).

“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”  (Acts 9:4—KJV).

Saul, who later became the Apostle Paul, knew by experience what it meant to be zealous for God, but without knowledge or understanding of the true nature and will of God. No one could doubt Saul’s zeal as a Pharisee in his persecution of Christians. He threatened and imprisoned them, if they would not renounce their faith in Jesus. He approved their murder (as he approved the stoning of Stephen), if they boldly proclaimed the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection. He did not want any of these followers of Jesus polluting the religion and traditions of his fellow Israelites.

Saul only changed his mind, and became a devout follower of Jesus and an apostle, after he met Jesus personally, as he traveled to Damascus in the hope of finding more Christians to persecute. When he met Jesus, he learned that his persecution of Christians was actually persecuting Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Lord and Savior of the world. Whenever anyone persecutes or ridicules a follower of Jesus Christ, he is persecuting or ridiculing Jesus Christ himself.

Later, Paul taught more about this close relationship between Jesus Christ and individual believers. He wrote, “Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). He emphasized that both Jews and Gentiles were members of the body of Christ, and wrote, “The Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel” (Ephesians 3:6). He further revealed that God had given apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers “for building up the body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-16).

© Copyright 2008 by L.G. Parkhurst, Jr.

You may be reprint or reproduce this Parkhurst Bible Lesson for not-for-profit use.

Questions for Further Thought
or Class Discussion

International Sunday School Lesson
Sunday October 19, 2008
Acts 9:1-11, 16-19

Printable PDF With Questions
Bulletin Size With Questions Printable PDF
Bulletin Size Without Questions Printable PDF

          Think about your answers to the questions below before your Sunday school class meets, discuss in class, or use for further study. In some cases, I do not always write the questions to have a definitive right or wrong answer. In most cases, the questions should encourage everyone to think about how to apply biblical truths to their daily lives. Before beginning to answer the questions below, read the entire Scripture lesson in your favorite translation or compare translations. Write your thoughts in the space provided and take them to your Sunday school class for discussion.

Available in the "Religion Section" of The Oklahoman newspaper every Saturday, please do not remove the copyright notice or publish these lessons for profit if you reprint them. To download these Bible Studies as an audio file or podcast to listen to, go to ParkhurstBibleLessons.com.

For newspapers, reprints, or other for profit use, contact:
L.G. Parkhurst, Jr. - lgp@InternationalBibleLessons.com.

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