‏ Acts 9

* The conversion of Saul. (1-9) Saul converted preaches Christ.

(10-22) Saul is persecuted at Damascus, and goes to Jerusalem.

(23-31) Cure of Eneas. (32-35) Dorcas raised to life. (36-43)

1-9 So ill informed was Saul, that he thought he ought to do

all he could against the name of Christ, and that he did God

service thereby; he seemed to breathe in this as in his element.

Let us not despair of renewing grace for the conversion of the

greatest sinners, nor let such despair of the pardoning mercy of

God for the greatest sin. It is a signal token of Divine favour,

if God, by the inward working of his grace, or the outward

events of his providence, stops us from prosecuting or executing

sinful purposes. Saul saw that Just One, ch. #22:14; 26:13|. How

near to us is the unseen world! It is but for God to draw aside

the veil, and objects are presented to the view, compared with

which, whatever is most admired on earth is mean and

contemptible. Saul submitted without reserve, desirous to know

what the Lord Jesus would have him to do. Christ's discoveries

of himself to poor souls are humbling; they lay them very low,

in mean thoughts of themselves. For three days Saul took no

food, and it pleased God to leave him for that time without

relief. His sins were now set in order before him; he was in the

dark concerning his own spiritual state, and wounded in spirit

for sin. When a sinner is brought to a proper sense of his own

state and conduct, he will cast himself wholly on the mercy of

the Saviour, asking what he would have him to do. God will

direct the humbled sinner, and though he does not often bring

transgressors to joy and peace in believing, without sorrows and

distress of conscience, under which the soul is deeply engaged

as to eternal things, yet happy are those who sow in tears, for

they shall reap in joy. 10-22 A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to

Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to

do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that.

Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring

blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud

infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these

to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such

prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free

salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had

done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them.

Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find

a living man without breath, as a living Christian without

prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes

stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory

to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are

vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of

his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the

scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the

sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the

anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions. 23-31 When we enter into the way of God, we must look for

trials; but the Lord knows how to deliver the godly, and will,

with the temptation, also make a way to escape. Though Saul's

conversion was and is a proof of the truth of Christianity, yet

it could not, of itself, convert one soul at enmity with the

truth; for nothing can produce true faith, but that power which

new-creates the heart. Believers are apt to be too suspicious of

those against whom they have prejudices. The world is full of

deceit, and it is necessary to be cautious, but we must exercise

charity, #1Co 13:5|. The Lord will clear up the characters of

true believers; and he will bring them to his people, and often

gives them opportunities of bearing testimony to his truth,

before those who once witnessed their hatred to it. Christ now

appeared to Saul, and ordered him to go quickly out of

Jerusalem, for he must be sent to the Gentiles: see ch. #22:21|.

Christ's witnesses cannot be slain till they have finished their

testimony. The persecutions were stayed. The professors of the

gospel walked uprightly, and enjoyed much comfort from the Holy

Ghost, in the hope and peace of the gospel, and others were won

over to them. They lived upon the comfort of the Holy Ghost, not

only in the days of trouble and affliction, but in days of rest

and prosperity. Those are most likely to walk cheerfully, who

walk circumspectly. 32-35 Christians are saints, or holy people; not only the

eminent ones, as Saint Peter and Saint Paul, but every sincere

professor of the faith of Christ. Christ chose patients whose

diseases were incurable in the course of nature, to show how

desperate was the case of fallen mankind. When we were wholly

without strength, as this poor man, he sent his word to heal us.

Peter does not pretend to heal by any power of his own, but

directs Eneas to look up to Christ for help. Let none say, that

because it is Christ, who, by the power of his grace, works all

our works in us, therefore we have no work, no duty to do; for

though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou must arise, and

use the power he gives thee. 36-43 Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren in

good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker.

Christians who have not property to give in charity, may yet be

able to do acts of charity, working with their hands, or walking

with their feet, for the good of others. Those are certainly

best praised whose own works praise them, whether the words of

others do so or not. But such are ungrateful indeed, who have

kindness shown them, and will not acknowledge it, by showing the

kindness that is done them. While we live upon the fulness of

Christ for our whole salvation, we should desire to be full of

good works, for the honour of his name, and for the benefit of

his saints. Such characters as Dorcas are useful where they

dwell, as showing the excellency of the word of truth by their

lives. How mean then the cares of the numerous females who seek

no distinction but outward decoration, and who waste their lives

in the trifling pursuits of dress and vanity! Power went along

with the word, and Dorcas came to life. Thus in the raising of

dead souls to spiritual life, the first sign of life is the

opening of the eyes of the mind. Here we see that the Lord can

make up every loss; that he overrules every event for the good

of those who trust in him, and for the glory of his name.