Acts 9:20 - Homilies By R. Tuck

Saul's first sermons.

Revised Version, "And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God." "The point to which all the effort of the apostle was first directed was naturally the Messiahship of Jesus, and that in the higher view in which Christianity exhibits the Messiah, namely, as the Son of God" (Olshausen). Very different ideas are entertained as to the advisability of encouraging young converts to begin preaching at once. The difficulty arose in the China mission field, and the new convert earnestly pleaded to be allowed to tell the little he did know, and so grow to know more. This principle Saul followed, beginning at once to " preach the faith which once he destroyed," and he made the opportunities just where he was, going into the synagogues, and using his privilege as a rabbi to read and expound the Scriptures. The text briefly indicates what truth Saul had gripped, and, taken with Acts 9:22 , it shows how large his grip was, and that it concerned the very basis-truth of Christianity. He saw that—

I. THE CHRIST HAD COME . Explain that " Christ " is the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew word " Messiah, " and would often be wisely changed for the Hebrew term. Deal with

II. THE CHRIST CAME IN THE PERSON OF JESUS OF NAZARETH . The better manuscripts give the reading, "preached Jesus." If Messiah had conic, had he been recognized, and acknowledged? Saul firmly answered," Yes; Messiah was Jesus of Nazareth, the Prophet, Teacher, Healer, holy Man, who was crucified, had risen from the dead, and was exalted to heaven." Surely this was a great theme for his preaching, one demanding explanation, argument, evidence, and the "accent of his own conviction." But Saul had seen more than even this, and so further proclaimed that—

III. JESUS THE CHRIST WAS THE SON OF GOD . Explain that term as

To Saul had evidently come an insight into the glorious mystery of the Incarnation. He realized