MEDO-PERSIAN EMPIRE

past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it:” “And the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul”, (Acts 7:58). Whether Saul was ever a member of the Sanhedrin Court or not is a question, but he was endowed with much authority being delegated by the Court. There are those who believe that he was a member of a Junior Sanhedrin, which was made up of a younger element being tutored and trained for future positions in the Sanhedrin Court. This begins a turning point in Church history.

15. CHAPTER VIII- Samaritan Revival.

Following Stephen’s martyrdom, a great persecution arose against the Church at Jerusalem scattering the disciples, except the apostles, through Judea and Samaria. The disciples went everywhere preaching the word. Saul made havoc of the Church, entering homes, taking women and men to prison (Acts 8:3), beating them that believed (Acts 22;19,20) and puffing many to death (Acts 26:10, Ii). At the dispersion of the Church, Philip, one of the seven deacons, went into Samaria and preached Christ unto them. Jesus and his disciples went into Samaria and preached to the woman at Jacob’s well, and later to the people of Samaria, (John 4:4-42), in 27 A.D. Many of the Samaritans believed. Jesus laid the foundation that Philip would later reap the harvest. When word came to the apostles of Philip’s preaching to the Samaritans, they sent Peter and John to Samaria to assist Philip. None had received the Holy Ghost “only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” (Acts 8:16). Peter and John laid hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost. The angel of the Lord spake unto Philip saying “Arise and go to Gaza”. In Gaza Philip found and Ethiopian Eunuch, of great authority under Candace Queen of Ethiopia, on his way home from worship in Jerusalem. Philip preached Jesus unto him. He believed and was baptized.

16. CHAPTER IX - Saul’s Conversion.

Saul had scattered the Church in Jerusalem and now was on his way to Damascus, threatening slaughter against the disciples, when a light shined from heaven brighter than the noon day sun. He fell on the ground and heard a voice saying “Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” Saul cried, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” And the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do”. Saul was blinded by the light and was led into Damascus. After three days God sent Ananias unto Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, hath sent me that thou mightest receive thy sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost”. His eyes were opened. He arose and was baptized. Saul preached Christ in the synagogues of Damascus and preached Jesus as the Son of God. The Jews of Damascus sought to kill Saul, and he fled into Arabia, and was in Arabia and Damascus three years. He returned to Jerusalem for 15 days, (Galatians1; 18). Then Saul returned to Tarsus, his home.