What a hurry and confusion may we suppose the chief priests were now in! I warrant they were ready to cry out, What! is he also deceived? As for the common people, who knew not the law, and are accursed, for them to be carried away, is no such wonder; but for a man bred up at the feet of _Gamaliel_, for such a scholar, such an enemy to the cause as _Saul_, for him to be led away with a company of silly, deceived men and women, surely it is impossible: we cannot believe it. But _Saul_ soon convinces them of the reality of his becoming a fool for CHRIST’s sake; for straightway, instead of going to deliver the letters from the high priests, as they expected, in order to bring the disciples that were at _Damascus_ bound to _Jerusalem_, “he preached CHRIST in the synagogues, that he is the Son of GOD.” This was another proof of his being converted. He not only conversed with christians in private, but he preached CHRIST publicly in the synagogues: especially, he insisted on the divinity of our LORD, proving, notwithstanding his state of humiliation, that he was really the Son of GOD.
But why did _Saul_ preach CHRIST thus? Because he had felt the power of CHRIST upon his own soul. And here is the reason why CHRIST is so seldom preached, and his divinity so slightly insisted on in our synagogues: because the generality of those that pretend to preach him, never felt a saving work of conversion upon their own souls. How can they preach, unless they are first taught of, and then sent by GOD? _Saul_ did not preach CHRIST before he knew him; no more should any one else. An unconverted minister, though he could speak with the tongues of men and angels, will be but as a sounding brass and tinkling cymbal to those whose senses are exercised to discern spiritual things. Ministers that are unconverted, may talk and declaim of CHRIST, and prove from books that he is the Son of GOD; but they cannot preach with the demonstration of the Spirit and with power, unless they preach from experience, and have had a proof of his divinity, by a work of grace wrought upon their own souls. GOD forgive those, who lay hands on an unconverted man, knowing that he is such: I would not do it for a thousand worlds. LORD JESUS, keep thy own faithful servants pure, and let them not be partakers of other mens sins!
Such an instance as was _Saul_’s conversion, we may be assured, must make a great deal of noise; and, therefore, no wonder we are told, verse 21. “But all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that destroyed them who called on this name in _Jerusalem_, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound to the chief priests.”
Thus it will be with all that appear publicly for JESUS CHRIST; and it is as impossible for a true christian to be hid, as a city built upon a hill. Brethren, if you are faithful to, you must be reproached and have remarks made on you for CHRIST; especially if you have been remarkably wicked before your conversion. Your friends will say, is not this he, or she, who a little while ago would run to as great an excess of riot and vanity as the worst of us all? What has turned your brain?――Or if you have been close, false, formal hypocrites, as _Saul_ was, they will wonder that you should be so deceived, as to think you were not in a safe state before. No doubt, numbers were surprized to hear _Saul_, who was touching the law blameless, affirm that he was in a damnable condition (as in all probability he did) a few days before.
Brethren, you must expect to meet with many such difficulties as these. The scourge of the tongue, is generally the first cross we are called to bear for the sake of CHRIST. Let not, therefore, this move you: It did not intimidate, no, it rather encouraged _Saul_: says the text, “But _Saul_ increased the more in strength, and confounded the _Jews_ who dwelt at _Damascus_, proving that this is very CHRIST.” Opposition never yet did, nor ever will hurt a sincere convert: Nothing like opposition to make the man of GOD perfect. None but a hireling, who careth not for the sheep, will be affrighted at the approach or barking of wolves. CHRIST’s ministers are as bold as lions: it is not for such men as they to flee.