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What is Jesus saying here?
Saul in his zeal had been mercilessly persecuting the newly founded
religion called Christians. He is first mentioned in Acts 7:58-59 where he gave
his approval for the stoning to death of the first Christian martyr, Saint
Stephen.
Acts 8:1-3, "Now there broke out on that day a great persecution against the
CHURCH in
Jerusalem, and all except the Apostles were scattered abroad throughout the land
of Judea and Samaria. And devout men took care of Stephen's burial and made
great lamentation over him. But Saul was harassing the CHURCH; entering house
after house, and dragging out men and women, he committed them to prison."
Acts 9:1-5, "But Saul, still breathing threats of slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the
synagogues at Damascus, that if he found any men or women belonging to this Way
(a word used for Christianity), he might bring them in bonds to Jerusalem. And
as he went on his journey, it came to pass that he drew near to Damascus, when
suddenly a light from heaven shone round about him; and falling to the ground,
he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul,
Saul, why dost thou persecute me?" And he said, "Who art thou Lord?" And He said, "I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting."
Elucidation...
1. Who is
Saul persecuting in Acts 8:1-3?
It is the CHURCH as mentioned twice in those three verses.
2. Then why does Jesus
Christ say, "Why dost thou
persecute me?" Instead of 'Why
dost thou persecute My Church'?
It is because we are the body and He is the
head of His Church. Whatever happens to the body is registered in the head.
Isn't that true?
3. Therefore, whenever someone persecutes the Catholic
Church, the body, they are persecuting the Head also, Jesus Christ Himself.
"For I am the least of
the Apostles, and am not worthy to be called an Apostle because I persecuted the
CHURCH OF GOD."
1Cor 15:9
"For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism; how beyond all
measure, I persecuted the CHURCH
OF GOD, and ravaged it." Gal
1:13.
"As regards zeal, a persecutor of the CHURCH OF GOD." Phil
3:6
"I give thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord, who has strengthened me, because he
counted me trustworthy in making me his minister. For I formerly was a
blasphemer, a persecutor and a bitter adversary; but I obtained the mercy of GOD
because I acted ignorantly, in unbelief." 1Tim 1:12-13
"Do not be a stumbling
block to Jews and Greeks and to the CHURCH OF GOD."
1Cor
10:32
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