The words “breathing out” in the Greek are really breathing in (inhaling). The picture is that of Saul breathing in, taking into his heart the evil of destroying Christ and His disciples. Of course, what is in the heart is what comes out.

the believers of the early church were known as followers of “the Way” (see Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22).

⇒ The Way of Salvation (Acts 16:17).

⇒ The Way of the Lord (Acts 18:25).

⇒ The Way of Peace (Lk. 1:79; Ro. 3:17).

⇒ The Way of Truth (2 Pt. 2:2).

⇒ The Way of Righteousness (2 Pt. 2:21).

When it burst forth, Saul saw the Lord standing in the midst of it (1 Cor. 9:1; 15:8). The light radiated from the Lord Himself.

⇒ “[Jesus’] face did shine as the sun and His raiment was as white as the light” (Mt. 17:2

⇒ “God is light” (1 Jn. 1:5).

4. The light and sight of the heavenly figure struck Paul to the ground. (See Acts 26:14 where Paul says that all the others with him fell to the earth as well.)

Light, the very presence of God Himself, is the first thing experienced in salvation.

“God … hath shined in our hearts.…” (2 Cor. 4:6).

Thought 1. Note how Christ identifies with the believer. The person who opposes the believer is opposing Christ Himself (Mt. 25:40, 45).

Thought 1. A man often knows and confesses that it is the Lord who is dealing with him; yet he does not know the Lord, not really, not personally. He has to cry out, “Who art thou, Lord? Tell me, show me who You are!”

a. Jesus is the Lord, the One whom the sinner is opposing. (See DEEPER STUDY # 2, Lord—Acts 2:36.) This truth shattered Saul, broke him in utter submission. Why? Because it meant …

• that every stone cast at Stephen was a stone cast against God Himself (Acts 7:59–60)

• that every home he had stormed into was a home that truly worshipped God (Acts 8:3)

• that every person he had forcibly dragged through the streets to jail was a true follower of God (Acts 8:3)

• that every woman he had abused was a child of God (Acts 8:3; 9:2; 22:4)

• that everyone he had chained and imprisoned was a true servant of God (Acts 8:3; 22:4; 26:10)

• that every synagogue he had stormed was the true house of God (Acts 26:11)

• that every believer he had tracked down and persecuted was a true believer (Acts 22:5; 26:11)

• that every person whom he had killed (slaughtered, v. 1), was a charge of murder against him (Acts 26:10; 22:4)

• that he was lost, truly lost, separated from God and doomed to hell

• that his life was a total wreck, being totally deceived and misdirected, bent on utter destruction

• that he stood no chance of escaping the guilt of his sin and the doom of hell apart from the greatest act of mercy ever shown by God. (See 1 Tim. 1:16.)

It is hard to kick against conscience. The phrase “to kick against the pricks” is the picture of an ox being goaded or pricked with a long stick to make him respond to the driver’s will. Saul was questioning, fighting, struggling within himself over the truth. He was deliberately shutting his ears and closing his mind …

• to the truth of the gospel which he was hearing from the disciples of the Lord.

• to the truth of his own mistaken way and the awful shame of his sin.

He had chosen and was choosing a hard way of life. Every man who rebels against God has chosen a hard way, a difficult life, a life that is doomed to uncertainty and always wondering about the future …

• never possessing the assurance and confidence of being acceptable to God.

• never being sure if he is really right.

• never having the permanent peace and security of God.

They were a type of the worldly who saw the miracle of conversion, of God’s marvelous grace, yet they never opened their own minds and hearts …

• to see the light of the Lord

• to hear the voice of God

• to confront the Lord

• to call upon the Lord, surrendering to obey Him

His mind would now be shut up in the world of thought alone. He would be left alone …