The Apostle
By James A. Langley
[Dr. James A. Langley is Executive Director Emeritus of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention.]
Made bold by sense of Divine will
And fired by a raging passion,
Whatever wind blows, good or ill,
Determined God`s world to fashion;
With zeal aflame in heart and mind
To rid the world of the godless kind,
"Stone those who see Truth a new way,
Death to heretics without say!"
Fanatical for sacred writ,
Nor deterred by piety or wit,
The Law! the Law must be obeyed,
Line on line, precept on precept
`Til all of Moses` words are kept,
Lest Sinai`s light should be betrayed.
So on my holy mission bent,
Stephen`s death condign punishment.
Damascus-bound, burning with malice
To seize the Nazarene`s disciples,
Cleanse the land, waste the church, sans scruples,
Make them drink their own blood-chalice.
Suddenly a dazzling bright`ning
From heav`n shone, thus to earth I fell;
A voice like thunder and lightning
Bared my soul, which no tongue can tell;
That voice-such voice that wakes the dead-
Men round me saw none, heard with dread;
My name! He called me by my name.`
Yet my name brought not pride but shame.
Could this be Him on the tree slain
At whose death the day turned to night,
With rock-riven, grave-op`ning fright?
The same! now risen and exalted,
He it was I had persecuted
When Stephen midst the stones had lain!
Light brighter than the zenith sun,
Brightest when the day is half-won,
Blinded my eyes, and made me see
That those I hurt are one with Thee.
He sends me, now a man in Christ:
"To Jew and Gentile bear my Word,
Righteousness by faith, beyond price,
Grace gift to all who make me Lord."
