The Apostle
\nBy James A. Langley<\/p>\n
[Dr. James A. Langley is Executive Director Emeritus of the District of Columbia Baptist Convention.]<\/p>\n
\nMade bold by sense of Divine will
\nAnd fired by a raging passion,
\nWhatever wind blows, good or ill,
\nDetermined God`s world to fashion;
\nWith zeal aflame in heart and mind
\nTo rid the world of the godless kind,
\n"Stone those who see Truth a new way,
\nDeath to heretics without say!"
\nFanatical for sacred writ,
\nNor deterred by piety or wit,
\nThe Law! the Law must be obeyed,
\nLine on line, precept on precept
\n`Til all of Moses` words are kept,
\nLest Sinai`s light should be betrayed.
\nSo on my holy mission bent,
\nStephen`s death condign punishment.
\nDamascus-bound, burning with malice
\nTo seize the Nazarene`s disciples,
\nCleanse the land, waste the church, sans scruples,
\nMake them drink their own blood-chalice.<\/p>\n
Suddenly a dazzling bright`ning
\nFrom heav`n shone, thus to earth I fell;
\nA voice like thunder and lightning
\nBared my soul, which no tongue can tell;
\nThat voice-such voice that wakes the dead-
\nMen round me saw none, heard with dread;
\nMy name! He called me by my name.`
\nYet my name brought not pride but shame.
\nCould this be Him on the tree slain
\nAt whose death the day turned to night,
\nWith rock-riven, grave-op`ning fright?
\nThe same! now risen and exalted,
\nHe it was I had persecuted
\nWhen Stephen midst the stones had lain!
\nLight brighter than the zenith sun,
\nBrightest when the day is half-won,
\nBlinded my eyes, and made me see
\nThat those I hurt are one with Thee.<\/p>\n
He sends me, now a man in Christ:
\n"To Jew and Gentile bear my Word,
\nRighteousness by faith, beyond price,
\nGrace gift to all who make me Lord."<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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