I Appeal To Caesar!

Several hours of mental anguish pass about Jesus’ identity, and Saul starts to burst out audibly in argument, catching himself just in time! Almost beside himself, Saul, the Pharisee cannot fathom this bold confession of Peter and the others. How can a man be cursed and hanged on a tree and be the Christ? No, this is heresy and must be stamped out!

He looks eastward; far off and below them lies

Damascus.

“I will root them out, I will destroy these blasphemers!” mutters Saul with disdain and vengeance. He reaffirms his ambition to “make havoc of the Church” wherever he finds it! His Pharisaical pride seethes to the surface. Saul’s religious spirit has become an angry one, joining hands with egotism and control. At this time, Saul does not realize that an insidious, spiritual enemy is driving him, controlling him, forcing him to extreme violent measures to denounce and destroy every dissenter. Saul is in the iron grip of religious bigotry, a proud Pharisee that will not compromise. * * * * * Saul and his companions maintain their pace along the shoulders of the great mountains, and finally, the ancient highway begins its descent to the plain below. Sloping downward from Mt. Hermon and the lesser mountains, the ancient caravan route will eventually reach the fertile, green oasis area covering some thirty miles in circumference.