Editorial February 3, 1945 Issue

Throwing Dust into the Air

John Randall Dunn

What an intensely interesting document is the Acts of the Apostles! The history of that brave little band of Christians after the ascension of Christ Jesus is not only deeply moving, but at times dramatic and exciting. It is a trite saying that truth is stranger than fiction. Certainly the experiences of the Master's early followers present a narrative as engrossing and thought-arresting as any tales from the land of literary make-believe.

Take, for example, the amazing story of the Apostle Paul. What character of fictitious literature can approximate his indomitable courage, consistency, and adherence to Principle? His remarkable rightabout-face when the scales of blind, mistaken zeal fell from his eyes; his childlike turning to the religion he had so misunderstood and cruelly maligned, and his absolute fearlessness in carrying the message of spirituality to the brethren steeped in crass materialism—this historic record is not only stranger than any fiction, but makes most pleasurable and profitable reading. For years the Bible has been rated as a "best seller"; and this is understandable when it contains as fascinating a story as that unfolded in the Acts of the Apostles. Have you ever read consecutively the narratives contained in the chapters of the Acts? Read them aloud to children, or to a sympathetic friend. You will find it as absorbing as any novel.

How frequently we find in these gripping pages the same exhibition of mortal mind intolerance and hatred of Truth which parades before humanity today! For instance, beginning with the twenty-first chapter of the Acts we see Paul returning from one of his missionary journeys and announcing his intention of going to Jerusalem. Some of his intuitive companions sense danger in this enterprise and endeavor to dissuade him therefrom. With characteristic bravery he replies (v. 13), "What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." So he sets forth for the holy city. However, the fears of his friends seem justified, for shortly after his arrival he finds himself in the center of angry, unreasoning antagonists who threaten him with physical violence. Rescued temporarily by an officer in authority, he asks his permission to address the unruly mob. When quiet is restored, the apostle reviews with touching simplicity his life history.

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