* [9:119] This is the first of three accounts of Pauls conversion (with Acts 22:316 and Acts 26:218) with some differences of detail owing to Lukes use of different sources. There is no story in Acts more important than Saul/Pauls call, his encounter with the risen Christ. As applied to our Lord, then, the title `Son of God marks him out as the true representative of the Israel of God and as Gods anointed king; but it is no merely official title. The only question is who is the LORD? All of these should be expected and can be rather easily explained. There he was transfigured before them. 15:8; Gal. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight (Acts 9:10-12). WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. Israel was also blind, and Pauls blindness was but a specific example of this blindness: The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. [9:1] 8:3; 9:13; 22:4; 1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:1314. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him 27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:24-27). The expansion is three-fold: (1) The expansion from Christ, to His apostles, to His church, (2) The geographical expansion from Jerusalem to Rome. . To persecute them was to persecute Him. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. 3On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.c Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. It is also bad news for the self-righteous. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. This text portrays one of the historical landmarks of the church. (Acts 9:11)? We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. 136. Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8). At least we can say that no one had enough faith to believe it, even as Peter stood at the door, knocking to get in (12:12-17). 137 The Way is a designation for the new movement used several times in Acts 9:19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22; cf. Pauls hatred for Christ and His followers was common knowledge. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Then he When the man asked why he should do this, the pastor said, I dont believe anyone can continue hating someone when they have consistently prayed for that person to be blessed by God. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. The first words of the Lord Jesus to Saul were intended to teach him the inseparable unity between Christ and His church. He was, indeed, Stephens replacement. 40Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. The Church at Peace. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight (Acts 9:10-12). Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. What changed about Saul/Paul after Jesus appeared to him? Amen (Romans 11:33-36). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Linking is encouraged, but content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed including, but not limited to such means as framing or other digital copying and/or distribution method, in whole or in part without the publisher's written consent. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7; cf. (5) There is a good deal of emphasis on the results of Sauls conversion. You also know this person is a recognized hater of your faith, and wants little if anything to do with you. He got up and was baptized, Transform us as you transformed Paul. In other words a beginning point for narrating Acts 9:1-19 could be with Ananias knowledge of Saul as a persecutor, which he expresses in verse 13. A devout Hellenistic Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was a member of the Pharisees and was taught by none other than Gamaliel, whom we have already met (Acts 5:34-40). 140 They are called his sunodeuontes, `those who were in the caravan with Him (cf. So it would appear. The words and actions of Ananias are an evidence of his faith and obedience to the divine commission he was given, as outlined by Luke in the verses above. Ananiass vision was intended to direct him to the house of Judas and to Saul. In this approach, preachers will offer their congregations a chance to relate to Sauls epiphany as a way of meeting Christ in the midst of our lives and being transformed by that encounter. 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6). sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6-7). Leave them; they are blind guides. Acts 26:18). Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped (Isaiah 35:5). (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see Teaching from the Scriptures, p. But as I see the call of God referred to in the New Testament, it seems that the call of salvation assumes other callings, to which Paul and other New Testament writers made frequent reference: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1). . Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. 2. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. I see a man who is confident, aggressive, and zealous, rather than a man troubled by inner doubts. "how many things he must suffer for The church sent him on his way to Tarsus by way of Caesarea. Paul recognized that his ministry was that of bringing the light to those who were lost, including the Gentiles, kings, and his fellow-Israelites: For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). . B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photolithoprinted}, 1966), p. 91. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. Sauls baptism followed, accompanied by his profession of faith, his calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to (1 Corinthians 7:15, 17-22, 24).154. (10) Sauls encounter with Christ was not only a conversion, but it was also a call to a very specific ministry. Q While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight. It is one of the few accounts of a conversion which is described with some detail (although this detail is much less than we would prefer). 11 The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsusp named Saul, for he is praying. Ananias and Saul in Damascus. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. a. He who had wanted to kill these saints now wanted to fellowship with them. Is paralegal higher than legal assistant? It strikes many readers as harsh, a return to Old Testament retribution. It is the invitation for sinful Israelites to be saved, by repenting and calling on the name of the Lord for salvation: Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 9oY+ 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 1:4, 26-28; 2:1-7).143. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". . And, who knows, God may even answer those prayers and the persons life be blessed and changed in ways we cannot even imagine.. . He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). One cannot help but wonder if it did not send chills up and down Pauls spine when he cast the spell of blindness on the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus: And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. WebThere was no indication in Jesus words that Ananias was going to give Saul the Holy Spirit. When he was still very young, Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy. Blaiklock, for example (pp. The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. In the end, God Himself will provide the illumination so that the sun and the stars will not be needed for this function: The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted (Isaiah 30:26). All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. For Paul, the method of proclaiming the gospel must be consistent with the message itself, and so it was. Could Judas have been a Christian? It may well be a call to live transformed lives in the same circumstances in which we were found. They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. How old was Jesus when he was crucified? No, I worked harder than all of themyet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. A devout Hellenistic Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was a member of the Pharisees and was taught by none other than Gamaliel, Ananias is not the last believer who has seen fit to keep God up to date (The Storytellers Companion to the Bible: The Acts of the Apostles). 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12-14). We know from Romans 7, for example, that Paul had struggles in his spiritual walk. . also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). The man who, days before, was persecuting Christ was now preaching Christ. WebAnanias, had he disobeyed Christ, would not have helped Saul on that path in which he, as Paul the apostle, did so much, and suffered so much, for Christ. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers. 2. (9) On the road to Damascus, Saul did far more than to see a bright light and to hear a voice from heaven. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. Ananias came to Saul with grace to liberate him from his wrong-headed beliefs and open his heart to Jesus. To put it differently, the account of Sauls conversion in Acts 9 is but the first of three accounts, the other two coming from the lips of Paul himself. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. Like Stephen, the enemies of the gospel attempted to kill Saul when they could not silence him by means of debate. Introduction: suppose you heard someone was coming to arrest you, or even worse. The salvation of Saul was to result in the gospel being preached to distant people and lands, and in the extension of the church to many key cities. Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,137 both men and women,138 he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. I do not question that he did receive the Spirit, but merely observe that this receiving of the Spirit (accompanied by the laying on of hands) was not something Luke wanted to emphasize. When Ananias 132 The impact of Sauls conversion on his message and his ministry is testified to by A. T. Robertson: Luke evidently attached great importance to the story of Sauls conversion as the turning point not simply in the career of the man, but an epoch in the history of apostolic Christianity. 1. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking. For now, he was told to proceed on to Damascus, where he would be given his next instructions.144 His blindness certainly gave Saul the opportunity to dwell on these events. 12 The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives. 2:1 He said to me, Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). 5 Why did Ananias and Sapphira lie to God? Here, Saul was only told that it was Jesus whom he saw, who was speaking to him, and whom he was persecuting. As he himself understood the heavenly voice which said to him at his baptism, You are my Son (Mark 1:11 par. 2 See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. There is no more appropriate conclusion to our message than the words of the apostle Paul, which immediately follow those above, and which aptly express the response of the Christian to the wisdom, the grace, and the sovereignty of the God who has saved us, and who works all things together for His glory and for the good of His chosen ones: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! During his conversion Saul was not aware, until after our Lords words, that the One who had interrupted his journey was Jesus, and that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, the LORD, but he was certain, at this point, that whoever this One was, He was the LORD. Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). No, Ananias did not do any of these things so far as the author of Luke-Acts is concerned. It is no wonder then that this one who was Sauls all in all would be the focus, the substance, of the gospel which he preached: But we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). Saul took this most seriously, not eating or drinking until after his confession of faith by means of his baptism. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to God, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. Julius Caesar confirmed those rights and privileges anew to the Jewish nation (although Judaea was no longer a sovereign state), and more particularly to the high-priesthood. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), pp. Am I not an apostle? It is a miraculous, dramatic reversal, first of ones beliefs, and then of ones behavior. 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. The life of Paul and his writings are very important parts of the New Testament. They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move A vision, in this context, was a supernatural sight from God. The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). What is the meaning of Sapphira in the Bible? The conclusion of many of the commentators is that Sauls conversion was a much longer process than I see reflected in this account, or in any other. 21All who heard him were astounded and said, Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name, and came here expressly to take them back in chains to the chief priests? Saul was not seeking God. Saul was saved in spite of himself. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:8-11). This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? It does not store any personal data. Finally, we shall attempt to focus on the application of this passage to our own lives. How did God use Ananias in the New Testament? Saul had been granted permission by the high priest to arrest any man or woman in Damascus who were Christians. Salvation is a revolution, not an evolution. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. He sent me so that you can . WebAnanias placed his hands upon Saul who received the Holy Spirit and the restoration of his sight. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. This old city is the most enduring in the history of the world (Knowling). WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Salvation is the miracle whereby God removes the blindness of sin and of Satan, whereby God replaces death with life. In Peters words, Ananias and Sapphira agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord(v9), which appears to be a terrible sin in the eyes of God, so terrible that it even warranted having the couple killed on the spot, without even being given the chance to confess and repent. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 143 . with his wife Sapphira, sold some property and agreed to hold back 11 The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsusp named Saul, for he is praying. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? He went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram. It was his preaching that resulted in the conversion of many Gentiles, and it was his writing (his epistles) to these saints which greatly strengthened them in their faith. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 15:21). Or could it be that these disciples of Saul were Sauls disciples before his conversion, who accompanied him as he sought to capture Christians. Trembling and astonished, he inquired, What a terrible revelation this isthat all are sinners, even the best, the most religious, the most righteous! Impatient men forget that God is not bound by time. In Sauls account of his conversion to His Jewish brethren, he added that when Ananias arrived, he instructed him to Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22:16). Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). It does not store any personal data. 9:31). also Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:3-11; cf. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. (Acts 9:11)? Just as Saul was called to a live of suffering, so Peter tells his readers that they too, like all saints, are called to suffer for His name: To this {suffering} you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). 146 It is possible, however, to understand the expression, Brother, as referring to Saul only as a fellow Jew. 9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. When Saul looked at the disciples of The Way (Jesus disciples) all he saw was a heretical sect that was a threat to the nation of Israel and Gods Law. Ananias had not only heard of how Saul had been systematically destroying the church in Jerusalem, hunting down men and women and turning them over to the Many are the plans in a mans heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). Saul got help, though, from a man named Barnabas. But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God (John 3:19-21). Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. >zZ0y^C{tg Shape us into children who rejoice in knowing and proclaiming you to the world. Then you hear the Lord telling you to minister to that person. Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. Conybeare and Howson {The Life and Times of Saint Paul, p. 77 (sic punct.)} Also, WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. Then a voice said to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?, Saul asked the voice, Who are you, sir?, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. Damascus was an important town, about 150 miles (242 km) from Jerusalem, with a considerable Jewish population. Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. 23After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city How was Saul converted to Christianity? When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Handed down. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Those who think themselves worthy of Gods blessings (as many Jews did in that day) are those who are in trouble. The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. WebA study of the language describing what resulted from Ananias going to Saul should help in determining the part played by Ananias in Saul's being "filled with the Holy Spirit." Sauls vision prepared him for the arrival of Ananias, clearly indicating that he was the one God had appointed to reveal His will for him. As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1). (8) The salvation of Saul made him a vital part of Christs body, the church. A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:32). The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it . He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe.
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