WebThe Conversion of Saul. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 123. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Saul was not content to punish some and to drive the rest from the holy city. He did not want to merely contain Christianity or to drive it from Jerusalem; he wanted to rid the earth of Christianity and its followers. Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. Stat two things God told Anaias concerning Saul Briefly describe what happened during Anaias' meeting with Saul. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. Lest anyone think they are too sinful to save, let me remind you that when Paul wrote that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, he quickly added, among whom I am foremost of all.. Saul was told at the time of his conversion that God had chosen him to bear witness to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the Jews (9:15). While Paul may not have brought about the execution of all those whom he arrested, including women as well as men (verse 2), verse 1 strongly suggests that this was his desire and ambition. 18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. 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 authorities, but also knew that he was on the march to Damascus, ready to destroy that church as well. Why were Ananias and Sapphira killed on the spot? part of the price for themselves while donating it to the church To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? They could not out-argue him. Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,. Acts 9:19-23 Saul in Damascus. Saul Visits Jerusalem. This three-fold repetition is a clear indication of the importance of this event, especially in the themes Luke is seeking to develop in the Book of Acts. He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. It was surely fear (reverence), among other things, which prompted this. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (D)who call on Your name., 15But the Lord said to him, Go, for (E)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (F)Gentiles, (G)kings, and the (H)children[b] of Israel. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. . 1:1; 1 Cor. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:6-12). (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul. Romans 6). Verses 1 and 2 vividly depict Sauls intent, his intense desire and determination to rid the world of Christianity by taking active, aggressive, severe action against those saints who had fled from Jerusalem. In this occasion, no one seems to have prayed for Peters miraculous escape. Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. (5) Sauls salvation was an act of divine grace. And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. 32As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. helpful to the Lord. At first he found himself in the position of being regarded as an apostate by the Jews and suspect by the Christian community of Jerusalem. The words of Jesus, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? 148 I would assume that Saul was one of those who covered his ears so as not to hear the praise of Stephen, as reported in Acts 7:57. You, my brothers, were called to be free. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. And if Sauls blindness led to his own conversion, at least the blinding of Bar-Jesus contributed to the conversion of the proconsul (and perhaps too his own conversionwho knows?). (You know, just in case God has forgotten something) This would mean that the Gospel isnt as good as we thought it was and that God violates the law of double jeopardy where He punishes the same sin twice. Three times in the Book of Acts it is reported, the first time in the third person (he) by Luke (Acts 9:1-31), the second time in the first person (I) by the apostle, as he spoke to his Jewish unbelieving brethren in defense of his ministry (Acts 22:1-21), and the third time, again in the first person, as his personal testimony to King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice (Acts 26:1-23). * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. 00:00. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The call of salvation is a call to holiness, and to obedience, and to fellowship, with God and with our fellow-believers. A vision, in this context, was a supernatural sight from God. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.. And what a comfort to know that God always finishes what He starts: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ananias hesitation to visit Saul showed that he had good relationship with Jerusalem, for he knew of the trouble that the persecutor had raised against the early converts, and of the goal of his mission to Damascus. The answer to both questions is no. We dont know why Ananias is only mentioned once after Acts chapter nine. We shall then seek to identify the characteristics of Sauls conversion which are typical of every conversion. 3On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.c What did Ananias do for Saul? This can hardly be possible. 1:11, Acts 20:23; 2 Cor. Both are call stories. Proving (sunbibazon). And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5). 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. When I look through the Gospels and the Book of Acts, I never find the gospel presented in the same way to different people. Note Pauls summary of the gospel at the end of Galatians 2: I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me (Galatians 2:20). While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. I. Howard Marshall summarizes the problem in these words: Nevertheless, we obtain a different impression of things from Galatians 1:16-24, according to which (1) Paul did not confer with men after his conversion nor go to the apostles in Jerusalem, but (2) departed to Arabia and then returned to Damascus; then (3) three years later he went to Jerusalem for a visit lasting a fortnight during which he saw only Peter and James, and at this time he was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea; thereafter (4) he went to Syria and Cilicia. * She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. He wrote letters to the first churches in order to help them understand the Scriptures and to tell them how to live as good Christians. I was inclined to think that most of us, experientially, are called to faith in Christ only to gradually learn Gods will for our life, progressively revealed to us as we walk in Him. 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? The "Straight Street" or Via Recta in Latin, was a straight The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. Why do you think the street was named "Straight" My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the Lord. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. 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). WebActs 9:10-18 Ananias. Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. 39So Peter got up and went with them. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. . When Paul spoke of his conversion here in Galatians 1, he did not speak of the light which shone without, but rather of the light which shone within. 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Why did Ananias and Sapphira sell their property? The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. God changed him from being a man who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and a persecutor of the Christians into a bold missionary who preached the Gospel wherever he went. Frequent biblical texts speak of God in terms of light: You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game (Psalm 76:4). A teacher walks into the Classroom and says If only Yesterday was Tomorrow Today would have been a Saturday Which Day did the Teacher make this Statement? For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Galatians 2:8-9). The man who, days before, was persecuting Christ was now preaching Christ. He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality the Messiah (ho Christos). 26:63; Luke 22:67, 70). How was Saul converted to Christianity? And now, he is preaching the same message. Israel was called of God and set apart to proclaim the way of salvation to the Gentiles. In our text Ananias was instructed to go to Saul and to lay hands on him so that he might receive his sight (9:12). also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. Present active participle of sunbubazo, old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. He has sovereignly chosen to use people to lead people to salvation, Spirit baptism, deliverance, and healing. Saul had been granted permission by the high priest to arrest any man or woman in Damascus who were Christians. After he put his hands on Saul, the Bible only records that Saul received his sight. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. 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. Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. When Ananias [9:1] 8:3; 9:13; 22:4; 1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:1314. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 1:15; Eph. The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27). In spite of this, we are not told here that Saul did receive the Holy Spirit or what happened when he did. 130 In our text, we are told the Saul went to the high priest to ask for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus (9:1-2), but in Acts 22:5-6 Paul indicates that the Council (the Sanhedrin) was also involved in providing him with letters of authorization to arrest Christians in Damascus. 15But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,m No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. He was, indeed, Stephens replacement. * [9:20] Son of God: the title Son of God occurs in Acts only here, but cf. Would the church not have undertaken the task of discipling these folks? After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). A man who, along Pauls experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1Cor 15:8. How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? Web'And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click 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). 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. That is because our Lord always confronts, convicts, and converts men and women individually, in the light of their own actions and beliefs. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16). 17 And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. Saul took this most seriously, not eating or drinking until after his confession of faith by means of his baptism. called for him to be slapped. Nevertheless, conversion has certain elements which are vital and which are to be present in any salvation experience. 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 account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was During the subsequent Roman rule, the With the help of Ananias, he was transformed into a follower of Jesus and became one of the most well-known evangelists ever. It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. Ananias and Saul. When he found him, he "laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'" 17So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit. 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. Peter Restores Tabitha to Life. Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Web3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 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). But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). And Jesus took the persecution of Christians very personally. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, here am I, Lord. 11 And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy name.145 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My names sake.. Pauls language in Acts 26:11 seems to mean that Damascus is merely one of other `foreign cities to which he carried the persecution. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). Acts 26:18). 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:4-11). How do you write a good story in Smash Bros screening? 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. When Ananias placed his hands on Saul he was filled with the Holy Spirit, healed of his blindness, received water baptism, and began to eat and regain his strength. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. (Philippians 1:4-9). This happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda. Here is a graphic illustration of what true repentance isit is a turning about, beginning with ones belief and bearing fruit in ones conduct. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. 20 The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the Lord. 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. 129 The history of Damascus goes back to remote antiquity. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? 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. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him, It does not store any personal data. Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul,why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was helpful to the Lord. Saul sought them out to persecute, even kill them, as an unbeliever; but he sought them out to worship and fellowship with them as a Christian. a conversion of will, intellect, and emotion, which dictated the abiding purpose and direction of his subsequent life and activity. His career as a persecutor of Christians seems to have begun with Stephen, but it quickly spread to all of the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 7:588:3). Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:3). Second, the gospel should be proclaimed in a way that is personal. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. The light was the light of His glory. Saul, as it were, saw the light, but in addition, he was to become a light, a light to the Gentiles, as well as to his own people. Maybe he died, but it also may be because most of the rest of Acts is fo- cused on more distant places. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you (Isaiah 60:1). 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. At length, in Gods good time, the door opened, and the events of half a lifetime assumed final and complete significance. E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles, (Grand Rapids: Wm. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. Blaiklock, for example (pp. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. The emphasis in the account is on Paul as a divinely chosen instrument (Acts 9:15).

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