His name was Ananias (not to be confused with the husband of Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. How true are two of the proverbs, which read: The mind of a man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? to go lay hands on Saul (soon to be known as Paul) and restore his For less than $5/mo. The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. 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. It was due to the intervention of Barnabas, a man who would prove to be a lifetime friend of Paul, that the apostles risked a meeting with him and then granted him the freedom to associate with the saints in Jerusalem. 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). Conybeare and Howson {The Life and Times of Saint Paul, p. 77 (sic punct.)} 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. God then used this man to further His purposes in launching the career of the most influential of the apostles. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. 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). 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). 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. Acts 9:19-23 Saul in Damascus. 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. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w 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. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. The first thing we shall do is to make some observations on the passage as a whole to attempt to see the forest before we scrutinize the trees. And thus, in Gods time, Saul was dramatically converted, seeing the Christ whom he had been persecuting, risen from the dead and in His heavenly glory. Ancestry, Pharisaic training, Hellenistic education, were fused by it into the character which the Holy Spirit formed and fashioned over the fourteen years of training. Ananias son of Nebedeus (or Nedebeus) was a high priest who, according to the Acts of the Apostles, presided during the trials of the apostle Paul at Jerusalem (Acts 23:2) and Caesarea (Acts 24:1). Those who call upon your name echoes 2:21 (Joel 2:32) and recurs in 22:16 in a command to Paul himself to be baptized . We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Ananias who was 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Transform us as you transformed Paul. If Luke had any ax to grind on this issue, here would have been a great place to stress this matter, but he did not do so. Say to them, This is what the Sovereign Lord says. 5 And whether they listen or fail to listenfor they are a rebellious housethey will know that a prophet has been among them. 1:11--2:10; Philippians 3:1-14; Colossians 1:24-29; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; 6:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Titus 2:11-15; 3:1-7. He should not become uncircumcised. The blinding of Bar-Jesus thus seems to be the second major turning point in the ministry of Paul. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. If the worst sinner (Saul) was not too sinful to save, then you are not too sinful for God to save. 5:3-4). 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). For all the saints. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". We do not know the exact time when Saul was saved. (13) As Stephens death, instigated (or at least assisted) by Saul, resulted in an intense and widespread persecution of the churches in Jerusalem and elsewhere, so Sauls conversion seems to have been directly related to the return of peace (cf. Hear, you deaf! But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. One of the most dramatic revelations of Sauls Damascus road experience was that he was not serving God, but he was persecuting Him. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). It lay within the jurisdiction of the Roman province of Syria, and it formed part of the Decapolis, a league of self-governing cities. In Jerusalem, as in Damascus, Saul spoke out boldly proclaiming Jesus to be the Christ, the promised Messiah. And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time. And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. But the gospel is good news for sinners. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20). In other words, Is Sauls conversion typical and illustrative of the conversion of every saint, or is it unique, the exceptional case, which has little correspondence to most converts?. Damascus, a city some 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, was one such city. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). There is clearly no attempt to establish some kind of pattern or formula for evangelism here, at least as far as methodology is concerned. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? And when this time comes, God will use their obedience to serve Him: For if their rejection be the salvation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15). For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. Ananias came to Saul with grace to liberate him from his wrong-headed beliefs and open his heart to Jesus. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you (Deuteronomy 28:28-29). 10. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. He sent me so that you can While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). 116-117. In different contexts, preachers might want to draw specific analogies concerning those for whom the congregation should be praying even though it cuts against our grain to do so. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them (John 12:35-36). Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,. * [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. Before he reached Damascus a light flashed in front of Saul that was so bright he fell down on the ground. WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. Sauls conversion is a watershed event, catapulting the gospel to the Gentiles and to more distant places. Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. 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 children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. 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). In Pauls speech in Acts 22, he describes Ananias as a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews that dwelt in Damascus (Acts 22:12). 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. Many are the plans in a mans heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). He knew what Saul had done to the church in Jerusalem. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? The conversion of Saul, as depicted in our text, was not only a divine call to salvation, but it was also a call to service. But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7). What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? WebAnswer: > 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. Here I am, Lord, he replied. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst. 136. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. Handed down. Why did Saint Paul change his Why did Ananias and Sapphira sell their property? Saul, why do you persecute me? It may be that Sauls conversion was the instrument God used to convert these followers of Saul, so that they really were his disciples, in a two-fold sense. We will also attempt to determine to what degree Sauls conversion was typical and to what degree it was unique. Here the Jews were strong in numbers (10,000 butchered by Nero later) and here some disciples had found refuge from Sauls persecution in Judea and still worshipped in the synagogues. What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 1:15). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. Granted, his experience is unique and dramatic. 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 If the unity of Christ and His body, the church, were a vital truth with respect to Sauls persecution of the church, it was also a vital truth for him as a Christian. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments (Lamentations 4:14). 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). He paid for his education by working for the priests. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16). There will be no more night. Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). Q Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray (Revelation 18:23). Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). It is here in Acts, for the first time, that Saul is called Paul. We would readily grant that every conversion which is recorded is unique, to some degree. 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. WebYou know someone is coming, perhaps to arrest you for being a Christian. 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. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see Teaching from the Scriptures, p. The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter 87-89), plays out the two views of Sauls conversion, the first (and seldom held the view of Ramsay), that Saul was suddenly and radically converted; second, that there was a considerable process involved. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! He realized that it was nothing which he had donenor ever would dobut only by what Jesus Christ had done that saved him. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It strikes many readers as harsh, a return to Old Testament retribution. Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). The first is to ask the congregation to identify with Saul himself. The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. Rueban founded the Tribe of Reuban and Saul was King. Unexpected and mysterious ELW 258 All are welcome ELW 641, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics. * [9:20] Son of God: the title Son of God occurs in Acts only here, but cf. Theologically, we know this as the doctrine of mans total depravity.151 Paul surely believed that it was essential for men to begin with the understanding of their own sin, for in his Epistle to the Romans, he took the first two and one-half chapters to prove that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Who has saved us and called us to a holy lifenot because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. 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). He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Sauls eyes. On various occasions in his epistles, Paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion.132 Pauls theology, his lifestyle, his ministry, and his methodology, all are rooted in his conversion. 136 E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? 1:11--2:10; Ephesians 3:1-13; cf. Pauls conversion is one of the great stories of the early church, and it has rightfully inspired Christians from every generation. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). 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. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. . It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. And yet, even in opposing God, he furthered Gods purposes; he was instrumental in the evangelization of the Gentiles (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21). . ). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 115. Charles Spurgeon once wrote: Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Spirit upon the renewed heart. God was sealing Saul to Himself. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 6Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.f How was Saul converted to Christianity? 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? Grace is not only the basis for ones salvation, but also for ones spiritual walk and service: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7). Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. The light from heaven brought Saul to the ground. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. God chose Saul and had his destiny planned, before He saved him. . . The results of Sauls preaching were predictable, very much like the response Saul would have had (or did have) to the preaching of the gospel before his conversion. Saul Visits Jerusalem. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all (Romans 11:25-32). Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. Perhaps Ananias called a meeting of the church to discuss how they would deal with Sauls arrival. For Paul, the method of proclaiming the gospel must be consistent with the message itself, and so it was. Ananias and Saul - June 3, 2022. They could only kill him, and this they were determined to do (9:23). Let us avoid cookie cutter conversions.. When the plot became known to Saul, he made a successful, albeit undignified, escape from the city of Damascus. It is some 150 miles Northeast from Jerusalem and watered by the river Abana from Anti-Lebanon. And having escaped from Damascus in a basket, most likely alone, he probably returned to Jerusalem alone, without a witness who could corroborate his claims. (N)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Gods promises and purposes would not be stopped by this madman, Saul. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus.129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. There may well have been a long time between Sauls conversion and his arrival at Jerusalem. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). 24n but their plot became known to Saul. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, 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. 13But Ananias replied, Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones* in Jerusalem.k 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. (5) Sauls salvation was an act of divine grace. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. All rights reserved. A( ) Ananias is obscure. The words, Brother Saul must not have come easily to Ananias. 4. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. 151 The doctrine of total depravity is that every person, every man, woman, and child, has been affected (infected?) the citation of Ps 2:7 in Pauls speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:33). Pauls opposition resulted in the scattering of the Christians from Jerusalem, thus taking the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 8:1; 11:19-21). Saul, like Stephen, had a ministry which focused on the Hellenistic Jews. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (Isaiah 42:7). Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 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.