Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter The result was the restoration of Sauls sight and, it would seem, Sauls reception of the Holy Spirit. here - view only). 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). 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. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). 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. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit because it was the Holy Spirit who dwelt in the apostles, giving them their power and authority. He summed up life in this one word: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 129 The history of Damascus goes back to remote antiquity. Only a radical conversion can produce this attitude in the life of a man like Saul: For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8). 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). Thus, it is grace which sustains the saint, in addition to saving him: Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited (Hebrews 13:9). 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). It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click 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? Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. But these laws, which seek to summarize the gospel in a concise way, should always be applied individually. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, Please come to us without delay. . B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photolithoprinted}, 1966), p. 91. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? 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. 129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is difficult. This man who had formerly cringed at the preaching of the gospel148 was now proclaiming the same message. We will next seek to learn how this description of Sauls conversion fits into and contributes to the development of Lukes argument in Acts. Just as Saul was stopped short by his blindness, so was Bar-Jesus. 41He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16). 2. * [9:1930] This is a brief resume of Pauls initial experience as an apostolic preacher. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus. 5 How did God use Ananias in the New Testament? Ananias came to Saul with grace to liberate him from his wrong-headed beliefs and open his heart to Jesus. 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. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? * [9:3143] In the context of the period of peace enjoyed by the community through the cessation of Pauls activities against it, Luke introduces two traditions concerning the miraculous power exercised by Peter as he was making a tour of places where the Christian message had already been preached. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. Saul had been granted permission by the high priest to arrest any man or woman in Damascus who were Christians. This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. Why do you think the street was named "Straight" It is some 150 miles Northeast from Jerusalem and watered by the river Abana from Anti-Lebanon. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. And yet while God had foretold the rebellion of Israel and their rejection, so He had also foretold of Israels restoration (cf. Is paralegal higher than legal assistant? \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. Trembling and astonished, he inquired, Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. 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. But his blindness was symbolic of his condition. 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. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the One who spoke to him was Jesus of Nazareth, the long-looked-for Messiah, the Consolation and Redeemer of Israel. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. And the second group, who were waiting for Saul to come and help them deal with the followers of the Way, were about to discover that Saul had joined them, perhaps bringing other members of the opposition along with him. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the 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). In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Conybeare and Howson {The Life and Times of Saint Paul, p. 77 (sic punct.)} Your merchants were the worlds great men. 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. Sauls salvation was focused on one thing and on one thing aloneChrist. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14; cf. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 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. Damascus was an important town, about 150 miles (242 km) from Jerusalem, with a considerable Jewish population. Ananias and Saul in Damascus. One of the most dramatic revelations of Sauls Damascus road experience was that he was not serving God, but he was persecuting Him. 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. He knew what Saul had done to the church in Jerusalem. 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). Sauls conversion was also his call to ministry, and this conversion experience is strikingly similar to that of one of his predecessors, Ezekiel: 1:4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the northan immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. Even then he knew he wanted to live the life of a religious. He should not be circumcised. It is, in the Bible, the radiance of Gods glory. a. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. 138 Three times (8:3; 9:2; 22:4) this fact of persecuting women is mentioned as a special blot in Pauls cruelty (the third time by Paul himself) and one of the items in his being chief of sinners (1 Tim. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. Ananias found Saul and said to him, 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. As soon as Ananias spoke, Saul could see again. He started NOW to trust God. Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse Acts does not tell us that he goes on to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, found churches in urban centers across the Roman Empire, stand true to the gospel while on trial for his faith over and again, and end up under house arrest in Rome awaiting a trial before Caesar. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? Then he turned to her body and said, Tabitha, rise up. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.q WebAnanias was afraid of Saul. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. He amazed everyone because they knew he was speaking the same words as the people he had been persecuting. Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). From 64 B.C. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Jesus dealt with Nicodemus (John 3) very differently from the Samaritan woman (John 4). Elsewhere in Acts, such as with the apostles, Stephen and Philip, the message of the gospel was underscored by signs and wonders which accompanied the message. 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." What a terrible revelation this isthat all are sinners, even the best, the most religious, the most righteous! 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. A letter delivered at that time by a Roman ambassador to Ptolemy VIII of Egypt concludes with the demand: If any pestilent men have fled to you from their own country {Judaea}, hand them over to Simon the high priest, so that he may punish them according to their law (1 Macc. Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. The light from heaven brought Saul to the ground. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. And because Saul is welcomed into the church, he is sent out by the church. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. * [9:36] Tabitha (Dorcas), respectively the Aramaic and Greek words for gazelle, exemplifies the right attitude toward material possessions expressed by Jesus in the Lucan Gospel (Lk 6:30; 11:41; 12:33; 18:22; 19:8). 4. "how many things he must suffer for 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. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lords freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christs slave. Peter Restores Tabitha to Life. There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. And, who knows, God may even answer those prayers and the persons life be blessed and changed in ways we cannot even imagine.. No, God showed him "how many things he must suffer for It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. Ananias fulfills his task: 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 It would seem not to be there on the road to Damascus. There are all too many autonomous Christians, those who feel that coming to faith in Christ does not necessitate identifying with His body, the church. Introduction. 136. Note the following impressions gained from a reflection on the passage as a whole. 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. Many are the plans in a mans heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. Israel too will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn. 1:1; 1 Cor. 9. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move Saul got help, though, from a man named Barnabas. When I look through the Gospels and the Book of Acts, I never find the gospel presented in the same way to different people. Furthermore, in Acts 26:10 Paul testifies that he received letters from the chief priests, not just the chief priest alone. In this chapter we have, I. The first words spoken to Saul were, Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9:4). Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. In Galatians 1, Saul wrote that God had called him while he was still in his mothers womb (Galatians 1:15). The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. His conversion was the beginning of a life-long process of maturing and growth in the Lord. 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 That is all we know about Ananias - the small but essential part he played at the start of Paul's pilgrimage of faith. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. First, there are problems which appear to be serious. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. The life-changing implications of conversion are expressed in these words of Paul to Titus: 11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. 139 A. T. Robertson writes, It is open to question if kurie should not here be translated Sir as in 16:30 and in Matt. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. After he put his hands on Saul, the Bible only records that Saul received his sight. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. 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. 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? CE!L;oza!sQjaTsg He goes for broke. 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. 3. The Lord There are no exceptions in this all of Romans 3:23, as Paul indicated in these Old Testament words, cited just before: THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE (Romans 3:10b-12). This silence is instructive, in my opinion. Saul went to other cities where he sought to arrest Christians and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. * [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. Hear, you deaf! 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? They do not understand the gospel well enough. Later, when Paul looked back on his past devotion and deeds, all done in the name of Judaism, he came to view his apparent righteous deeds for what they really weredung: 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! We do not know the exact time when Saul was saved. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. (12) The same Saul who played a role in Stephens execution was to become, in large measure, his replacement. The only question is who is the LORD? 9For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. Let us be careful to discern what changes the gospel requires and what changes it does not. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life. . The risen Lord selected Saul out of the group with which he was traveling to hear, to see Him, and to understand His words. This doctrine does not hold that men are as bad as they could be in each area of their life, but that sin has permeated every dimension of a persons life. ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v Unexpected and mysterious ELW 258 All are welcome ELW 641, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness (Micah 7:8-9). * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. 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. The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. He sent me so that you can Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. 26:63; Luke 22:67, 70). Web3. 37Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid [her] out in a room upstairs. Before he reached Damascus a light flashed in front of Saul that was so bright he fell down on the ground. That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. 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. Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! Leave them; they are blind guides. Nevertheless, conversion has certain elements which are vital and which are to be present in any salvation experience. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 9:31). He started to KNOW GRACE! 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. 3 And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who art Thou, Lord?139 And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. 7 And the men who traveled with him140 stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.141 8 And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.142 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of Saul. No change in life is greater than the change from unbelief to belief in Christ, from being lost and condemned to being saved and eternally secure, from being separated from God and others to being united with Him and with all believers. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. They were to be a light to the Gentiles, but they failed. If there is one thing of which Saul is now convinced (by what he has so far seen and heard on the road) it is that whoever he is talking to is LORD. 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 also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. There are differences between the three accounts given to us in Acts. At first Ananias was afraid because he knew how Saul persecuted the Christians, but the Lord said that Saul had a special ministry he must fulfill. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. All of this account describes the two complementary divine visions which Ananias and Saul received. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.. Damascus, a city some 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, was one such city. Saul recognized that he was a sinner, and that his righteousness was but dung before God. But why would they be called his disciples? How was Saul converted to Christianity? 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. In Damascus, the Lord had spoken to a man named Ananias, and the Lord told Ananias to find Saul and to lay his hands on Saul and pray so that Sauls sight would be restored. Sauls baptism followed, accompanied by his profession of faith, his calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). We may not be able to identify the precise moment or the exact events which brought it about, but salvation does not happen in some kind of group way. (N)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Thus, persecuting the church was persecuting Jesus Christ. 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). Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? 34Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus followers What did Ananias's do to heal Paul's eyes? 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. (2) While there is considerable emphasis on the conversion of Saul, there is very little detail given as to the precise time or the details of Sauls conversion. 30And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.p. 2, called him Ananias ben Nebedeus. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. The pastor advised him to pray for the person every day for two weeks pray for the person not about the person. In spite of the clear and present danger, Ananias went and began to look for the Christian hunter Saul. Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? (Isaiah 42:18-19). A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.