19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. 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). 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). 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. 2 Corinthians 4:14; cf. How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? How much better to petition God to save those whom we are concerned about, a God who desires all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. Ananias the high priest brought charges against Paul and 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 conversion of Saul is important in another way. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? WebSaul/Paul was a pretty mean guy who persecuted Christians. 00:00. That He had already appeared to Saul "on the road" And laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. We can overcome our fears if, like Ananias, we trust that Jesus is directing the preaching work, If he were viewed as a reactionary, a trouble-maker, perhaps there were some unbelievers who thought Saul was too much trouble. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 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. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped (Isaiah 35:5). In this occasion, no one seems to have prayed for Peters miraculous escape. 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. There is no story in Acts more important than Saul/Pauls call, his encounter with the risen Christ. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? 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. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. WebAnd was Ana- nias still reluctant to help Saul after the Lord explained the situation to him? 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. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he There would likely be another group of people meeting on the evening before Saul arrived in Damascusthose who did not believe in Jesus as their Messiah, and who eagerly sought the eradication of the church in their city. 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). (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. . Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lords wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. 136. Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. 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. Enough revelation for the moment. 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. Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul. One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! 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. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. If this passage is profoundly important, it also poses its problems. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. When Ananias This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. ananisofdamascus - Bible Facts Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. He hears the voice of the Lord crying out to him. These two shocking deaths served as an example to the body of Christ that God hates hypocrisy. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w There may well have been a long time between Sauls conversion and his arrival at Jerusalem. (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. Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. He paid for his education by working for the priests. 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. But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. also Psalm 50:15; Joel 2:32; Jeremiah 29:12; 33:3-8). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments (Lamentations 4:14). remark on the symmetry with which Luke sets forth the two stories: The simultaneous preparation of the hearts of Ananias and of Saul, and the simultaneous preparation of those of Peter and Cornelius,the questioning and hesitation of Peter and the questioning and hesitation of Ananias,the one doubting whether he might make friendship with the Gentiles, the other doubting whether he might approach the enemy of the Church,the unhesitating obedience of each when the Divine will was made known,the state of mind in which both the Pharisee and the centurion were found,each waiting to see what the Lord would say to them,this close analogy will not be forgotten by those who reverently read the two consecutive chapters. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Saul, like Stephen, had a ministry which focused on the Hellenistic Jews. Acts 9:10-19 Acts 22:12-16 - Webflow Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. (7) The salvation of Saul was Christ-centered. And because Saul is welcomed into the church, he is sent out by the church. 23:16-17, 19, 24; 23:26). 142 His companions therefore took him by the hand and led him through the gate of Damascus to the place where, presumably, arrangements had been made for him to stay. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 185. The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision. Those who know themselves sinners, and who call upon Jesus for salvation, are saved: For WHOSOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13, citing Joel 2:32). Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? Saul got help, though, from a man named Barnabas. Saul, like Israel, had been blinded as to the meaning of the law because of his rejection of Christ (cf. 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. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. What Ananias didnt know is that Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Their attempt to deceive the apostles was an attempt to deceive God putting the Spirit of the Lord to the test (v. 9) and they paid the price! 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). (3) Sauls conversion experience was quick and dramatic in one sense, but it also involved a process, a process of at least three days.135. What else did Jesus explain to Ananias? * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. 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. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was helpful to the Lord. Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. * [9:1930] This is a brief resume of Pauls initial experience as an apostolic preacher. Israels watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to sleep (Isaiah 43:8-10). 2. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. 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. 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. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 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.
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