It was, of course, Ananias who instructed Saul to be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). 29He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,* but they tried to kill him. 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, like Stephen, had a ministry which focused on the Hellenistic Jews. To the church, Saul turned out to be a friend, a fellow-believer, in fact, a flaming evangelist, who proclaimed Christ more clearly and powerfully than anyone had previously done in Damascus. The Lesson of Ananias | Tim Challies was Ananias ACTS 9:10-14 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, There is no story in Acts more important than Saul/Pauls call, his encounter with the risen Christ. Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. He paid for his education by working for the priests. It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. Saul is welcomed into the church. 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). a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. 18Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst. There are differences between the three accounts given to us in Acts. Saul immediately began to preach about the Son of God in the synagogues. 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? But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. vii.) 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. Introduction. 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. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; cf. It was evidently a term used by the early followers of Jesus to denote their movement as the way of life or the way of salvation. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. The emphasis in the account is on Paul as a divinely chosen instrument (Acts 9:15). Perhaps nowhere else is the radical change (of conversion) in Pauls life153 more readily evident than in his attitude toward the saints. He goes for broke. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. It would seem not to be there on the road to Damascus. part of the price for themselves while donating it to the church I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). How do you write a good story in Smash Bros screening? 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. Sauls Baptism. 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. Nevertheless, there must have been those who intended to use Sauls coming to oppose the church. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. The only question is who is the LORD? Salvation is a revolution, not an evolution. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. 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). 154 What is both interesting and important about this text is that the call of salvation does not necessarily require a change of career. Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. came under Alexander the Great's rule. The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). The New International Version His conversion was by far the most vital influence in Pauls life. Lessons from a Fearful Follower ESCAPES IN A BASKET Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him, (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. 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. 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. Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. 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. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14; cf. For less than $5/mo. In the Bible, Reuben and Saul were of no relation to each other. The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. Ananias Loves Paul Missions Lesson 2 Lesson at a Glance 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. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). In 2 Corinthians 11:32 Paul speaks of an ethnarch of Aretas, the king of the Nabataean Arabs, who guarded the city to prevent him escaping from it. In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. Did they send for Saul? 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). 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. 2 Corinthians 4:14; cf. WebAs Donald Davis notes, In case God has overlooked Sauls atrocities, [Ananias] takes occasion to issue a brief reminder. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in 22:10 `What shall I do, Lord? A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, pp. Rather than attempt to pacify Ananias or to alleviate his apprehension, God went on to tell him that Saul would not only be a brother, but he would be His instrument for bringing the gospel to Gentiles too. ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. WebSauls Baptism. Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. 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. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in The conversion of Saul is a very crucial event in this book, which spells out from a historical point of view (Romans, from a theological viewpoint) the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the plans and purposes of God. Ananias was that kind of a disciple. 8 Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? By divine revelation, Peter called out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and to God. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photolithoprinted}, 1966), p. 91. 15:8; Gal. Ananias and Saul - June 3, 2022. 13:1 On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity (Zechariah 12:1013:1). 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.l 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. There may well have been a long time between Sauls conversion and his arrival at Jerusalem. The man who, days before, was persecuting Christ was now preaching Christ. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? That our Lords contemporaries believed the Messiah to be in some special sense the son of God is rendered probable by the wording of the high priests question to him at his trial: `Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? (Mark 14:61 par. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. In 47 B.C. This is why Jesus was so receptive of sinners and so hard on the self-righteous. For the remainder of this essay, I will pursue the second option. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? WebSaul/Paul was a pretty mean guy who persecuted Christians. 1:19; Rom. And so, Saul asked the LORD who He was. The splendid deliberateness with which God forged His human tool is the great lesson of these years. 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). 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. The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. My names sake". We can learn more about his life in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and we can still read some of the letters he wrote that have been collected into the Bible, such as Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. That is all we know about Ananias - the small but essential part he played at the start of Paul's pilgrimage of faith. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 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, Could Judas have been a Christian? Now this would have been a very bitter pill to swallow for many Jewish Christians. 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. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Saul Saul More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death (Philippians 3:7-10). It is not clear whether this official was a representative of the king resident in Damascus to look after the interests of the Arabs there, or whether Damascus at this time was under the control of Nabataea. I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 168. Sauls baptism followed, accompanied by his profession of faith, his calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). with his wife Sapphira, sold some property and agreed to hold back They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. 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. 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 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). It is not a transition, but a transformation. He got up and was baptized, 153 Sauls conversion did not bring instant maturity or spirituality, but was the point where growth commenced. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. The conversion of Saul is important in another way. Even then he knew he wanted to live the life of a religious. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christtheir Lord and ours 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 9). Hb```f``:Ab,=`.9Z3{x5v\);]c#qea #'&D|z:wyKN,0(t\tbRFhT2thS2(9.`mNbq)-pk^;>:+pq2Ck AUbK=N\2M/`KqGLZS1 $[S|Rd\.9i'9T\.EXdxlYcqb He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. What a shock these words must have been to Saul, who up to this point, seems to have prided himself for his faithfulness to Judaism! We can overcome our fears if, like Ananias, we trust that Jesus is directing the preaching work, Acts 9:19-23 Saul in Damascus. 131 . It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Saul, in my opinion, is portrayed by Luke as the first-fruits of these promises. 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? To both Ananias (Acts 9:10) and Saul (Acts 9:12). what occupation he was (possibly a businessman). (6) Sauls salvation was a conversion, a radical change. Sermons about Ananias And Saul - SermonCentral.com 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. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. Not knowing what had happened, she, too, lied about the offering and was also struck dead (Acts 5:111). Web3. They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments (Lamentations 4:14). I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. The Story of Ananias: Faith over Fear | Tactical Christianity (1) Sauls salvation was the salvation of a sinner. Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. 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). Road to Damascus Web3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 27Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 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. To him be honor and might forever. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory (Isaiah 60:19). Thank God that is what happened. You, my brothers, were called to be free. 9 What happened to Sapphira in the Bible? Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. WebActs 9:10-18 Ananias. No, Ananias did not do any of these things so far as the author of Luke-Acts is concerned. During the subsequent Roman rule, the Let us avoid cookie cutter conversions.. He became a priest himself in 1823. 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. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! And yet while God had foretold the rebellion of Israel and their rejection, so He had also foretold of Israels restoration (cf. Thus, persecuting the church was persecuting Jesus Christ. 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.. 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. With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11). 1. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse Pauls method was consistent with his message.