5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e Ananias restores Saul's sight - Catholic Courier For less than $5/mo. 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. They could not out-argue him. * [9:43] The fact that Peter lodged with a tanner would have been significant to both the Gentile and Jewish Christians, for Judaism considered the tanning occupation unclean. Ananias Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! 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." Saul was the bad guy. He did not say that God revealed his Son to him, but that He revealed His Son in him. There is more space devoted to convincing Ananias than there is to the conversion of Saul. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. and the other is a deceptive, self-serving half-truth from people interested Ananias who was This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? 32As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). He paid for his education by working for the priests. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. 2. 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. Q Sermons about Ananias And Saul - SermonCentral.com 31* The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? Rueban founded the Tribe of Reuban and Saul was King. 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, 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. 132 The impact of Sauls conversion on his message and his ministry is testified to by A. T. Robertson: Luke evidently attached great importance to the story of Sauls conversion as the turning point not simply in the career of the man, but an epoch in the history of apostolic Christianity. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photolithoprinted}, 1966), p. 91. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:8-12). 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. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Acts 26:18). 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. Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. 116-117. The first words spoken to Saul were, Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9:4). What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. Indeed, this seems to be the rule. It is here that Paul took the leadership and became the dominant or leading individual, instead of Barnabas. 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. Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. The church sent him on his way to Tarsus by way of Caesarea. The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? Let us not fail to respect the individuality of the conversion experience and to deal with people in the light of their individuality. * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. 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 same grace which was shown to Saul in his salvation is shown to all whom God calls to Himself: 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. 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? 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. Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 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). Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was Were these people as eager as Saul to destroy the church? 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. WebAnd was Ana- nias still reluctant to help Saul after the Lord explained the situation to him? Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 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, whom we have already met (Acts 5:34-40). 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,* he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. a conversion of will, intellect, and emotion, which dictated the abiding purpose and direction of his subsequent life and activity. But these laws, which seek to summarize the gospel in a concise way, should always be applied individually. Also, When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple (vs. 26). Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations (Isaiah 51:4). Thus, he did not use the method of many others, which was man-centered, not Christ-centered: For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,137 both men and women,138 he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. * [9:2] The Way: a name used by the early Christian community for itself (Acts 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Encourage and rebuke with all authority. OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? was Ananias They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. 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. It was a city in the days of Abraham, and at the time of the Israelite monarchy it was the capital of the most important Aramaean kingdom. 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. 2. 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. Salvation may occur in a large group, such as those saved at the preaching of Peter at Pentecost, but each individual was saved because of a personal encounter with Christ. ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. s Purpose In Sending Ananias To Saul . 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). The Old Testament passages which I have suggested bear to Saul (blind, light) are passages which speak of Israel in their original context. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). Amen (1 Timothy 6:16). 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. on it belonged to the Roman province of Syria, but had a measure of municipal autonomy in the loose federation of cities called the Decapolis. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. 16For (I)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (J)names sake.. Ananias Loves Paul Missions Lesson 2 Lesson at a Glance To establish the congregations identity with Ananias, the preacher might want to begin in the middle of the passage which actually looks back to Acts 8:1-3 (and 9:1). Web17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me What are 3 long term physical effects of tobacco use? The remaining verses of this account describe the results of Sauls conversion, all of which serve as dramatic proof of his radical transformation as a result of his encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 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). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). It is here in Acts, for the first time, that Saul is called Paul. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. Paul Receive the Holy Spirit by the Laying For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). %PDF-1.2 % This man who had formerly cringed at the preaching of the gospel148 was now proclaiming the same message. At first, I thought this was unique with Saul. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. We will next seek to learn how this description of Sauls conversion fits into and contributes to the development of Lukes argument in Acts. 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). As at Damascus, Saul eventually had to leave the city of Jerusalem to save his life. WebSaul had come to Damascus with letters from the authorities in Jerusalem to find followers of Jesus and arrest them. There is a great deal of information we are not given, and thus we cannot be dogmatic about our conclusions. It does not store any personal data. Rising Strong Small Groups 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. . 1:16f. Before he reached Damascus a light flashed in front of Saul that was so bright he fell down on the ground. Then he turned to her body and said, Tabitha, rise up. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.q What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? What Paul learned about himself, personally, on the road to Damascus he came to understand and to preach concerning all men. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7). The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the Holy Spirit about money. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Few Christians will encounter the risen, glorified Lord as Saul did here. The risen Lord selected Saul out of the group with which he was traveling to hear, to see Him, and to understand His words. What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. To both Ananias (Acts 9:10) and Saul (Acts 9:12). It was only with the exit of Saul from the Holy Land, back to his native land (Tarsus), that peace once again returned. Your merchants were the worlds great men. 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. There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. What Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 10 i There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord. 11 The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of What happened when Ananias anointed Saul? Shortly afterwards, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias, asking him to go to Saul, place his hands on him, and restore his sight. In this approach, preachers are offering their congregation a chance to relate to Ananias dream that leads him to overcome his preconception of Saul (a correct but now outdated preconception), come to see Saul as someone God has called, and respond faithfully. His conversion was by far the most vital influence in Pauls life. Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight. (what was bad was that they lied about the amount). In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. Shortly afterwards, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias, asking him to go to Saul, place his hands on him, and restore his sight. WebYou know someone is coming, perhaps to arrest you for being a Christian. 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. 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. In this approach, preachers will offer their congregations a chance to relate to Sauls epiphany as a way of meeting Christ in the midst of our lives and being transformed by that encounter. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. * 6:17; Phil. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 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. 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). AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. 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. 145 We may note incidentally the two new descriptions of the Christians used here. 3 For it is we who are the circumcision, we who worship by the Spirit of God, who glory in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh4 though I myself have reasons for such confidence. 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). In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 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). 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 But as I see the call of God referred to in the New Testament, it seems that the call of salvation assumes other callings, to which Paul and other New Testament writers made frequent reference: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1). 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. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! It is, in the Bible, the radiance of Gods glory. He sought to preach Christ in simplicity and not in a way that would detract from Him. 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. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). * [9:20] Son of God: the title Son of God occurs in Acts only here, but cf. He trusted that Christ had a future purpose for Saul (verse 15) even though Sauls past as he knew it seemed to point toward a different future. Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in Saul sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. 1:26); but for Saul the one who bore a human form identified himself as a historical person: `I am Jesus. Few of Sauls distinctive insights into the significance of the gospel cannot be traced back to the Damascus-road event, or to the outworking of that event in his life and thought. Ananias 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. Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. He started to KNOW GRACE! There are two primary options for preaching from this text. Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. 10i There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord. It is difficult to estimate the amount of resistance Ananias would have had to this divine instruction to receive Saul as a brother in the Lord. About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. 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. 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. Am I not an apostle? Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. 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. 144 Was Ananias the one who told him what he must do? From 64 B.C. This is why Jesus was so receptive of sinners and so hard on the self-righteous. (Philippians 1:4-9). Not only does the narrator tell the story of Sauls transformation from persecutor to apostle in Acts 9, Saul himself re-tells the story twice when defending himself before persecutors (before the tribune in Jerusalem, Acts 22:1-21; and before Agrippa, Acts 26:1-23). Q&A 1. There will be no more night. Here is a graphic illustration of what true repentance isit is a turning about, beginning with ones belief and bearing fruit in ones conduct. also Isaiah 64:6). 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. 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). How much does horse riding lessons cost in Bangalore? * [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. Amen. The Book of Galatians is but one example of this. Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. by the sin of Adam. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. "how many things he must suffer for (You know, just in case God has forgotten something) 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. Those whose lives Saul would gladly have taken in his unsaved days now sought to save his life by sending him away. He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. Ananias would probably be afraid to go see Saul because Ananias was a Christian, and Saul was coming to the city to arrest the Christians. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lords wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. Barnabas, one of the Christians, assured them Sauls faith was genuine. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, required neighboring states to grant it the privileges of a sovereign state, including the right of extradition. 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). As I look at the problem, I believe several conclusions must be drawn. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers. 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. 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. Matt. 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