12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. 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. It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. The LORD identified Himself as the Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. WebAnd was Ana- nias still reluctant to help Saul after the Lord explained the situation to him? The message of the gospel, to be sure, is always the same, but the approach is not. WebAnanias, had he disobeyed Christ, would not have helped Saul on that path in which he, as Paul the apostle, did so much, and suffered so much, for Christ. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. The answer is: Jesus. 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. (5) Sauls salvation was an act of divine grace. There are affinities between his conversion experience and Ezekiels inaugural vision, in which the prophet saw the likeness of the heavenly throne and above it a likeness as it were of a human form (Ezek. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? 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. We would readily grant that every conversion which is recorded is unique, to some degree. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead for hypocrisy While their penalties seem extreme to us today, God judged them guilty of sins so serious that they threatened the very existence of the early church. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. Ananias Get up and go to the street called Straight, to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God (John 3:19-21). Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. The details of what was said and done when Ananias arrived are fuzzy. It is one of the few accounts of a conversion which is described with some detail (although this detail is much less than we would prefer). (3) The racial expansion from the Jews to the Gentiles. (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. NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. 154 What is both interesting and important about this text is that the call of salvation does not necessarily require a change of career. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). 17) and the restoration of the man after the shattering experience he had known, and for the early ministry in Tarsus, Syria, Cilicia, and Antioch, which prepared mind and method for the major assault on the pagan world. 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). 1:16f. 134 Blaiklock comes to this conclusion concerning the time of Sauls conversion: Probably the earliest acceptable date for the conversion on the Damascus road is AD 33. Ananias was afraid because he knew Saul's reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church . 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). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. 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. They could only kill him, and this they were determined to do (9:23). New King James Version (NKJV). Indeed, this seems to be the rule. 18Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. The Old Testament passages which I have suggested bear to Saul (blind, light) are passages which speak of Israel in their original context. Sauls conversion is a watershed event, catapulting the gospel to the Gentiles and to more distant places. 1:29, 30, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. During his conversion Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. 1:19; Rom. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. He sent me so that you can Saul, like Stephen, was a Hellenistic Jew. 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. 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). With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). 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. 2 Cor. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. But these laws, which seek to summarize the gospel in a concise way, should always be applied individually. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). 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. . He spoke of it as the movement from darkness to light (Colossians 1:12-13; Ephesians 4:8-14) in which the new believer should now walk. 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. Perhaps so, but I am not as confident of this as I once was. Rather, he sought the arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment (with imprisonment the norm and death the ideal, it would seem) of those in Jerusalem. 1:15). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. 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. Those who think themselves worthy of Gods blessings (as many Jews did in that day) are those who are in trouble. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. And because Saul is welcomed into the church, he is sent out by the church. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 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. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 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. It would seem not to be there on the road to Damascus. 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. Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it. 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. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). What a shock Sauls conversion must have been to both groups! He should not become uncircumcised. Before he reached Damascus a light flashed in front of Saul that was so bright he fell down on the ground. Stat two things God told Anaias concerning Saul Briefly describe what happened during Anaias' meeting with Saul. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. All of these should be expected and can be rather easily explained. Ananias Get up and go to the street called Straight, to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. Sapphira). 12 It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hopethe glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. vii.) Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:3). Ananias came to Saul with grace to liberate him from his wrong-headed beliefs and open his heart to Jesus. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to (1 Corinthians 7:15, 17-22, 24).154. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. 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). Those whose lives Saul would gladly have taken in his unsaved days now sought to save his life by sending him away.