And when the Galatians began to depart from the true gospel, Paul rebuked them for turning from Him: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel (Galatians 6). Then you hear the Lord telling you to minister to that person. There is no more appropriate conclusion to our message than the words of the apostle Paul, which immediately follow those above, and which aptly express the response of the Christian to the wisdom, the grace, and the sovereignty of the God who has saved us, and who works all things together for His glory and for the good of His chosen ones: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! What a terrible revelation this isthat all are sinners, even the best, the most religious, the most righteous! 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). The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). 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). But beyond this, his conversion totally changed the remainder of his life. 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). Think about what happened as a result of this man overcoming his fear and obeying God. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 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.. It may be that Sauls conversion was the instrument God used to convert these followers of Saul, so that they really were his disciples, in a two-fold sense. The argument of the Book of Acts is essentially this: The expansion of the gospel through the church as it is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Yes, Lord, he answered. 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. 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? To Paul, his relationship, by faith, to Jesus Christ was also the beginning of his new relationship to the body of Christ, the church: Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christs afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. 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). ,/1Xa} V= endstream endobj 133 0 obj 634 endobj 94 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 88 0 R /Resources 95 0 R /Contents [ 98 0 R 100 0 R 102 0 R 104 0 R 122 0 R 124 0 R 126 0 R 129 0 R ] /MediaBox [ 0 0 792 612 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 792 612 ] /Rotate 0 >> endobj 95 0 obj << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB ] /Font << /F1 109 0 R /F3 106 0 R /F4 107 0 R /F6 118 0 R /F7 116 0 R >> /XObject << /Im1 127 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 131 0 R /GS2 130 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs5 96 0 R >> >> endobj 96 0 obj [ /CalRGB << /WhitePoint [ 0.9505 1 1.089 ] /Gamma [ 2.22221 2.22221 2.22221 ] /Matrix [ 0.4124 0.2126 0.0193 0.3576 0.71519 0.1192 0.1805 0.0722 0.9505 ] >> ] endobj 97 0 obj 1512 endobj 98 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 97 0 R >> stream He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (A)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Ananias., 11So the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (B)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. Q Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? The Essene community at Qumran used the same designation to describe its mode of life. . 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. 143 . WebAnanias, I am sure. Nevertheless, there must have been those who intended to use Sauls coming to oppose the church. Thank God that is what happened. I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. * [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, your saints.. 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. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. Salvation is a revolution, not an evolution. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). The first is to ask the congregation to identify with Saul himself. 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. 35And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Some were amazed, taking note of the dramatic turn-about in Sauls faith and practice (9:21). Saul went to other cities where he sought to arrest Christians and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. Did he still not realize who the Lord was? We shall then seek to identify the characteristics of Sauls conversion which are typical of every conversion. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Saul, in my opinion, is portrayed by Luke as the first-fruits of these promises. It was Gods initiative all the way. WebSauls Baptism. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 59:15b60:13). 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. 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. Let us not fail to respect the individuality of the conversion experience and to deal with people in the light of their individuality. 28, p. 185. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 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. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. the citation of Ps 2:7 in Pauls speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:33). Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. They could only kill him, and this they were determined to do (9:23). I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). 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. For the remainder of this essay, I will pursue the second option. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 9oY+ Here is a graphic illustration of what true repentance isit is a turning about, beginning with ones belief and bearing fruit in ones conduct. As at Damascus, Saul eventually had to leave the city of Jerusalem to save his life. It says nothing about him receiving the Holy Spirit. We would readily grant that every conversion which is recorded is unique, to some degree. Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2023, Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. A believing man or woman is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. (14) There is an interesting symmetry or parallel between the conversion of Saul and the conversion of Cornelius. What do Ananias actions, when asked in the passage to heal Saul, suggest about his feelings toward him? 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. 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. The voice from heaven did not call out, Have you ever heard of the four spiritual laws?152 Ananias was sent to Saul only. Peter Restores Tabitha to Life. They were to be a light to the Gentiles, but they failed. Who does the voice of Vanessa on Phineas and Ferb? How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. Pauls method was consistent with his message. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). required neighboring states to grant it the privileges of a sovereign state, including the right of extradition. Ananias the high priest brought charges against Paul and The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. 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. We know nothing of Ananias beyond this story in the shadows. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. 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, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. 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! How much does horse riding lessons cost in Bangalore? 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. . His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). We can overcome our fears if, like Ananias, we trust that Jesus is directing the preaching work, (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. In the process, Saul was to greatly extend the outreach of the gospel to the Gentiles. 21:29 (30); John 5:7; 12:21; 20:15; and should be so in John 9:36. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 130 In our text, we are told the Saul went to the high priest to ask for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus (9:1-2), but in Acts 22:5-6 Paul indicates that the Council (the Sanhedrin) was also involved in providing him with letters of authorization to arrest Christians in Damascus. Saul got help, though, from a man named Barnabas. Then he turned to her body and said, Tabitha, rise up. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.q [9:1] 8:3; 9:13; 22:4; 1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:1314. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16). It was only with the exit of Saul from the Holy Land, back to his native land (Tarsus), that peace once again returned. He didnt know that the risen Christ had confronted Saul on the road to Damascus just as Christ is now confronting him This sets up a flashback to verses 1-9. But the gospel is good news for sinners. 6:17; Phil. The Lord seeks and saves individuals, and thus our methods should be personal. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. 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. 22But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded [the] Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Messiah. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. Ananias had not only heard of how Saul had been systematically destroying the church in Jerusalem, hunting down men and women and turning them over to the authorities, but also knew that he was on the march to Damascus, ready to destroy that church as well. 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. Discuss 2 ways in which Paul suffered as an apostle Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was All rights reserved. The church sent him on his way to Tarsus by way of Caesarea. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 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. . 133 I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 173. (8) Saul was saved independently of the apostles. Saul could only be persecuting Jesus through the members of His body, the church. He wrote letters to the first churches in order to help them understand the Scriptures and to tell them how to live as good Christians. Pauls conversion is one of the great stories of the early church, and it has rightfully inspired Christians from every generation. The call of salvation is a call to holiness, and to obedience, and to fellowship, with God and with our fellow-believers. 25but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. Who told Saul to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street? 15But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,m Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? There is more space devoted to convincing Ananias than there is to the conversion of Saul. Ananias had not only heard of how Saul had been systematically destroying the church in Jerusalem, hunting down men and women and turning them over to the What can you say about Christianity when its most outspoken and zealous opponent suddenly claims to have seen the risen Christ, and to have trusted in Him as the Messiah? Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. Christianity was described as putting off the old and putting on the new (Colossians 3). 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). 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. Verse 18 tells us that, "straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight, and he arose and was baptized." Ananias is not only surprised by his commission; he is resistant to it, at least initially. Those whose lives Saul would gladly have taken in his unsaved days now sought to save his life by sending him away. Ananias baptised Saul in the name of Jesus - the one who had sent him to the vanquished enemy of the church. 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. Who is blind but my servant {Israel}, and deaf like the messenger I send? There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. The splendid deliberateness with which God forged His human tool is the great lesson of these years. Then, on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a vision of Jesus. How humorous it seems to hear Ananias informing the Lord that Saul was an enemy, one who had caused many Christians great suffering and adversity, as though He was unaware of this! According to Acts 9:10, Ananias was living in Damascus. To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (Isaiah 42:7). What did Ananias do for Saul? 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.
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