We would readily grant that every conversion which is recorded is unique, to some degree. Israel too will just as surely return to God; and when it happens, it will be all of God, all to His glory and praise: 15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. 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a chance to relate to Ananias dream that leads him to overcome his preconception of Saul (a correct but now outdated preconception), come to see Saul as someone God has called, and respond faithfully. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. 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. When one looks at all the references to this event, it was, in fact, a personal appearance of the risen, glorified Jesus to Saul (cf. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. Web3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. ). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 115. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. 10. Unexpected and mysterious ELW 258 All are welcome ELW 641, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics. Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? 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. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:12-16). 1:11--2:10; Ephesians 3:1-13; cf. Then, on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a vision of Jesus. Could it be that God had also appointed someone to meet Saul as he entered the city, with specific instructions as to where he was to stay? Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7; cf. It may well be a call to live transformed lives in the same circumstances in which we were found. 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. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray (Revelation 18:23). * [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18. Why did Saint Paul change his Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 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). (5) There is a good deal of emphasis on the results of Sauls conversion. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. Ananias (/nnas/ AN--NY-s; Ancient Greek: from Hebrew , Hananiah, favoured of the LORD) was a disciple of Jesus at Damascus mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, which describes how he was sent by Jesus to restore the sight of Saul of Tarsus (who later was called Paul the Apostle) and . No sinner is beyond the grace and the grasp of God. Saul proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God (9:20), a designation understood to refer to Israels awaited Messiah.149. All of this account describes the two complementary divine visions which Ananias and Saul received. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in . 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. One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. When God spoke to Ananias commanding him to go to the house where Saul was staying, he was to receive him as a brother; and he was told that he was called to suffer as Gods chosen vessel to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and to his fellow-Israelites. Let us not fail to respect the individuality of the conversion experience and to deal with people in the light of their individuality. Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. This man who had formerly cringed at the preaching of the gospel148 was now proclaiming the same message. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Saul Visits Jerusalem. After this incident with Paul we hear no more Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?d B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. This old city is the most enduring in the history of the world (Knowling). By divine revelation, Peter called out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and to God. * And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. Ananias not only To put it differently, the account of Sauls conversion in Acts 9 is but the first of three accounts, the other two coming from the lips of Paul himself. 23After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. Ananias son of Nebedeus (or Nedebeus) was a high priest who, according to the Acts of the Apostles, presided during the trials of the apostle Paul at Jerusalem (Acts 23:2) and Caesarea (Acts 24:1). Ananias was that kind of a disciple. 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). 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. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 113. There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. 34Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. (1 Corinthians 9:1). He paid for his education by working for the priests. We know from other accounts (22:6; 26:13) that it was high noon when Saul was stopped in his tracks by a bright light from heaven. Just as Saul was called to a live of suffering, so Peter tells his readers that they too, like all saints, are called to suffer for His name: To this {suffering} you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps (1 Peter 2:21). sight. Sauls Baptism. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. Sauls salvation was focused on one thing and on one thing aloneChrist. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse (10) Sauls encounter with Christ was not only a conversion, but it was also a call to a very specific ministry. Introduction. 18Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. 154 What is both interesting and important about this text is that the call of salvation does not necessarily require a change of career. There are two very important implications to the personal dimension of Sauls conversion. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Ananias baptised Saul in the name of Jesus - the one who had sent him to the vanquished enemy of the church. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Web3. 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. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. (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. What a shock Sauls conversion must have been to both groups! It is evident in the way he was saved. What do Ananias actions, when asked in the passage to heal Saul, suggest about his feelings toward him? 18 Was a man already circumcised when he was called? Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20). . These two shocking deaths served as an example to the body of Christ that God hates hypocrisy. This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. 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 Also, To him be honor and might forever. He knew what Saul had done to the church in Jerusalem. . The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. This doctrine does not hold that men are as bad as they could be in each area of their life, but that sin has permeated every dimension of a persons life. 92 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 94 /H [ 1243 743 ] /L 503600 /E 43371 /N 16 /T 501642 >> endobj xref 92 42 0000000016 00000 n 0000001188 00000 n 0000001986 00000 n 0000002200 00000 n 0000002434 00000 n 0000002614 00000 n 0000002636 00000 n 0000004226 00000 n 0000004248 00000 n 0000005775 00000 n 0000005798 00000 n 0000008986 00000 n 0000009009 00000 n 0000012094 00000 n 0000012305 00000 n 0000013156 00000 n 0000014011 00000 n 0000014230 00000 n 0000014604 00000 n 0000014827 00000 n 0000023280 00000 n 0000023869 00000 n 0000024230 00000 n 0000024446 00000 n 0000024731 00000 n 0000024987 00000 n 0000025380 00000 n 0000026152 00000 n 0000026257 00000 n 0000029454 00000 n 0000029477 00000 n 0000032108 00000 n 0000032131 00000 n 0000034910 00000 n 0000034933 00000 n 0000037945 00000 n 0000040047 00000 n 0000040070 00000 n 0000043063 00000 n 0000043141 00000 n 0000001243 00000 n 0000001964 00000 n trailer << /Size 134 /Info 91 0 R /Root 93 0 R /Prev 501632 /ID[<3cb89dccfaad5f26269ffad0f6f6443b><3cb89dccfaad5f26269ffad0f6f6443b>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 93 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 89 0 R >> endobj 132 0 obj << /S 672 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 133 0 R >> stream Proving (sunbibazon). Israel too will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn. 152 I do not mean to criticize the four laws of Campus Crusade, which have been used of God to bring many to faith in Christ. 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, 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. In this chapter we have, I. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. 2:7; 2 Tim. 15:21). 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. 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? Under the influence of this experience he gradually developed his understanding of justification by faith (see the letters to the Galatians and Romans) and of the identification of the Christian community with Jesus Christ (see 1Cor 12:27). And if this was important for Saul to do, it was equally important for the church to accept him into their fellowship, as an expression of their unity in Christ. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Saul, the typical (albeit more zealous) Jew, opposed God in the person of Christ and His body, the church, even while he thought he was serving Him. 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. Not everyone can be Paul, but we all can and should be Ananias. 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. Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard (Isaiah 58:8). Or could it be that these disciples of Saul were Sauls disciples before his conversion, who accompanied him as he sought to capture Christians. A letter delivered at that time by a Roman ambassador to Ptolemy VIII of Egypt concludes with the demand: If any pestilent men have fled to you from their own country {Judaea}, hand them over to Simon the high priest, so that he may punish them according to their law (1 Macc. The account records their sudden deaths after lying to the Holy Spirit about money. Jesus was alive and not still in the grave! We honor him on May 14. Present active participle of sunbubazo, old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. Second, the only result of this event shown in the Bible is that Saul received his sight. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. As he himself understood the heavenly voice which said to him at his baptism, You are my Son (Mark 1:11 par. . Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. 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 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). Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). 23:16-17, 19, 24; 23:26). The first is this: every saved person must have a personal conversion experience. The conclusion of many of the commentators is that Sauls conversion was a much longer process than I see reflected in this account, or in any other.
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