Indeed, this seems to be the rule. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, and said, You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? 2 Cor. Suppose you were a Christian who had just arrived in Damascus, and you had been able to learn the whereabouts of a group of believers. "how many things he must suffer for CE!L;oza!sQjaTsg When he was still very young, Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy. How much does horse riding lessons cost in Bangalore? also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. 20and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. Saul, like Stephen, spoke with such power and authority that his opponents could not refute him. I see a man who is confident, aggressive, and zealous, rather than a man troubled by inner doubts. Ananias They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. He realized that it was nothing which he had donenor ever would dobut only by what Jesus Christ had done that saved him. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ, 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. 00:00. 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. In Jerusalem, as in Damascus, Saul spoke out boldly proclaiming Jesus to be the Christ, the promised Messiah. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. He had heard of all the terrible things Saul had done to Christians in Jerusalem and how it was his intent to do the same in Damascus, Ananias town. How was Saul converted to Christianity? The New International Version 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. Ananias . You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. 23:16-17, 19, 24; 23:26). 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 blindness to which Saul was subject for three days provided him with much time for reflection, meditation, and prayer. Ananias was that kind of a disciple. Saul and Ananias | A Story of Learning to See Again 23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. On various occasions in his epistles, Paul made either direct or indirect references to his former life of opposition and his radical conversion.132 Pauls theology, his lifestyle, his ministry, and his methodology, all are rooted in his conversion. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in Ananias not only Paul Receive the Holy Spirit by the Laying When her lie had been exposed, she also fell down and died at Peters feet. * 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. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.. Ananias found Saul and said to him, Saul, my brother, the Lord has sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the way by which you came, that you may regain your sight and be filled with the holy Spirit. As soon as Ananias spoke, Saul could see again. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. Saul was told at the time of his conversion that God had chosen him to bear witness to the Gentiles, to kings, and to the Jews (9:15). 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. Saul was the bad guy. This Paul knew and testified to. It is not clear He spoke of salvation as dying to the old manner of living and as rising from the dead in order to live an entirely new life (Romans 6). 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. 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. But his blindness was symbolic of his condition. Then he turned to her body and said, Tabitha, rise up. She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.q Their story is rarely shown in art, but is the subject of one of the Raphael Cartoons, and a panel on the Brescia Casket, both illustrated here. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. 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). 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. And yet, even in opposing God, he furthered Gods purposes; he was instrumental in the evangelization of the Gentiles (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21). 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). There is clearly no attempt to establish some kind of pattern or formula for evangelism here, at least as far as methodology is concerned. (4) More space is devoted to the process of getting Ananias to Saul than is devoted to getting Saul to Damascus and to the home of Judas. 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. Grace is not only the basis for ones salvation, but also for ones spiritual walk and service: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7). It does not store any personal data. Transform us as you transformed Paul. 1:16; cf. Pauls conversion is one of the great stories of the early church, and it has rightfully inspired Christians from every generation. Those who know themselves sinners, and who call upon Jesus for salvation, are saved: For WHOSOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED (Romans 10:13, citing Joel 2:32). After this incident with Paul we hear no more There are no exceptions in this all of Romans 3:23, as Paul indicated in these Old Testament words, cited just before: THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS, ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE (Romans 3:10b-12). Damascus was an important town, about 150 miles (242 km) from Jerusalem, with a considerable Jewish population. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. 180-181. (You know, just in case God has forgotten something) They too rebelled against God and forsook His word and persecuted His prophets. Few Christians will encounter the risen, glorified Lord as Saul did here. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. And because Saul is welcomed into the church, he is sent out by the church. Have you had such an encounter? Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. was Ananias This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. 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. We know that Paul was not instantly a biblical scholar or a seasoned apostle. Lesson: Conversion Saul and Ananias Prayer God then used this man to further His purposes in launching the career of the most influential of the apostles. There he was transfigured before them. 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. Sermons about Ananias And Saul - SermonCentral.com The first thing we shall do is to make some observations on the passage as a whole to attempt to see the forest before we scrutinize the trees. Israel was called of God and set apart to proclaim the way of salvation to the Gentiles. 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. 1:11, Acts 20:23; 2 Cor. Obedience is often not easy, but it is very likely the most direct way forward and the clearest way to honor God. . We will also attempt to determine to what degree Sauls conversion was typical and to what degree it was unique. Nothing is more evident in the account of Sauls conversion than his radical reversal. Could Judas have been a Christian? Why did God send Ananias to Saul You, my brothers, were called to be free. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it . He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. Some of the Hellenistic Jews responded to the preaching of Saul as they had to Stephens preaching; they wanted to kill him (9:29). Israel was also blind, and Pauls blindness was but a specific example of this blindness: The Lord will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind. They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. The Lord Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. In this chapter we have, I. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 1:12-14). 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. part of the price for themselves while donating it to the church 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). 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst. It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5). Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. The answer to both questions is no. We dont know why Ananias is only mentioned once after Acts chapter nine. 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.g >zZ0y^C{tg 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. Though I have fallen, I will rise. Let us avoid cookie cutter conversions.. And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. Ananias and Saul: Faith over Fear - livingwithfaith.org Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 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). That He had already appeared to Saul "on the road" * [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18. Ananias who was Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? And if Sauls blindness led to his own conversion, at least the blinding of Bar-Jesus contributed to the conversion of the proconsul (and perhaps too his own conversionwho knows?). 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Some would like the excuse to make some changes to make their life more comfortable. 5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e * [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. But as Saul grew in strength and as his arguments were irrefutable, just as Stephens had been (Acts 6:10), his opponents realized that the only way to silence Saul was to kill him. There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Sauls baptism followed, accompanied by his profession of faith, his calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Did Peter and Paul meet? east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. 2 What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? 8 Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. with his wife Sapphira, sold some property and agreed to hold back (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. Thus, his opposition to Christ and His church took on a missionary spirit. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? A man once confessed to his pastor that even though he didnt think of himself as hating people, there was one person he really hated for the way the person had wronged him. 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. The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. Michael Garicoits (1797-1863) was born into a poor, but hardworking and humble family. 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. There are two primary options for preaching from this text. 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. 141 Compare this voice with that in John 12:29. Romans 6). `}Hq)l2hZ0r89asO70Da`qg ANANIAS 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight., 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (C)how much [a]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. * [9:119] This is the first of three accounts of Pauls conversion (with Acts 22:316 and Acts 26:218) with some differences of detail owing to Lukes use of different sources.