why was ananias afraid of helping saul
CE!L;oza!sQjaTsg 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul,why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who are You, Lord? Then the Lord said, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Acts 17:3). . 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 call to salvation is also the call to a life of holiness and obedience. WebThe Conversion of Saul. . . (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? 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. To the church, Saul turned out to be a friend, a fellow-believer, in fact, a flaming evangelist, who proclaimed Christ more clearly and powerfully than anyone had previously done in Damascus. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness (Micah 7:8-9). 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? The first question which must be asked with regard to the interpretation of this text is this: What is the meaning of this text in the context of the whole book? Luke has included this account of Sauls conversion in order to contribute to the argument which he is seeking to develop. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. Saul But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7). 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). Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:4-11). 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. After this, Saul broke his fast and was strengthened. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. He started to KNOW GRACE! Ananias not only 31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and, going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase. To Him be the glory forever. I believe that as Luke portrays Saul in Acts, it is as a prototype, a picture of Israel. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 19and when he had eaten, he recovered his strength.*. The towns of Lydda, Sharon, and Joppa were populated by both Jews and Gentiles and their Christian communities may well have been mixed. It is the invitation for sinful Israelites to be saved, by repenting and calling on the name of the Lord for salvation: Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. The men who traveled with Saul were frightened and confused. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. I see a man who is confident, aggressive, and zealous, rather than a man troubled by inner doubts. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him with the request, Please come to us without delay. (12) The same Saul who played a role in Stephens execution was to become, in large measure, his replacement. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. Gods promises and purposes would not be stopped by this madman, Saul. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is difficult. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. No, God showed him "how many things he must suffer for 11The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:32). WebAnd was Ana- nias still reluctant to help Saul after the Lord explained the situation to him? (9) On the road to Damascus, Saul did far more than to see a bright light and to hear a voice from heaven. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9). Rising Strong Small Groups 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. WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. 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. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. 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. 9For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. It strikes many readers as harsh, a return to Old Testament retribution. 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. 9:31). (Acts 9:11)? 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." (6) Sauls salvation was a conversion, a radical change. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. It was almost as though Saul had looked intently into the beam of an intensely powerful carbon-act light, the kind used as search lights. WebActs 9:10-18 Ananias. 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. 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 6Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.f 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). 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). You, my brothers, were called to be free. ananisofdamascus - Bible Facts * [9:1930] This is a brief resume of Pauls initial experience as an apostolic preacher. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. At first Ananias was afraid because he knew how Saul persecuted the Christians, but the Lord said that Saul had a special ministry he must fulfill. 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. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Impatient men forget that God is not bound by time. We will also attempt to determine to what degree Sauls conversion was typical and to what degree it was unique. 148 I would assume that Saul was one of those who covered his ears so as not to hear the praise of Stephen, as reported in Acts 7:57. by the sin of Adam. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. here - view only). The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. When he found him, he "laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'" Saul, like Stephen, spoke with such power and authority that his opponents could not refute him. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Ananias Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. 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). WebAnswer: > 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. Here I am, Lord, he replied. All rights reserved. Ananias It was surely fear (reverence), among other things, which prompted this. The result of that reluctant leap of faith is that Sauls eyes are opened and he is baptized, becoming part of (and eventually a leader in) the very church he sought to wipe out. He should not be circumcised. 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. Introduction: suppose you heard someone was coming to arrest you, or even worse. When the man asked why he should do this, the pastor said, I dont believe anyone can continue hating someone when they have consistently prayed for that person to be blessed by God. The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. sight. The church did not shrink or suffer for Sauls arrival, but it grew because of it. 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. 1. They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. Though I have fallen, I will rise. The apostles had nothing to do with Sauls conversion, and they were reluctant to believe it had happened or to welcome him into their fellowship. What happened when Ananias anointed Saul? A man who, along Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. As I look at the problem, I believe several conclusions must be drawn. 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). 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. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. 32As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. It is some 150 miles Northeast from Jerusalem and watered by the river Abana from Anti-Lebanon. Saul and Ananias | A Story of Learning to See Again Perhaps nowhere else is the radical change (of conversion) in Pauls life153 more readily evident than in his attitude toward the saints. In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed. When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking. When we look at Pauls great love and compassion for the saints, we have to remind ourselves of the hate he once had toward them. This can hardly be possible. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray (Revelation 18:23). 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. Thus, whenever he spoke of his conversion and his call to ministry, he always spoke of this incident as an act of divine grace, of Gods unmerited favor, of an act of mercy toward him: I have written you quite boldly on some points, as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles with the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:15-16). What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? Amen (Romans 11:33-36). Road to Damascus And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. Ananias and Saul - June 3, 2022. At length, in Gods good time, the door opened, and the events of half a lifetime assumed final and complete significance. E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles, (Grand Rapids: Wm. It was due to the intervention of Barnabas, a man who would prove to be a lifetime friend of Paul, that the apostles risked a meeting with him and then granted him the freedom to associate with the saints in Jerusalem. But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. He summed up life in this one word: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight. 9oY+ 138 Three times (8:3; 9:2; 22:4) this fact of persecuting women is mentioned as a special blot in Pauls cruelty (the third time by Paul himself) and one of the items in his being chief of sinners (1 Tim. And look, you blind, that you may see. 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. Pauls language in Acts 26:11 seems to mean that Damascus is merely one of other `foreign cities to which he carried the persecution. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. (4) Sauls salvation was miraculous. 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 Pauls experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1Cor 15:8. 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. The casting of this spell on this false prophet could therefore have been an act of kindness, as Gods blinding of Saul had been, intended to cease his opposition and perhaps even to bring about his conversion. As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. 21 Were you a slave when you were called? Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). No change in life is greater than the change from unbelief to belief in Christ, from being lost and condemned to being saved and eternally secure, from being separated from God and others to being united with Him and with all believers. 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 and Saul. If Ananias and Sapphira were born again believers and God judged them for their sin, it means that even though Jesus was judged for sin, God still judged them for their sin. (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. WebSauls Baptism. No doubt God had used Ananias to serve as Sauls first Barnabas. Just as Barnabas would vouch for Saul with the apostles in Jerusalem, so Ananias, a highly respected Jewish Christian, would vouch for Saul here. Those who think themselves worthy of Gods blessings (as many Jews did in that day) are those who are in trouble. Just as Saul was stopped short by his blindness, so was Bar-Jesus. Acts 26:18). In peace, as in persecution, the church was comforted and continued to increase. 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! Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Enough revelation for the moment. Handed down. 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? Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him, The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. WebThere was no indication in Jesus words that Ananias was going to give Saul the Holy Spirit. /w\/)sr?o|cBw3>E> 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. The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets.