But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1). Introduction. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city 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. 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. 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. Salvation is the miracle whereby God removes the blindness of sin and of Satan, whereby God replaces death with life. What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. 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. Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). on it belonged to the Roman province of Syria, but had a measure of municipal autonomy in the loose federation of cities called the Decapolis. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. (5) There is a good deal of emphasis on the results of Sauls conversion. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. This text portrays one of the historical landmarks of the church. Why this swift act of judgment? For less than $5/mo. 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. If this passage is profoundly important, it also poses its problems. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple (vs. 26). Saul had been granted permission by the high priest to arrest any man or woman in Damascus who were Christians. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. He has sovereignly chosen to use people to lead people to salvation, Spirit baptism, deliverance, and healing. In the process, Saul was to greatly extend the outreach of the gospel to the Gentiles. The message of the gospel, to be sure, is always the same, but the approach is not. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. 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 Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. You may unsubscribe from Bible Gateways emails at any time. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 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. * [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. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). 10. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been confined to bed for eight years, for he was paralyzed. Why were Ananias and Sapphira killed on the spot? 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. Ananias found When Paul spoke of his conversion here in Galatians 1, he did not speak of the light which shone without, but rather of the light which shone within. 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? How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? In Peters words, Ananias and Sapphira agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord(v9), which appears to be a terrible sin in the eyes of God, so terrible that it even warranted having the couple killed on the spot, without even being given the chance to confess and repent. 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. * [9:36] Tabitha (Dorcas), respectively the Aramaic and Greek words for gazelle, exemplifies the right attitude toward material possessions expressed by Jesus in the Lucan Gospel (Lk 6:30; 11:41; 12:33; 18:22; 19:8). 146 It is possible, however, to understand the expression, Brother, as referring to Saul only as a fellow Jew. Their attempt to deceive the apostles was an attempt to deceive God putting the Spirit of the Lord to the test (v. 9) and they paid the price! The splendid deliberateness with which God forged His human tool is the great lesson of these years. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead (Isaiah 59:10). Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. . also 2:14-17; 3:12-18; 4:1-18; 5:17-21; 6:13--7:1; Galatians 1:13-17; cf. The light from heaven brought Saul to the ground. The first words spoken to Saul were, Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9:4). One thing was certain; no matter how much time had passed, the apostles were not yet convinced of Sauls conversion. 2. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to God, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. He knew that going to see Saul would put his life in danger. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. 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. WebExplain why Ananias was told that Saul was a 'Chosen Vessel' Give an account of the vision which Saul had while traveling on the road to the Damascus. 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). 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. Yes, Lord, he answered. * [9:20] Son of God: the title Son of God occurs in Acts only here, but cf. 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. 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. In the end, God Himself will provide the illumination so that the sun and the stars will not be needed for this function: The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted (Isaiah 30:26). 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.. Christianity was described as putting off the old and putting on the new (Colossians 3). They are also very significant in what they conveyed to Saul. 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. 34Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. 1:16f. Enough revelation for the moment. We honor him on May 14. Ananias is not the last believer who has seen fit to keep God up to date (The Storytellers Companion to the Bible: The Acts of the Apostles). 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. 9. We are given a little insight from the account in Acts 12 when Peter was imprisoned and it appeared he would soon be executed, as James had already been, and as we would infer Herod purposed to do with Peter (Acts 12:1-4). Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. Many are the plans in a mans heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of Saul. (1 Corinthians 9:1). The answer is: Jesus. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. 150 It is interesting to ponder the identity of these disciples of Saul. 1. Bob is a pastor/teacher and elder at Community Bible Chapel in Richardson, Texas, and has contributed many of his Bible study series for use by the Foundation. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. Thus, his opposition to Christ and His church took on a missionary spirit. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. Granted, his experience is unique and dramatic. Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. How much does horse riding lessons cost in Bangalore? Peter Restores Tabitha to Life. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Fifth, faith must take the text on face value, as it is written, and believe it as Gods inspired, inerrant, authoritative word. 39So Peter got up and went with them. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 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 obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. 180-181. In peace, as in persecution, the church was comforted and continued to increase. 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. Used by permission. WebActs 9:1. Stat two things God told Anaias concerning Saul Briefly describe what happened during Anaias' meeting with Saul. . Ananias was that kind of a disciple. (Acts 9:11)? In this occasion, no one seems to have prayed for Peters miraculous escape. 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. How do you write a good story in Smash Bros screening? If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. The expansion is three-fold: (1) The expansion from Christ, to His apostles, to His church, (2) The geographical expansion from Jerusalem to Rome. Unexpected and mysterious ELW 258 All are welcome ELW 641, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics. Did Peter and Paul meet? We do not know the exact time when Saul was saved. sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. 28He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord. The question must be asked as to whether or not Sauls conversion has a more general application and relevance. 129 The history of Damascus goes back to remote antiquity. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. 9For three days he was unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank. It is here that Paul took the leadership and became the dominant or leading individual, instead of Barnabas. Am I not an apostle? In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight (Acts 9:10-12). When Saul stood up, he discovered he was completely blind, and the men who were with him had to lead him by his hand until they reached Damascus. The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. It almost seems harder to convince Ananias that Saul is (or will be) a Christian than it is to convert Saul. Continue Learning about Religious Studies. They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. 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. Saul recognized that he was a sinner, and that his righteousness was but dung before God. Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,137 both men and women,138 he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. There is a great deal of information we are not given, and thus we cannot be dogmatic about our conclusions. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. Israel was called of God and set apart to proclaim the way of salvation to the Gentiles. Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. 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. The Lord seeks and saves individuals, and thus our methods should be personal. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. * [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. WebSaul/Paul was a pretty mean guy who persecuted Christians. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. His conversion was the beginning of a life-long process of maturing and growth in the Lord. 10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Let us suppose further that the church had gathered on this particular evening for a time of prayer, prompted by the news that Saul was soon to arrive, with all the necessary legal machinery (that is, the authorization of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin130) to arrest and extradite131 the saints who were in the city. And now, he is preaching the same message. part of the price for themselves while donating it to the church A( ) Ananias is obscure. 16and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name. 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. What do Ananias actions, when asked in the passage to heal Saul, suggest about his feelings toward him? 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:4-11). But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children (1 Thessalonians 2:7). While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photolithoprinted}, 1966), p. 91. Some of the Hellenistic Jews responded to the preaching of Saul as they had to Stephens preaching; they wanted to kill him (9:29).
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