why was ananias afraid of helping saul why was ananias afraid of helping saul

. 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). Saul was received as a true believer, as a brother.146 The laying on of Ananiass hands, however, was a distinct act of identification with Saul. How was Saul converted to Christianity? He sent me so that you can 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. In order to have both, they pretended to give the full price of the sale of their property to the apostles. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in 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? Saul could only be persecuting Jesus through the members of His body, the church. And notice one more detail about the way in which Ananias did this. 18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. Some of the Hellenistic Jews responded to the preaching of Saul as they had to Stephens preaching; they wanted to kill him (9:29). 18Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Preachers can narrate verses 10-14, and then basically say, You see, Ananias didnt know what had just happened. There is not so much as a hint that anyone prayed for Sauls salvation or took the initiative to bring it about. He is trying to inform God of whats going on. We can learn more about his life in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and we can still read some of the letters he wrote that have been collected into the Bible, such as Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. 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. Handed down. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. (1 Corinthians 9:1). (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. His name was Ananias (not to be confused with the husband of 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 15:10; Gal. Granted, his experience is unique and dramatic. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. Israel too will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn. He says: It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. In this chapter we have, I. The salvation of Saul was to result in the gospel being preached to distant people and lands, and in the extension of the church to many key cities. Fifth, faith must take the text on face value, as it is written, and believe it as Gods inspired, inerrant, authoritative word. 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. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. in 1971. 37Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid [her] out in a room upstairs. He should not be circumcised. 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. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. In different contexts, preachers might want to draw specific analogies concerning those for whom the congregation should be praying even though it cuts against our grain to do so. In Galatians 1, Saul wrote that God had called him while he was still in his mothers womb (Galatians 1:15). 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. With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. For all the saints. i3&K>Kpg 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. 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). Q For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. . This light would thus have been very bright indeed. WebSaul had come to Damascus with letters from the authorities in Jerusalem to find followers of Jesus and arrest them. Saul immediately began to preach about the Son of God in the synagogues. Romans 6). 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 true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world (John 1:4-5, 7-9). 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. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. 9:31). 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. 20:32; 26:18) is a common term in Pauls writings and describes Christians as people who have been set apart for Gods service and must show an appropriate character. My names sake". 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. . 28, p. 185. Pauls opposition resulted in the scattering of the Christians from Jerusalem, thus taking the gospel to Judea, Samaria, and beyond (Acts 8:1; 11:19-21). Q&A 1. helpful to the Lord. also Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:3-11; cf. 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. After this incident with Paul we hear no more In Sauls account of his conversion to His Jewish brethren, he added that when Ananias arrived, he instructed him to Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22:16). He trusted that Christ had a future purpose for Saul (verse 15) even though Sauls past as he knew it seemed to point toward a different future. Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse Three times in the Book of Acts it is reported, the first time in the third person (he) by Luke (Acts 9:1-31), the second time in the first person (I) by the apostle, as he spoke to his Jewish unbelieving brethren in defense of his ministry (Acts 22:1-21), and the third time, again in the first person, as his personal testimony to King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice (Acts 26:1-23). 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. (5) Sauls salvation was an act of divine grace. 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). (Philippians 1:4-9). 2:1 He said to me, Son of man, stand up on your feet and I will speak to you. 2 As he spoke, the Spirit came into me and raised me to my feet, and I heard him speaking to me. 8 What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. Here the Jews were strong in numbers (10,000 butchered by Nero later) and here some disciples had found refuge from Sauls persecution in Judea and still worshipped in the synagogues. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. 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. During his conversion 141 Compare this voice with that in John 12:29. (Acts 9:11)? 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. 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. Paul would make much more of this point in the first chapter of Galatians. What Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. One is the truth from God Himself, 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). Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. 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. 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. [9:1] 8:3; 9:13; 22:4; 1Cor 15:9; Gal 1:1314. His parents allowed visiting priests to minister secretly in their home during the dangers of the French Revolution. here - view only). Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? The "Straight Street" or Via Recta in Latin, was a straight 43* r And he stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them (John 12:35-36). 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. 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. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 4. Yes, Lord, he answered. 10. 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. I. Howard Marshall summarizes the problem in these words: Nevertheless, we obtain a different impression of things from Galatians 1:16-24, according to which (1) Paul did not confer with men after his conversion nor go to the apostles in Jerusalem, but (2) departed to Arabia and then returned to Damascus; then (3) three years later he went to Jerusalem for a visit lasting a fortnight during which he saw only Peter and James, and at this time he was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea; thereafter (4) he went to Syria and Cilicia. In the process, Saul was to greatly extend the outreach of the gospel to the Gentiles. (10) Sauls encounter with Christ was not only a conversion, but it was also a call to a very specific ministry. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). Nevertheless, conversion has certain elements which are vital and which are to be present in any salvation experience. 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. Nevertheless, at some point in time Saul did arrive in Jerusalem. The couple wanted to appear as outstanding church members, but they didnt want to part with their possessions. It almost seems harder to convince Ananias that Saul is (or will be) a Christian than it is to convert Saul. 00:00. 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 Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:6-12). 1:15). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. This conclusion could be based upon Pauls argument in Galatians 1 and 2, along with the expression, when many days had elapsed in Acts 9:23. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 40Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. The cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. 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 1* Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,a went to the high priestb They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. It would seem not to be there on the road to Damascus. After this, Saul broke his fast and was strengthened. No sinner is beyond the grace and the grasp of God. 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). Despite the threats Saul had made and his notorious track record of persecuting, arresting and even affirming the execution of Christians, Ananias, whose 6Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.f 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.g 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! For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Galatians 2:8-9). A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:32). 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 12 That is why I am suffering as I am. They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 2 Cor. He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. Paul recognized that his ministry was that of bringing the light to those who were lost, including the Gentiles, kings, and his fellow-Israelites: For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27). One of the most dramatic revelations of Sauls Damascus road experience was that he was not serving God, but he was persecuting Him. 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). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Now they were keeping watch on the gates day and night so as to kill him, WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. At first he found himself in the position of being regarded as an apostate by the Jews and suspect by the Christian community of Jerusalem. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 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. Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? (Isaiah 42:18-19). 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). These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them (Isaiah 42:16). Saul, in my opinion, is portrayed by Luke as the first-fruits of these promises. 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. Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. the citation of Ps 2:7 in Pauls speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:33). Used by permission. east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city It says nothing about him receiving the Holy Spirit. . More than that, he had a deep dislike and hostility toward Christians before his conversion. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Let us not fail to respect the individuality of the conversion experience and to deal with people in the light of their individuality. Ananias was that kind of a disciple. The men who traveled with Saul were frightened and confused. 1 What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit because it was the Holy Spirit who dwelt in the apostles, giving them their power and authority. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. There may well have been a long time between Sauls conversion and his arrival at Jerusalem. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. 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. Web17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Matthew 4:16). 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 151 The doctrine of total depravity is that every person, every man, woman, and child, has been affected (infected?) Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? What happened to Straight Street since then? Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 1:4, 26-28; 2:1-7).143. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! 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). 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. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. What changed about Saul/Paul after Jesus appeared to him? We will also attempt to determine to what degree Sauls conversion was typical and to what degree it was unique. Am I not an apostle? Paul would later use this expression (in the plural) to address his unbelieving Jewish opponents, as in Acts 22:1. Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. 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. AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. %PDF-1.2 % The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". (1) Sauls salvation was the salvation of a sinner. In spite of the clear and present danger, Ananias went and began to look for the Christian hunter Saul. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness (John 12:46). 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. 27Then Barnabas took charge of him and brought him to the apostles, and he reported to them how on the way he had seen the Lord and that he had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. The first is to ask the congregation to identify with Saul himself. 26:63; Luke 22:67, 70). 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. Furthermore, in Acts 26:10 Paul testifies that he received letters from the chief priests, not just the chief priest alone. The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. What is the meaning of Sapphira in the Bible? They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.. Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? 145 We may note incidentally the two new descriptions of the Christians used here.