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

This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. Would the church not have undertaken the task of discipling these folks? 26o When he arrived in Jerusalem* he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. He should not become uncircumcised. This text portrays one of the historical landmarks of the church. 29He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,* but they tried to kill him. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Saul asked.I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. How much better to petition God to save those whom we are concerned about, a God who desires all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4). WebSaul had come to Damascus with letters from the authorities in Jerusalem to find followers of Jesus and arrest them. 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. For less than $5/mo. (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. In peace, as in persecution, the church was comforted and continued to increase. The approach the Lord took was one of dealing with Saul in the light of his sin, of his salvation, and of his ministry. Linking is encouraged, but content may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed including, but not limited to such means as framing or other digital copying and/or distribution method, in whole or in part without the publisher's written consent. WebSaul/Paul was a pretty mean guy who persecuted Christians. Who is blind but my servant {Israel}, and deaf like the messenger I send? It was surely fear (reverence), among other things, which prompted this. * [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. 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. Saul proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God (9:20), a designation understood to refer to Israels awaited Messiah.149. If he were viewed as a reactionary, a trouble-maker, perhaps there were some unbelievers who thought Saul was too much trouble. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. It is here that Paul took the leadership and became the dominant or leading individual, instead of Barnabas. To Paul, his relationship, by faith, to Jesus Christ was also the beginning of his new relationship to the body of Christ, the church: Now I rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christs afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church. Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). You also know this person is a recognized hater of your faith, and wants little if anything to do with you. Nevertheless, conversion has certain elements which are vital and which are to be present in any salvation experience. Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. The pastor advised him to pray for the person every day for two weeks pray for the person not about the person. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. 17So Ananias went and entered the house; laying his hands on him, he said, 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. God then used this man to further His purposes in launching the career of the most influential of the apostles. 11:2328; 12:710; Gal. * Hypocrisy is the most dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality the Messiah (ho Christos). There are affinities between his conversion experience and Ezekiels inaugural vision, in which the prophet saw the likeness of the heavenly throne and above it a likeness as it were of a human form (Ezek. 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. In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). This expression, calling on the name of the Lord seems to be one used consistently in the Old Testament. It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. (1 Corinthians 9:1). One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. It was Gods initiative all the way. Blaiklock, for example (pp. Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. He spoke of it as the movement from darkness to light (Colossians 1:12-13; Ephesians 4:8-14) in which the new believer should now walk. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. The call of salvation is a call to holiness, and to obedience, and to fellowship, with God and with our fellow-believers. We will next seek to learn how this description of Sauls conversion fits into and contributes to the development of Lukes argument in Acts. We will also attempt to determine to what degree Sauls conversion was typical and to what degree it was unique. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. 15 Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinnersof whom I am the worst. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, 26 Above the expanse over their heads was what looked like a throne of sapphire, and high above on the throne was a figure like that of a man. Then Jesus told them, You are going to have the light just a little while longer. In Pauls speech in Acts 22, he describes Ananias as a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews that dwelt in Damascus (Acts 22:12). ACTS 9:10-14 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! 2. 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. >zZ0y^C{tg He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. After this, Saul broke his fast and was strengthened. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Perhaps nowhere else is the radical change (of conversion) in Pauls life153 more readily evident than in his attitude toward the saints. But there is a greater discrepancy between the accounts of Sauls conversion in Acts and that which Paul gave in Galatians 1. He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. 12and [in a vision] he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay [his] hands on him, that he may regain his sight. All of these should be expected and can be rather easily explained. Pauls method was consistent with his message. In fact, more is written of what Saul said and did because he was saved than is written of what he said and did resulting in his salvation. 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. 25but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead for hypocrisy While their penalties seem extreme to us today, God judged them guilty of sins so serious that they threatened the very existence of the early church. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. I see a man who is confident, aggressive, and zealous, rather than a man troubled by inner doubts. 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. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. Ananias is not only surprised by his commission; he is resistant to it, at least initially. Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? Perhaps Ananias called a meeting of the church to discuss how they would deal with Sauls arrival. * [9:1930] This is a brief resume of Pauls initial experience as an apostolic preacher. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 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. That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. 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. 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 is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. 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. 5 How did God use Ananias in the New Testament? He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. 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. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to (1 Corinthians 7:15, 17-22, 24).154. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Saul Preaches in Damascus. 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 WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you (Deuteronomy 28:28-29). The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 129 The history of Damascus goes back to remote antiquity. 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). The conversion of Saul is a very crucial event in this book, which spells out from a historical point of view (Romans, from a theological viewpoint) the relationship of Jews and Gentiles in the plans and purposes of God. Do not let anyone despise you (Titus 2:11-15). Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2023, Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. (Philippians 1:4-9). Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse There are two very important implications to the personal dimension of Sauls conversion. 8 Although I am less than the least of all Gods people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter 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). For it was the Fathers good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him (Colossians 1:13-19). 6:17; Phil. 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. 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. Salvation is a revolution, not an evolution. 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 why would they be called his disciples? 25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. They found that their cause was literally shut down by Sauls arrival, and the wind was taken out of their sails by his conversion. 1:4). F. F. Bruce, p. 190. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 2 What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? 1:15). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. In Hellenistic times it was completely replanned on the Hippodamian grid-system. 1. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. Saul recognized that he was a sinner, and that his righteousness was but dung before God. 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). Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. 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). How true are two of the proverbs, which read: The mind of a man plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9). Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped (Isaiah 35:5). After this incident with Paul we hear no more of him. The words of Jesus, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Second, the only result of this event shown in the Bible is that Saul received his sight. 3 And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who art Thou, Lord?139 And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. 7 And the men who traveled with him140 stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.141 8 And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.142 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. When he arrived, they took him to the room upstairs where all the widows came to him weeping and showing him the tunics and cloaks that Dorcas had made while she was with them. Thus, persecuting the church was persecuting Jesus Christ. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Presumably this is the case, however I still wonder a bit about this. 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 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. the citation of Ps 2:7 in Pauls speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:33). 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). 15 These, then, are the things you should teach. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. 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, Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul. 1 What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. While Paul may not have brought about the execution of all those whom he arrested, including women as well as men (verse 2), verse 1 strongly suggests that this was his desire and ambition. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. 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? For the time being, God is using the disobedience of Israel to accomplish His purposes, but there is surely a time coming when Israel will be restored to the Lord, by faith in Christ. How many times should a shock absorber bounce? Let us be careful to discern what changes the gospel requires and what changes it does not. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? It is not clear We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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). The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. 1:19; Rom. to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Acts 26:18). Grace is also the source and the standard for our service: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person (Colossians 4:6). Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. WebAs Donald Davis notes, In case God has overlooked Sauls atrocities, [Ananias] takes occasion to issue a brief reminder. He was to come to the earth as the great light, the light to the Gentiles, and so He did. But the gospel is good news for sinners. (Acts 9:11)? By divine revelation, Peter called out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and to God. 136 E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. Why do you think the street was named "Straight" Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. 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! The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world (John 1:4-5, 7-9). 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. One is the truth from God Himself, Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. . His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). 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. 150 It is interesting to ponder the identity of these disciples of Saul. 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. 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. Handed down. 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. Damascus, a city some 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, was one such city. If the unity of Christ and His body, the church, were a vital truth with respect to Sauls persecution of the church, it was also a vital truth for him as a Christian. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7). Have I not seen Jesus our 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 authorities, but also knew that he was on the march to Damascus, ready to destroy that church as well. WebSauls Baptism. 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. He paid for his education by working for the priests. 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. It is also bad news for the self-righteous. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.