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, And notice one more detail about the way in which Ananias did this. 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. The words and actions of Ananias are an evidence of his faith and obedience to the divine commission he was given, as outlined by Luke in the verses above. In this approach, preachers are offering their congregation a chance to relate to Ananias dream that leads him to overcome his preconception of Saul (a correct but now outdated preconception), come to see Saul as someone God has called, and respond faithfully. (8) Saul was saved independently of the apostles. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. New King James Version (NKJV). Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. . In order to have both, they pretended to give the full price of the sale of their property to the apostles. My names sake". There is clearly no attempt to establish some kind of pattern or formula for evangelism here, at least as far as methodology is concerned. For less than $5/mo. The life of Paul and his writings are very important parts of the New Testament. The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). That is because our Lord always confronts, convicts, and converts men and women individually, in the light of their own actions and beliefs. 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). 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. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. What Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. 3. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. Luke is emphatic in his representation of mans salvation as having been ordained and orchestrated by God, as a manifestation of His sovereign grace: And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord; and as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed (Acts 13:48). He is there praying,j It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. WebAnanias, I am sure. (3) The racial expansion from the Jews to the Gentiles. There would likely be another group of people meeting on the evening before Saul arrived in Damascusthose who did not believe in Jesus as their Messiah, and who eagerly sought the eradication of the church in their city. the Romans . 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. 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 2 What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 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? Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. 10 i There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord. 11 The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of 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. Sapphira). 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). A( ) Ananias is obscure. Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus.129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. . The light was the light of His glory. Saul, as it were, saw the light, but in addition, he was to become a light, a light to the Gentiles, as well as to his own people. Over and over in his epistles, Paul spoke of salvation in terms of radical change. Perhaps nowhere else is the radical change (of conversion) in Pauls life153 more readily evident than in his attitude toward the saints. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. This silence is instructive, in my opinion. 34Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Before he reached Damascus a light flashed in front of Saul that was so bright he fell down on the ground. 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. 180-181. Hd7/`l@TM0h#`C2 +u-AsQ3j++&?Fu7_[1_?a^J> Perhaps so, but I am not as confident of this as I once was. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Ananias found I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). 15 But if the unbeliever leaves, let him do so. It is the very word that Luke will use in 16:10 of the conclusion reached at Troas concerning the vision of Paul. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? He spoke of salvation as the change from death to life (Ephesians 2:1-3). This happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Salvation is the miracle whereby God removes the blindness of sin and of Satan, whereby God replaces death with life. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. 29He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,* but they tried to kill him. It was evidently a term used by the early followers of Jesus to denote their movement as the way of life or the way of salvation. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 135 There are those who describe Saul as a tormented man after the stoning of Stephen. Indeed, this seems to be the rule. 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. As at Damascus, Saul eventually had to leave the city of Jerusalem to save his life. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Sauls salvation was focused on one thing and on one thing aloneChrist. One is the truth from God Himself, The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". WebAs Donald Davis notes, In case God has overlooked Sauls atrocities, [Ananias] takes occasion to issue a brief reminder. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. Ananias who was The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. Verses 1 and 2 vividly depict Sauls intent, his intense desire and determination to rid the world of Christianity by taking active, aggressive, severe action against those saints who had fled from Jerusalem. of him. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. How old was Jesus when he was crucified? 4. And what a comfort to know that God always finishes what He starts: For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). * [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. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. If the blinding of Saul was a major turning point in his life, so was the blinding of Bar-Jesus. When the plot became known to Saul, he made a successful, albeit undignified, escape from the city of Damascus. We know from Romans 7, for example, that Paul had struggles in his spiritual walk. 149 It is more significant than might be supposed at first glance that the only occurrence of the title `Son of God in Acts should be in this report of Sauls early preaching. 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). 5:3-4). Trembling and astonished, he inquired, * It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. Let the wicked forsake his way, And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him; And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon (Isaiah 55:6-7; cf. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time (2 Timothy 1:9). He knew that going to see Saul would put his life in danger. `}Hq)l2hZ0r89asO70Da`qg WebAnd Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, The baptism of Saul was his testimony to the change which had taken place. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 2 Corinthians 4:14; cf. (Philippians 1:4-9). 15:8; Gal. The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. What did Ananias do for Saul? Saul asked.I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. 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. called for him to be slapped. * [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). Pauls experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1Cor 15:8. The approach the Lord took was one of dealing with Saul in the light of his sin, of his salvation, and of his ministry. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Saul, like Israel, had been blinded as to the meaning of the law because of his rejection of Christ (cf. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? They were based, as I understand it, on what the Lord had revealed to Ananias and not on any confession or actions of Saul, for these seem to follow these initial actions and words of Ananias. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 35And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 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. 9:31). Encourage and rebuke with all authority. What is the safe score in JEE Mains 2021? 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. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. 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). Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:6-12). With this backdrop in place, the preacher can now focus on two movements of Ananias part of this story: his vision and conversation with the Lord (verses 10-16) and his laying hands on Saul leading to Sauls baptism (verses 17-19). 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 The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 116-117. He is trying to inform God of whats going on. Unless otherwise noted, all material copyright 2023, Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. 1:2; 2 Tim. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all (Romans 11:25-32). The pastor advised him to pray for the person every day for two weeks pray for the person not about the person. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. a. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. 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. He got up and was baptized, Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. Saul, like Stephen, spoke with such power and authority that his opponents could not refute him. Those who would speak up for them are blind; they are ignorant, to their own shame. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. Not everyone can be Paul, but we all can and should be Ananias. No one could fault the reluctance of Ananias. God changed him from being a man who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and a persecutor of the Christians into a bold missionary who preached the Gospel wherever he went. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. He sent me so that you can 1:11, Acts 20:23; 2 Cor. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). 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). 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. Ananias and Saul. Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. All of these should be expected and can be rather easily explained. 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. 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. We know that the salvation of men rests ultimately with God and not with usand not even with the one whom we wish to see saved. We may not be able to identify the precise moment or the exact events which brought it about, but salvation does not happen in some kind of group way. There may well have been a long time between Sauls conversion and his arrival at Jerusalem. 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. Because I have sinned against him, I will bear the Lords wrath, until he pleads my case and establishes my right. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 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. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). Were they some of those converted to Christ through his preaching? Why do you think the street was named "Straight" 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. 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). 20and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. 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. Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in
Samantha Armytage Wedding Pictures,
Aau Basketball Essex County Nj,
Newcastle Civil Court Listings,
Tasmania Police Incident,
Articles W