why was ananias afraid of helping saul

For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Sauls conversion is a watershed event, catapulting the gospel to the Gentiles and to more distant places. It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. . to go lay hands on Saul (soon to be known as Paul) and restore his How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). 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. 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). ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v No, God showed him "how many things he must suffer for Let us be careful to discern what changes the gospel requires and what changes it does not. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:6-12). What is the safe score in JEE Mains 2021? 1 What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets. * [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, your saints.. Lead out those who have eyes but are blind, who have ears but are deaf. And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Rather, he sought the arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment (with imprisonment the norm and death the ideal, it would seem) of those in Jerusalem. Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. called for him to be slapped. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory (Isaiah 60:19). They do not understand the gospel well enough. 1* Now Saul, still breathing murderous threats against the disciples of the Lord,a went to the high priestb No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the One who spoke to him was Jesus of Nazareth, the long-looked-for Messiah, the Consolation and Redeemer of Israel. the light and blind passages above). In His coming as the light, those who come to the light become lights to the world themselves: The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Isaiah 9:2). 3 He said: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. Romans 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. The first is this: every saved person must have a personal conversion experience. Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. part of the price for themselves while donating it to the church 131 . 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:12-16). When the plot became known to Saul, he made a successful, albeit undignified, escape from the city of Damascus. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, here am I, Lord. 11 And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy name.145 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My names sake.. Second, the only result of this event shown in the Bible is that Saul received his sight. The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. 132 The impact of Sauls conversion on his message and his ministry is testified to by A. T. Robertson: Luke evidently attached great importance to the story of Sauls conversion as the turning point not simply in the career of the man, but an epoch in the history of apostolic Christianity. Both are call stories. 1. 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 (5) There is a good deal of emphasis on the results of Sauls conversion. And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. Paul would later use this expression (in the plural) to address his unbelieving Jewish opponents, as in Acts 22:1. Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. Also, As I look at the problem, I believe several conclusions must be drawn. 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. 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. 37Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid [her] out in a room upstairs. Ananias the high priest brought charges against Paul and The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. Sauls Conversion. Ananiass vision was intended to direct him to the house of Judas and to Saul. He was to come to the earth as the great light, the light to the Gentiles, and so He did. What is the meaning of Sapphira in the Bible? sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness (Micah 7:8-9). 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. The only question is who is the LORD? Your merchants were the worlds great men. And laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. The "Straight Street" or Via Recta in Latin, was a straight 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight., 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (C)how much [a]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 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. 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. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! Upon hearing Peters words, Ananias fell to the ground and died. The call to salvation is also the call to a life of holiness and obedience. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. 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. . Only a radical conversion can produce this attitude in the life of a man like Saul: For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:8). He goes for broke. To both Ananias (Acts 9:10) and Saul (Acts 9:12). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. In the Bible, Reuben and Saul were of no relation to each other. 5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. In 2 Corinthians 11:32 Paul speaks of an ethnarch of Aretas, the king of the Nabataean Arabs, who guarded the city to prevent him escaping from it. There are differences between the three accounts given to us in Acts. Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. It was only with the exit of Saul from the Holy Land, back to his native land (Tarsus), that peace once again returned. Could Judas have been a Christian? He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. The Old Testament passages which I have suggested bear to Saul (blind, light) are passages which speak of Israel in their original context. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 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. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. The couple wanted to appear as outstanding church members, but they didnt want to part with their possessions. Then, on the road to Damascus, he was blinded by a vision of Jesus. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. 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. Thus, his opposition to Christ and His church took on a missionary spirit. It is also bad news for the self-righteous. Introduction: suppose you heard someone was coming to arrest you, or even worse. He was, indeed, Stephens replacement. 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. Ananias (/nnas/ AN--NY-s; Ancient Greek: from Hebrew , Hananiah, favoured of the LORD) was a disciple of Jesus at Damascus mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, which describes how he was sent by Jesus to restore the sight of Saul of Tarsus (who later was called Paul the Apostle) and . 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. 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. 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 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. Why was Saul (later called Paul) going to Damascus? 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. 130 In our text, we are told the Saul went to the high priest to ask for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus (9:1-2), but in Acts 22:5-6 Paul indicates that the Council (the Sanhedrin) was also involved in providing him with letters of authorization to arrest Christians in Damascus. Israel too will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn. 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? "how many things he must suffer for It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. 135 There are those who describe Saul as a tormented man after the stoning of Stephen. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. (what was bad was that they lied about the amount). This three-fold repetition is a clear indication of the importance of this event, especially in the themes Luke is seeking to develop in the Book of Acts. Jesus repeated his command, explaining that Saul was his chosen instrument to deliver the gospel to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. 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. 5:3-4). Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? 28, p. 185. 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. Rueban founded the Tribe of Reuban and Saul was King. Over and over in his epistles, Paul spoke of salvation in terms of radical change. of him. They, too, were afraid of Saul and did not believe he really was a follower of Jesus Christ. Ananias came to Saul with grace to liberate him from his wrong-headed beliefs and open his heart to Jesus. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. 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. What Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. 1:15). A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. Some of the Hellenistic Jews responded to the preaching of Saul as they had to Stephens preaching; they wanted to kill him (9:29). 1:4). F. F. Bruce, p. 190. 1:29, 30, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. 1:16f. 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. OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 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). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. (12) The same Saul who played a role in Stephens execution was to become, in large measure, his replacement. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? Why do you think the street was named "Straight" Proving (sunbibazon). As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (Isaiah 42:7). Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Perhaps nowhere else is the radical change (of conversion) in Pauls life153 more readily evident than in his attitude toward the saints. 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. 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). Ancestry, Pharisaic training, Hellenistic education, were fused by it into the character which the Holy Spirit formed and fashioned over the fourteen years of training. 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,* he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 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. (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon you, and you will be blind and not see the sun for a time. And immediately a mist and a darkness fell upon him, and he went about seeking those who would lead him by the hand. We know that Paul was not instantly a biblical scholar or a seasoned apostle. They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. 16 He saw that there was no one, he was appalled that there was no one to intervene; so his own arm worked salvation for him, and his own righteousness sustained him. Saul could only be persecuting Jesus through the members of His body, the church. (N)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. It almost seems harder to convince Ananias that Saul is (or will be) a Christian than it is to convert Saul. . Saul seems to have been the instigator of the persecution of the church, which began at the death of Stephen in Jerusalem and worked outward from there. 2 Watch out for those dogs, those men who do evil, those mutilators of the flesh. l. [9:14] 9:12; 26:10; 1Cor 1:2; 2Tm 2:22. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. Sauls vision prepared him for the arrival of Ananias, clearly indicating that he was the one God had appointed to reveal His will for him. 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. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. Web'And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2. 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. 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. By divine revelation, Peter called out Ananias for lying to the Holy Spirit and to God. Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. 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). But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is difficult. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 139 A. T. Robertson writes, It is open to question if kurie should not here be translated Sir as in 16:30 and in Matt. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. He constantly defended the gospel against those who would diminish grace and seek to pollute it with works. Then you hear the Lord telling you to minister to that person. 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). It is here that Paul took the leadership and became the dominant or leading individual, instead of Barnabas. In spite of the clear and present danger, Ananias went and began to look for the Christian hunter Saul. Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation: The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations (Isaiah 51:4). [ a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Second, the gospel should be proclaimed in a way that is personal. 43* r And he stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 15:21). The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). (3) Sauls salvation was personal. 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. But these laws, which seek to summarize the gospel in a concise way, should always be applied individually. At least we can say that no one had enough faith to believe it, even as Peter stood at the door, knocking to get in (12:12-17). With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. 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. Did they think their task would be a simple one? Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). Leave them; they are blind guides. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers. (Acts 9:11)? Who told Saul to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street? I am not at all sure how this can be determined from the text. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. what occupation he was (possibly a businessman). It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. This happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of Saul. It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. He is there praying,j The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCBs) mission is to encounter the mercy of Christ and to accompany His people with joy. WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. 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. For now, he was told to proceed on to Damascus, where he would be given his next instructions.144 His blindness certainly gave Saul the opportunity to dwell on these events. 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him (Daniel 2:22). And look, you blind, that you may see. (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. 136 E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. i3&K>Kpg Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. They could not prove him wrong from the Scriptures. 00:00. This old city is the most enduring in the history of the world (Knowling). Saul, like Stephen, spoke with such power and authority that his opponents could not refute him. The call of salvation is a call to change. After he put his hands on Saul, the Bible only records that Saul received his sight. Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors. 1:16; cf. 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. And Jesus took the persecution of Christians very personally. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all (Romans 11:25-32). It was Gods initiative all the way. 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.'" The church did not shrink or suffer for Sauls arrival, but it grew because of it. 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. Presumably this is the case, however I still wonder a bit about this. (2) While there is considerable emphasis on the conversion of Saul, there is very little detail given as to the precise time or the details of Sauls conversion. 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. 3. This expression, calling on the name of the Lord seems to be one used consistently in the Old Testament. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. 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. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. Think about what happened as a result of this man overcoming his fear and obeying God. 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). Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27). WebAnanias went. WebAnanias placed his hands upon Saul who received the Holy Spirit and the restoration of his sight. Now that the Lord had identified Himself as Jesus, Saul recognized that he was the sinner. But as I see the call of God referred to in the New Testament, it seems that the call of salvation assumes other callings, to which Paul and other New Testament writers made frequent reference: Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God (Romans 1:1).

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