Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! Christianity was described as putting off the old and putting on the new (Colossians 3). 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. 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 1:15; Eph. 2 Cor. The blinding of Bar-Jesus thus seems to be the second major turning point in the ministry of Paul. God chose Saul and had his destiny planned, before He saved him. of him. WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. Ananias fulfills his task: 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 Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life (John 8:12). Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? Amen. 15:8; Gal. Why do you think the street was named "Straight" Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. 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. 21:29 (30); John 5:7; 12:21; 20:15; and should be so in John 9:36. It was bright enough to bring about a period of blindness. Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish in order that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to his death (Philippians 3:7-10). The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. Just as Saul had opposed those who believed, so Bar-Jesus opposed the proconsuls conversion. 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. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was 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. 24n but their plot became known to Saul. 3. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. Their attempt to deceive the apostles was an attempt to deceive God putting the Spirit of the Lord to the test (v. 9) and they paid the price! . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. WebWhy was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? He spoke of salvation as dying to the old manner of living and as rising from the dead in order to live an entirely new life (Romans 6). We know from other accounts (22:6; 26:13) that it was high noon when Saul was stopped in his tracks by a bright light from heaven. 143 . In Hellenistic times it was completely replanned on the Hippodamian grid-system. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993. They could not out-argue him. At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. 16and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name. And look, you blind, that you may see. It is evident in the way he was saved. 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). This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Acts 17:3). In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 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. `}Hq)l2hZ0r89asO70Da`qg All of this account describes the two complementary divine visions which Ananias and Saul received. Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. He became a priest himself in 1823. Saul took this most seriously, not eating or drinking until after his confession of faith by means of his baptism. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? So it would appear. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). Ananias who was The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave Or did they somewhat dread his arrival, knowing how zealous he was in his opposition to the church. (You know, just in case God has forgotten something) There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? It was surely fear (reverence), among other things, which prompted this. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. 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. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see Teaching from the Scriptures, p. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 43* r And he stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. 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. Do not let anyone despise you (Titus 2:11-15). WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. The voice from heaven did not call out, Have you ever heard of the four spiritual laws?152 Ananias was sent to Saul only. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. And thus, in Gods time, Saul was dramatically converted, seeing the Christ whom he had been persecuting, risen from the dead and in His heavenly glory. . ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. When Ananias placed his hands on Saul he was filled with the Holy Spirit, healed of his blindness, received water baptism, and began to eat and regain his strength. Barnabas stood up for Saul and explained everything to the Jerusalem Christians. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. In spite of the clear and present danger, Ananias went and began to look for the Christian hunter Saul. We would readily grant that every conversion which is recorded is unique, to some degree. 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. He didnt know that the risen Christ had confronted Saul on the road to Damascus just as Christ is now confronting him This sets up a flashback to verses 1-9. So Ananias found Saul at Judas' house, praying for help. . (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. It was only with the exit of Saul from the Holy Land, back to his native land (Tarsus), that peace once again returned. . It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. He went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. 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. 1:2; 2 Tim. 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. The light from heaven brought Saul to the ground. The first words of the Lord Jesus to Saul were intended to teach him the inseparable unity between Christ and His church. 9 What happened to Sapphira in the Bible? Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? Why were Ananias and Sapphira killed on the spot? The first words spoken to Saul were, Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9:4). Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. But why would they be called his disciples? It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. WebThe Conversion of Saul. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him Up till now, Jesus was the sinner, and Saul was the saint. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light. That our Lords contemporaries believed the Messiah to be in some special sense the son of God is rendered probable by the wording of the high priests question to him at his trial: `Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One? (Mark 14:61 par. From 64 B.C. 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. After this, Saul broke his fast and was strengthened. His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27). Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. WebAnanias was afraid of Saul. 9:31). (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. 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. 23:16-17, 19, 24; 23:26). It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 123. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). We know that Paul was not instantly a biblical scholar or a seasoned apostle. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. But hidden in its shadows is another inspiring story, and one to which most people in the pew may more easily relate. 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. From the fact that three different accounts of Sauls conversion are recorded in Acts, we know this event had to play a crucial role in the expansion of the church. Was a man uncircumcised when he was called? 3On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.c 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). 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). For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? 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.
Monsoon Drink Recipe Port Of Call,
Express Waiters Salary,
Articles W