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. And, who knows, God may even answer those prayers and the persons life be blessed and changed in ways we cannot even imagine.. It strikes many readers as harsh, a return to Old Testament retribution. While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. Ananias and Saul: The Story Starts With a Disciple Throughout his life and ministry Paul marveled at the grace of God shown to him and to other sinners. 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. 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. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. Indeed, God would reveal His sovereignty by using Saul to further the gospel, first by his opposition (which scattered the church and spread the gospel), and then by his conversion (which resulted in his powerful proclamation of Jesus as Messiah). But beyond this, his conversion totally changed the remainder of his life. 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, What a shock these words must have been to Saul, who up to this point, seems to have prided himself for his faithfulness to Judaism! 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). WebThe Conversion of Saul. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 113. First, there are problems which appear to be serious. Why did Saint Paul change his 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. 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. 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). 1 What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. He did not say that God revealed his Son to him, but that He revealed His Son in him. Enough revelation for the moment. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. 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. 42This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord. 12 The land will mourn, each clan by itself, with their wives by themselves: the clan of the house of David and their wives, the clan of the house of Nathan and their wives, 13 the clan of the house of Levi and their wives, the clan of Shimei and their wives, 14 and all the rest of the clans and their wives. But why would they be called his disciples? 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. There is a great deal of information we are not given, and thus we cannot be dogmatic about our conclusions. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. Romans 6). And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). 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. What happened to Straight Street since then? 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. 26:63; Luke 22:67, 70). also Psalm 50:15; Joel 2:32; Jeremiah 29:12; 33:3-8). 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. And now, he is preaching the same message. Ananias baptizes Saul, and Saul's eyes are opened. Saul is welcomed into the church. WebAs Donald Davis notes, In case God has overlooked Sauls atrocities, [Ananias] takes occasion to issue a brief reminder. here - view only). And when the Galatians began to depart from the true gospel, Paul rebuked them for turning from Him: I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel (Galatians 6). . 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 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. Saul was not seeking God. Saul was saved in spite of himself. 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. Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. From the standpoint of the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but from the standpoint of Gods choice they are beloved for the sake of the fathers; for the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. This divine illumination is that miracle which God performs within a lost, blinded, dead soul, so as to bring about salvation: 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. This old city is the most enduring in the history of the world (Knowling). When one looks at all the references to this event, it was, in fact, a personal appearance of the risen, glorified Jesus to Saul (cf. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all (D)who call on Your name., 15But the Lord said to him, Go, for (E)he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before (F)Gentiles, (G)kings, and the (H)children[b] of Israel. Saul 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. Sauls conversion was also his call to ministry, and this conversion experience is strikingly similar to that of one of his predecessors, Ezekiel: 1:4 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the northan immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. 4. What did Ananias do for Saul? a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him Saul was also blinded, which identified him with the blindness of the nation Israel of which the Old Testament prophets wrote (see above). B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. By clicking Accept All, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. WebThats when Ananias heard a word from the Lord. They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. Saul Visits Jerusalem. 2. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The Book of Galatians is but one example of this. 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. The first words of the Lord Jesus to Saul were intended to teach him the inseparable unity between Christ and His church. The famous story of St. Pauls conversion from being an outrageous persecutor of the gospel of Christ to be an illustrious professor and preacher of it. After that Saul was welcomed by the Christians and he preached freely in and around Jerusalem. In Peters words, Ananias and Sapphira agreed together to test the Spirit of the Lord(v9), which appears to be a terrible sin in the eyes of God, so terrible that it even warranted having the couple killed on the spot, without even being given the chance to confess and repent. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20). Did they think their task would be a simple one? Even if he were not one of these men, he would surely have hated to hear the gospel. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). Like Stephen, the enemies of the gospel attempted to kill Saul when they could not silence him by means of debate. They could not out-argue him. 13:1 On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity (Zechariah 12:1013:1). WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. His acceptance by the latter was finally brought about through his friendship with Barnabas (Acts 9:27). . Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). He hears the voice of the Lord crying out to him. What are 3 long term physical effects of tobacco use? 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. 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. 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. The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of Saul. 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). If he were viewed as a reactionary, a trouble-maker, perhaps there were some unbelievers who thought Saul was too much trouble. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Like the blind we grope along the wall, feeling our way like men without eyes. 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. WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Julius Caesar confirmed those rights and privileges anew to the Jewish nation (although Judaea was no longer a sovereign state), and more particularly to the high-priesthood. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), pp. Saul could only be persecuting Jesus through the members of His body, the church. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. 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. Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). My names sake". He is trying to inform God of whats going on. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. Pauls hatred for Christ and His followers was common knowledge. 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). Maybe he died, but it also may be because most of the rest of Acts is fo- cused on more distant places. Not knowing what had happened, she, too, lied about the offering and was also struck dead (Acts 5:111). WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. 21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, says the Lord. The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. 3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve. If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: 5 circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; in regard to the law, a Pharisee; 6 as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. It was his preaching that resulted in the conversion of many Gentiles, and it was his writing (his epistles) to these saints which greatly strengthened them in their faith. 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).