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

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. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 60:3). Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus. We honor him on May 14. 141 Compare this voice with that in John 12:29. They are also very significant in what they conveyed to Saul. 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. It is evident in the way he was saved. 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. Leave them; they are blind guides. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. A man once confessed to his pastor that even though he didnt think of himself as hating people, there was one person he really hated for the way the person had wronged him. He became a priest himself in 1823. 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. And yet, even in opposing God, he furthered Gods purposes; he was instrumental in the evangelization of the Gentiles (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21). The same grace which was shown to Saul in his salvation is shown to all whom God calls to Himself: 8 So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord, or ashamed of me his prisoner. And look, you blind, that you may see. The conversion of Saul is important in another way. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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. Second, the only result of this event shown in the Bible is that Saul received his sight. It is not a transition, but a transformation. 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. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. A light for revelation to the Gentiles and for glory to your people Israel (Luke 2:32). WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. i3&K>Kpg With the conversion of Saul, persecution of the church did not stop, for now some of the Hellenistic Jews were opposing his preaching (and no doubt, the church at large as well). * [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. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. (14) There is an interesting symmetry or parallel between the conversion of Saul and the conversion of Cornelius. What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. I am not at all sure how this can be determined from the text. When he was still very young, Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy. 30And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.p. Impatient men forget that God is not bound by time. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? No change in life is greater than the change from unbelief to belief in Christ, from being lost and condemned to being saved and eternally secure, from being separated from God and others to being united with Him and with all believers. Presumably this is the case, however I still wonder a bit about this. The Lord The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. Upon hearing Peters words, Ananias fell to the ground and died. As he himself understood the heavenly voice which said to him at his baptism, You are my Son (Mark 1:11 par. 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). 25but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. 17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, and the helmet of salvation on his head; he put on the garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in zeal as in a cloak. He who had wanted to kill these saints now wanted to fellowship with them. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, 10 but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. 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! came under Alexander the Great's rule. . If the worst sinner (Saul) was not too sinful to save, then you are not too sinful for God to save. what occupation he was (possibly a businessman). If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14; cf. The second evidence of Sauls conversion was in his bold proclamation of his newly found faith in Jesus as the Messiah. 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. Enough revelation for the moment. How humorous it seems to hear Ananias informing the Lord that Saul was an enemy, one who had caused many Christians great suffering and adversity, as though He was unaware of this! 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. 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.g Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. And so, Saul asked the LORD who He was. Saul recognized that he was a sinner, and that his righteousness was but dung before God. Web3. Have you had such an encounter? Hypocrisy is the most dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church. So it would appear. 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. For Paul, the method of proclaiming the gospel must be consistent with the message itself, and so it was. Sauls Baptism. 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). . While at first he thought he might have to correct God, in the end he submitted himself and his very life to Gods call. 142 His companions therefore took him by the hand and led him through the gate of Damascus to the place where, presumably, arrangements had been made for him to stay. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 185. Saul proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God (9:20), a designation understood to refer to Israels awaited Messiah.149. It is not clear whether this official was a representative of the king resident in Damascus to look after the interests of the Arabs there, or whether Damascus at this time was under the control of Nabataea. I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 168. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). Ananias and Saul in Damascus. He constantly defended the gospel against those who would diminish grace and seek to pollute it with works. Why did Saint Paul change his (6) Sauls salvation was a conversion, a radical change. WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. Saul asked.I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? WebSauls Baptism. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow-citizens with the saints, and are of Gods household, having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit (Ephesians 2:19-22). (3) Sauls conversion experience was quick and dramatic in one sense, but it also involved a process, a process of at least three days.135. Now Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2 and asked for letters from him to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way,137 both men and women,138 he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? One thing was certain; no matter how much time had passed, the apostles were not yet convinced of Sauls conversion. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world (John 1:4-5, 7-9). Saul Preaches in Damascus. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. The Lord seeks and saves individuals, and thus our methods should be personal. Saul is welcomed into the church. 4. 11 The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsusp named Saul, for he is praying. 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord (1 Corinthians 15:8-11). If there is one thing of which Saul is now convinced (by what he has so far seen and heard on the road) it is that whoever he is talking to is LORD. (2) Sauls salvation was exclusively the work of a sovereign God. And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he And because Saul is welcomed into the church, he is sent out by the church. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. 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. Those who think themselves worthy of Gods blessings (as many Jews did in that day) are those who are in trouble. (Acts 9:11)? Let us not fail to respect the individuality of the conversion experience and to deal with people in the light of their individuality. After the suffering of his soul, he will see the light of life and be satisfied; by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities (Isaiah 53:11). By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. Theologically, we know this as the doctrine of mans total depravity.151 Paul surely believed that it was essential for men to begin with the understanding of their own sin, for in his Epistle to the Romans, he took the first two and one-half chapters to prove that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). Saul, like Stephen, had a ministry which focused on the Hellenistic Jews. The message which Saul received was not only a call to salvation, but a divine call to ministry. In Damascus, the Lord had spoken to a man named Ananias, and the Lord told Ananias to find Saul and to lay his hands on Saul and pray so that Sauls sight would be restored. All of these should be expected and can be rather easily explained. Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Damascus was an important town, about 150 miles (242 km) from Jerusalem, with a considerable Jewish population. It is some 150 miles Northeast from Jerusalem and watered by the river Abana from Anti-Lebanon. 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. He hears the voice of the Lord crying out to him. 1. Shape us into children who rejoice in knowing and proclaiming you to the world. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). Thank God that is what happened. What did Ananias do for Saul? He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. This is why Jesus was so receptive of sinners and so hard on the self-righteous. 1:11, Acts 20:23; 2 Cor. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. CE!L;oza!sQjaTsg 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. Romans 6). No sinner is beyond the grace and the grasp of God. Charles Spurgeon once wrote: Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Spirit upon the renewed heart. God was sealing Saul to Himself. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. That is all we know about Ananias - the small but essential part he played at the start of Paul's pilgrimage of faith. Here is a graphic illustration of what true repentance isit is a turning about, beginning with ones belief and bearing fruit in ones conduct. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. 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 pastor advised him to pray for the person every day for two weeks pray for the person not about the person. Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? The obedience and faith that Ananias demonstrated in going to Saul and helping to restore his sight were incredible, to say the least. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. When the Christians learned that the Hellenists to whom Saul had preached were plotting to kill them, they helped him escape through Caesarea and on to Tarsus. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light (1 Peter 2:9). He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, 20 The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the Lord. The light from heaven brought Saul to the ground. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? The blindness to which Saul was subject for three days provided him with much time for reflection, meditation, and prayer. But Elymas the magician (for thus his name is translated) was opposing them, seeking to turn the proconsul away from the faith. Or could it be that these disciples of Saul were Sauls disciples before his conversion, who accompanied him as he sought to capture Christians. 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. 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. This first account occurs when the word is first spread to the Gentiles. Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was Up till now, Jesus was the sinner, and Saul was the saint. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. Damascus, a city some 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, was one such city. Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. 1:16; cf. 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. We know that Paul was not instantly a biblical scholar or a seasoned apostle. The two messages cannot be reconciled. Do not be afraid, though briers and thorns are all around you and you live among scorpions. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? I can believe someone might have prayed that Saul be waylaid, or terminated, in some divine act or providential accident (act of God). It was due to the intervention of Barnabas, a man who would prove to be a lifetime friend of Paul, that the apostles risked a meeting with him and then granted him the freedom to associate with the saints in Jerusalem. Nothing is more evident in the account of Sauls conversion than his radical reversal. 1:19; Rom. The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is difficult. 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). But beyond this, his conversion totally changed the remainder of his life. by the sin of Adam. WebAnanias placed his hands upon Saul who received the Holy Spirit and the restoration of his sight. Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). But hidden in its shadows is another inspiring story, and one to which most people in the pew may more easily relate. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight..