You, my brothers, were called to be free. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? Though I have fallen, I will rise. 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). Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it. I can believe the saints who gathered to pray would have prayed for the protection of the church in Damascus and for the safety of individual saints, especially the leaders and the most visible Christians. 21All who heard him were astounded and said, Is not this the man who in Jerusalem ravaged those who call upon this name, and came here expressly to take them back in chains to the chief priests? When Ananias Saul did not agree with his teacher, Gamaliel, on how the Christians should be dealt with, however. With the help of a priest who knew his parents he was allowed to attend religious school. Nevertheless, there must have been those who intended to use Sauls coming to oppose the church. 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. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. also Romans 1:1-7, 13-17; 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:3-11; cf. Hb```f``:Ab,=`.9Z3{x5v\);]c#qea #'&D|z:wyKN,0(t\tbRFhT2thS2(9.`mNbq)-pk^;>:+pq2Ck AUbK=N\2M/`KqGLZS1 $[S|Rd\.9i'9T\.EXdxlYcqb 7 You must speak my words to them, whether they listen or fail to listen, for they are rebellious (Ezekiel 1:4, 26-28; 2:1-7).143. Could Judas have been a Christian? 136 E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. Finally, we shall attempt to focus on the application of this passage to our own lives. Saul was the bad guy. The details of what was said and done when Ananias arrived are fuzzy. 1. WebSaul/Paul was a pretty mean guy who persecuted Christians. * sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W . Saul was not aware, until after our Lords words, that the One who had interrupted his journey was Jesus, and that Jesus was, indeed, the Messiah, the LORD, but he was certain, at this point, that whoever this One was, He was the LORD. He constantly defended the gospel against those who would diminish grace and seek to pollute it with works. 147 The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. He went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram. If Ananias and Sapphira were born again believers and God judged them for their sin, it means that even though Jesus was judged for sin, God still judged them for their sin. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. For the remainder of this essay, I will pursue the second option. vii.) Devotion Saul WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Those who call upon your name echoes 2:21 (Joel 2:32) and recurs in 22:16 in a command to Paul himself to be baptized . The Old Testament passages which I have suggested bear to Saul (blind, light) are passages which speak of Israel in their original context. 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. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 113. NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). * [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. Do not let anyone despise you (Titus 2:11-15). Let us avoid cookie cutter conversions.. 1:11, Acts 20:23; 2 Cor. Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. Rueban founded the Tribe of Reuban and Saul was King. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda. Did Peter and Paul meet? 26:63; Luke 22:67, 70). How was Saul converted to Christianity? Ananias 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. 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). 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. His career as a persecutor of Christians seems to have begun with Stephen, but it quickly spread to all of the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 7:588:3). Amen (Romans 11:33-36). As applied to our Lord, then, the title `Son of God marks him out as the true representative of the Israel of God and as Gods anointed king; but it is no merely official title. But Saul, who was also known as Paul, filled with the Holy Spirit, fixed his gaze upon him, and said, You who are full of all deceit and fraud, you son of the devil, you enemy of all righteousness, will you not cease to make crooked the straight ways of the Lord? WebActs 9:1. 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. 40Peter sent them all out and knelt down and prayed. 1:29, 30, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. the Romans . 35And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. Lesson: Conversion Saul and Ananias Prayer What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? 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). The LORD identified Himself as the Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:4-11). Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 5 How did God use Ananias in the New Testament? Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? 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). The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it . He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. Jesus dealt with Nicodemus (John 3) very differently from the Samaritan woman (John 4). Paul was no ordinary followerhe became the most visible and active pillar of the new Christian church. His parents allowed visiting priests to minister secretly in their home during the dangers of the French Revolution. 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, Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? WebYou know someone is coming, perhaps to arrest you for being a Christian. 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. As I look at the problem, I believe several conclusions must be drawn. Shape us into children who rejoice in knowing and proclaiming you to the world. Salvation is a revolution, not an evolution. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. For less than $5/mo. To the church, Saul turned out to be a friend, a fellow-believer, in fact, a flaming evangelist, who proclaimed Christ more clearly and powerfully than anyone had previously done in Damascus. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. It does not store any personal data. 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 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. 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 second evidence of Sauls conversion was in his bold proclamation of his newly found faith in Jesus as the Messiah. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so that he may regain his sight (Acts 9:10-12). Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. . ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. 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. 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. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1). He has sovereignly chosen to use people to lead people to salvation, Spirit baptism, deliverance, and healing. 1 What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Acts 9:19-23 Saul in Damascus. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. Saul, like Israel, had been blinded as to the meaning of the law because of his rejection of Christ (cf. 146 It is possible, however, to understand the expression, Brother, as referring to Saul only as a fellow Jew. required neighboring states to grant it the privileges of a sovereign state, including the right of extradition. They do not understand the gospel well enough. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. of him. (4) Sauls salvation was miraculous. For the word of the cross is to those who are perishing foolishness, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:17-18; cf. Choose from news (Monday), leisure (Thursday) or worship (Saturday) or get all three! Ananias baptizes Saul, and Saul's eyes are opened. 133 I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 173. Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul. 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! Could it be that God had also appointed someone to meet Saul as he entered the city, with specific instructions as to where he was to stay? The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of Saul. Sauls Baptism. Perhaps so, but I am not as confident of this as I once was. He started to KNOW GRACE! WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. I very much doubt anyone prayed that this Saul might be saved. Saul (N)Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. i3&K>Kpg The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter 10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that 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. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. When we look at Pauls great love and compassion for the saints, we have to remind ourselves of the hate he once had toward them. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. in 1971. 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. 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. And they were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 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 Acts 9 Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible Barnabas stood up for Saul and explained everything to the Jerusalem Christians. 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). 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. Christianity was described as putting off the old and putting on the new (Colossians 3). Suppose you were a Christian who had just arrived in Damascus, and you had been able to learn the whereabouts of a group of believers. WebAnanias was afraid of Saul. Here the Jews were strong in numbers (10,000 butchered by Nero later) and here some disciples had found refuge from Sauls persecution in Judea and still worshipped in the synagogues. For He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Charles Spurgeon once wrote: Prayer is the autograph of the Holy Spirit upon the renewed heart. God was sealing Saul to Himself. For you are our glory and joy (1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
Mobile Homes For Rent In Carencro, La,
Missouri Breaks Mule Deer Outfitters,
Articles W