why was ananias afraid of helping saul

Q&A 1. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". Matt. 1:2; 2 Tim. 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. 131 . Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. "how many things he must suffer for 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?d 20and he began at once to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Fourth, if we had all the facts, there would be no problem. 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 was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. Elsewhere in Acts, such as with the apostles, Stephen and Philip, the message of the gospel was underscored by signs and wonders which accompanied the message. Finally, we shall attempt to focus on the application of this passage to our own lives. In peace, as in persecution, the church was comforted and continued to increase. What can you say about Christianity when its most outspoken and zealous opponent suddenly claims to have seen the risen Christ, and to have trusted in Him as the Messiah? Leave them; they are blind guides. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira was the first recorded sin in the newly organized church. The light was the light of His glory. Saul, as it were, saw the light, but in addition, he was to become a light, a light to the Gentiles, as well as to his own people. He sent me so that you can It is not clear what occupation he was (possibly a businessman). l. [9:14] 9:12; 26:10; 1Cor 1:2; 2Tm 2:22. He is there praying,j The conclusion of many of the commentators is that Sauls conversion was a much longer process than I see reflected in this account, or in any other. Thus, his opposition to Christ and His church took on a missionary spirit. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. 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. Preachers working through the narrative lectionary with their congregations, then, will do well to explore this passage in detail in order to establish the character of Paul well for the second half of Acts (Acts 13-28; see how this role is foreshadowed in 9:15), which shifts the focus from the ministry of the Twelve in Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria to his role in taking the gospel throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and even to Rome (see Acts 1:8). 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. While Paul may not have brought about the execution of all those whom he arrested, including women as well as men (verse 2), verse 1 strongly suggests that this was his desire and ambition. 1:11--2:10; Ephesians 3:1-13; cf. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebThe Conversion of Saul. How old was Jesus when he was crucified? 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). This man who had formerly cringed at the preaching of the gospel148 was now proclaiming the same message. Sauls baptism followed, accompanied by his profession of faith, his calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). Web17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, He is the Son of God. 21 And all those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests? 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding147 the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. 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. Indeed, this seems to be the rule. 39So Peter got up and went with them. 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! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. Paul recognized that his ministry was that of bringing the light to those who were lost, including the Gentiles, kings, and his fellow-Israelites: For this is what the Lord has commanded us: I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth (Acts 13:47). 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. Under the influence of this experience he gradually developed his understanding of justification by faith (see the letters to the Galatians and Romans) and of the identification of the Christian community with Jesus Christ (see 1Cor 12:27). Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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). 17 And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. See Appendix B for information on Sauls Theology in the Book of Romans. If the unity of Christ and His body, the church, were a vital truth with respect to Sauls persecution of the church, it was also a vital truth for him as a Christian. Sauls conversion was a miracle, short and simple, but not so much the result of the external miracle of the bright light and the voice of the Lord as the internal transformation and illumination which God wrought: 15 But when God, who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not consult any man (Galatians 1:15-16). 28, p. 185. * [9:29] Hellenists: see note on Acts 6:17. Sauls Conversion. Let us be careful to discern what changes the gospel requires and what changes it does not. Did he still not realize who the Lord was? 12 It teaches us to say No to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hopethe glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. I believe that as Luke portrays Saul in Acts, it is as a prototype, a picture of Israel. The LORD identified Himself as the Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! Who has saved us and called us to a holy lifenot because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. (1 Corinthians 9:1). The account of Ananias and Saul is found in Acts chapter Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? 3 Now as he was going along and approaching Damascus, Saul is welcomed into the church. Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. The words and actions of Ananias are an evidence of his faith and obedience to the divine commission he was given, as outlined by Luke in the verses above. After this incident with Paul we hear no more Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 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). (3) The racial expansion from the Jews to the Gentiles. 9 What happened to Sapphira in the Bible? 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. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w 2 Corinthians 4:14; cf. The voice from heaven did not call out, Have you ever heard of the four spiritual laws?152 Ananias was sent to Saul only. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit (Matthew 15:14; cf. 6 For God, who said, Let light shine out of darkness, made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ (2 Corinthians 4:4, 6). What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? Not only does the narrator tell the story of Sauls transformation from persecutor to apostle in Acts 9, Saul himself re-tells the story twice when defending himself before persecutors (before the tribune in Jerusalem, Acts 22:1-21; and before Agrippa, Acts 26:1-23). For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). 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. 6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Saul Visits Jerusalem. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. 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. The answer is: Jesus. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. Thus, he did not use the method of many others, which was man-centered, not Christ-centered: For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, that the cross of Christ should not be made void. 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. Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets. We are simply told that the message itself was proclaimed powerfully and that people were amazed at the message and its miraculous impact on Sauls own conduct. Saul sought them out to persecute, even kill them, as an unbeliever; but he sought them out to worship and fellowship with them as a Christian. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness (Micah 7:8-9). (Acts 9:11)? 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. It almost seems harder to convince Ananias that Saul is (or will be) a Christian than it is to convert Saul. 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. To Him be the glory forever. ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. 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. vii.) 13But Ananias replied, Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones* in Jerusalem.k 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 second evidence of Sauls conversion was in his bold proclamation of his newly found faith in Jesus as the Messiah. Grace is also the source and the standard for our service: Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person (Colossians 4:6). (14) There is an interesting symmetry or parallel between the conversion of Saul and the conversion of Cornelius. Saul, like Stephen, spoke with such power and authority that his opponents could not refute him. 18 According to what they have done, so will he repay wrath to his enemies and retribution to his foes; he will repay the islands their due. The baptism of Saul was his testimony to the change which had taken place. Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". When the man asked why he should do this, the pastor said, I dont believe anyone can continue hating someone when they have consistently prayed for that person to be blessed by God. Who is blind but my servant {Israel}, and deaf like the messenger I send? They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. WebA study of the language describing what resulted from Ananias going to Saul should help in determining the part played by Ananias in Saul's being "filled with the Holy Spirit." Hypocrisy is the most dangerous spiritual virus to infect the church. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality the Messiah (ho Christos). For less than $5/mo. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? He amazed everyone because they knew he was speaking the same words as the people he had been persecuting. One thing was certain; no matter how much time had passed, the apostles were not yet convinced of Sauls conversion. Sauls salvation was focused on one thing and on one thing aloneChrist. 134 Blaiklock comes to this conclusion concerning the time of Sauls conversion: Probably the earliest acceptable date for the conversion on the Damascus road is AD 33. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus followers What did Ananias's do to heal Paul's eyes? He started NOW to trust God. 17) and the restoration of the man after the shattering experience he had known, and for the early ministry in Tarsus, Syria, Cilicia, and Antioch, which prepared mind and method for the major assault on the pagan world. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. No, Ananias did not do any of these things so far as the author of Luke-Acts is concerned. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. What Ananias didnt know is that Saul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. Ananias had not only heard of how Saul had been systematically destroying the church in Jerusalem, hunting down men and women and turning them over to the Continue Learning about Religious Studies. * [9:36] Tabitha (Dorcas), respectively the Aramaic and Greek words for gazelle, exemplifies the right attitude toward material possessions expressed by Jesus in the Lucan Gospel (Lk 6:30; 11:41; 12:33; 18:22; 19:8). How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? Preachers can narrate verses 10-14, and then basically say, You see, Ananias didnt know what had just happened. Why was Saul (later called Paul) going to Damascus? 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). WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). 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. required neighboring states to grant it the privileges of a sovereign state, including the right of extradition. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. Hd7/`l@TM0h#`C2 +u-AsQ3j++&?Fu7_[1_?a^J> 10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus (A)named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Ananias., 11So the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul (B)of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 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. sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W Saul did not agree with his teacher, Gamaliel, on how the Christians should be dealt with, however. Ananias was used as Gods instrument in the conversion of Saul, but even he had to be pushed to go to Saul. Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! 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 Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. 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. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? 34Peter said to him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. Nevertheless, at some point in time Saul did arrive in Jerusalem. 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. Yes, Lord, he answered. Then the proconsul believed when he saw what had happened, being amazed at the teaching of the Lord (Acts 13:6-12). Why were Ananias and Sapphira killed on the spot? It was time for Saul to ponder what he had seen and heard. The words of Jesus, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me? related by Luke with no variation in all three accounts, exerted a profound and lasting influence on the thought of Paul. The church in Damascus has been talking about Saul and its members rightfully afraid of him he has, after all, been dragging Christians out of house after house, throwing them into prison, and desiring their deaths. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. WebActs 9:1. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 1:16f. 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. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.. 145 We may note incidentally the two new descriptions of the Christians used here. 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. This is very evident in the conversion of Saul. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. 25but his disciples took him one night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket. Ananiass vision was intended to direct him to the house of Judas and to Saul. 3 And it came about that as he journeyed, he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; 4 and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? 5 And he said, Who art Thou, Lord?139 And He said, I am Jesus whom you are persecuting, 6 but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do. 7 And the men who traveled with him140 stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one.141 8 And Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; and leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus.142 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. Web3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Your merchants were the worlds great men. WebExplain why Ananias was told that Saul was a 'Chosen Vessel' Give an account of the vision which Saul had while traveling on the road to the Damascus. (what was bad was that they lied about the amount). Ananias is not only surprised by his commission; he is resistant to it, at least initially. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches. In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. * She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. 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. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him 11:2328; 12:710; Gal. Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? When Paul spoke of his conversion here in Galatians 1, he did not speak of the light which shone without, but rather of the light which shone within. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. Up till now, Jesus was the sinner, and Saul was the saint. Barnabas stood up for Saul and explained everything to the Jerusalem Christians. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. 129 The history of Damascus goes back to remote antiquity. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. Do not be afraid of what they say or terrified by them, though they are a rebellious house. 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. If he were viewed as a reactionary, a trouble-maker, perhaps there were some unbelievers who thought Saul was too much trouble. 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. 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). Could Judas have been a Christian? 60:1 Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. More than that, he had a deep dislike and hostility toward Christians before his conversion. And Jesus took the persecution of Christians very personally. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? They are so defiled with blood that no one dares to touch their garments (Lamentations 4:14). They do not understand the gospel well enough. Without Ananias prayer, Saul spends the rest of his life as a blind man wondering what his life might have been. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move How much does horse riding lessons cost in Bangalore? After he put his hands on Saul, the Bible only records that Saul received his sight. That Luke would narrate this conversion three times is testimony to the importance he attaches to it. It is no wonder that a fair amount of the text is devoted to a description of Sauls attempt to associate with the local church, first at Damascus, and then in Jerusalem. 20 The Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins, declares the Lord. Few Christians will encounter the risen, glorified Lord as Saul did here. Web3. 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. The message which Saul received was not only a call to salvation, but a divine call to ministry. Jesus was alive and not still in the grave! The church did not shrink or suffer for Sauls arrival, but it grew because of it. 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. I, the Lord, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. 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.

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