Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? The first evidence of Sauls conversion was his immediate identification with the church in Damascus. They, not unlike Ananias, were very reluctant to have anything to do with this Christian killer. The answer to both questions is no. We dont know why Ananias is only mentioned once after Acts chapter nine. 00:00. Jesus repeated his command, explaining that Saul was his chosen instrument to deliver the gospel to the Gentiles, their kings, and the people of Israel. What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? Pauls method was consistent with his message. 24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to (1 Corinthians 7:15, 17-22, 24).154. When he was still very young, Michael was hired out as a shepherd boy. The answer is: Jesus. 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. get answers to your Bible questions from 50+ resources ($2,400+ value! Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Now that the Lord had identified Himself as Jesus, Saul recognized that he was the sinner. 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. The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. Even then he knew he wanted to live the life of a religious. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move Saul was not seeking God. Saul was saved in spite of himself. (4) Sauls salvation was miraculous. He knew what Saul had done to the church in Jerusalem. The blinding of Bar-Jesus thus seems to be the second major turning point in the ministry of Paul. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. This is very evident in the conversion of Saul. Saul was received as a true believer, as a brother.146 The laying on of Ananiass hands, however, was a distinct act of identification with Saul. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. 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. 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). Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God (1 Peter 4:10). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance". . 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 59:15b60:13). 143 . . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. * [9:13] Your holy ones: literally, your saints.. 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. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? What is the meaning of Sapphira in the Bible? Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. 19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. 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. Why do you think the street was named "Straight" 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. But there is a greater discrepancy between the accounts of Sauls conversion in Acts and that which Paul gave in Galatians 1. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.. We can overcome our fears if, like Ananias, we trust that Jesus is directing the preaching work, If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. 17 Nevertheless, each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. 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. 4. But why would they be called his disciples? What Israel failed to do, Jesus, the Messiah would do. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. We know that Paul was not instantly a biblical scholar or a seasoned apostle. (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. WebThe Conversion of Saul. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w 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). Saul, in my opinion, is portrayed by Luke as the first-fruits of these promises. The words which Ananias spoke to Saul indicate he was also to lay hands on him so that he would receive the Holy Spirit (9:17). After this incident with Paul we hear no more of him. 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. But Saul only became bolder in his preaching. 28He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord. Those things in which Saul would have formerly trusted for his standing before God, he saw in an entirely different light after God found him and saved him: 4b 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. One cannot help but wonder if it did not send chills up and down Pauls spine when he cast the spell of blindness on the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus: And when they had gone through the whole island as far as Paphos, they found a certain prophet whose name was Bar-Jesus, who was with the proconsul, Sergius Paulus, a man of intelligence. One moment, Saul was persecuting the church; shortly thereafter he was seeking to fellowship with the saints. It does not store any personal data. Sauls vision prepared him for the arrival of Ananias, clearly indicating that he was the one God had appointed to reveal His will for him. 23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. But then the preacher can continue that even though Ananias didnt know about Sauls epiphany, he did as the Lord told him anyway. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world (John 9:5). The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 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. 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. Saul was the bad guy. 153 Sauls conversion did not bring instant maturity or spirituality, but was the point where growth commenced. He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:5-7). 15:10; Gal. Sauls world of self-trust was now at an end and prayer was helping him see that. The man who, days before, was persecuting Christ was now preaching Christ. I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. Second, the gospel should be proclaimed in a way that is personal. Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). helpful to the Lord. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands onq him to restore his sight.. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. But beyond this, his conversion totally changed the remainder of his life. 5 Why did Ananias and Sapphira lie to God? Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. Then he And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Chapter 9. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? "how many things he must suffer for 136 E. M. Blaiklock, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: Wm. 30And when the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him on his way to Tarsus.p. There would likely be another group of people meeting on the evening before Saul arrived in Damascusthose who did not believe in Jesus as their Messiah, and who eagerly sought the eradication of the church in their city. [ a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads. In Hellenistic times it was completely replanned on the Hippodamian grid-system. Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus. This account is accompanied by an asseveration of its truth which suggests that some people were contradicting it.133. Grace is not only the basis for ones salvation, but also for ones spiritual walk and service: As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude (Colossians 2:6-7). My Spirit, who is on you, and my words that I have put in your mouth will not depart from your mouth, or from the mouths of your children, or from the mouths of their descendants from this time on and forever, says the Lord. He knew that going to see Saul would put his life in danger. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for, And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting, he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before, I will show him how many things he must suffer for My. 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. 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. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). He spoke of salvation as the change from death to life (Ephesians 2:1-3). It is the invitation for sinful Israelites to be saved, by repenting and calling on the name of the Lord for salvation: Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? 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. Despite the threats Saul had made and his notorious track record of persecuting, arresting and even affirming the execution of Christians, Ananias, whose Ananias and Saul. What a shock Sauls conversion must have been to both groups! 1:29, 30, NKJV, Abide Bible, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version. The casting of this spell on this false prophet could therefore have been an act of kindness, as Gods blinding of Saul had been, intended to cease his opposition and perhaps even to bring about his conversion. Ananias would have lost a human beings greatest privilege, of being an agent of the Lord (like an angel of the Lord). How many times should a shock absorber bounce? 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. 5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e 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). For the remainder of this essay, I will pursue the second option. Leave them; they are blind guides. 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? a conversion of will, intellect, and emotion, which dictated the abiding purpose and direction of his subsequent life and activity. It was being built up and walked in the fear of the Lord, and with the consolation of the holy Spirit it grew in numbers. WebThats when Ananias heard a word from the Lord. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?d sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W (7) The salvation of Saul was Christ-centered. sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. In this chapter we have, I. ACTS 9:10-14 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, Let us suppose further that the church had gathered on this particular evening for a time of prayer, prompted by the news that Saul was soon to arrive, with all the necessary legal machinery (that is, the authorization of the chief priests and the Sanhedrin130) to arrest and extradite131 the saints who were in the city. Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:8-12). This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. Let us be careful to discern what changes the gospel requires and what changes it does not. No one could fault the reluctance of Ananias. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? Trembling and astonished, he inquired, According to Acts 9:10, Ananias was living in Damascus. Who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. 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). 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). . The conversion of Saul is important in another way. In 47 B.C. WebThis happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. God chose Saul and had his destiny planned, before He saved him. 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. Am I not an apostle? 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. 145 We may note incidentally the two new descriptions of the Christians used here. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. Web3. Ananias (/nnas/ AN--NY-s; Ancient Greek: from Hebrew , Hananiah, favoured of the LORD) was a disciple of Jesus at Damascus mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles in the Bible, which describes how he was sent by Jesus to restore the sight of Saul of Tarsus (who later was called Paul the Apostle) and . 149 It is more significant than might be supposed at first glance that the only occurrence of the title `Son of God in Acts should be in this report of Sauls early preaching. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Who is blind but my servant {Israel}, and deaf like the messenger I send? About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. 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. What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? 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. 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. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. What happened to Ananias and Sapphira as a result of lying to God? Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? Later it was the seat of administration of an Assyrian province. The first is to ask the congregation to identify with Saul himself. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). 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). 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 . It is also bad news for the self-righteous. Think about what happened as a result of this man overcoming his fear and obeying God. WebAnanias, I am sure. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. 129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:18). There is a great deal of information we are not given, and thus we cannot be dogmatic about our conclusions. 9. Presumably this is the case, however I still wonder a bit about this. Pauls hatred for Christ and His followers was common knowledge. 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. The election of Saul to salvation was specific and thus, personal. In peace, as in persecution, the church was comforted and continued to increase. Saul took this most seriously, not eating or drinking until after his confession of faith by means of his baptism. 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. Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. Saul, like Stephen, had a ministry which focused on the Hellenistic Jews. Then a voice said to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?, Saul asked the voice, Who are you, sir?, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 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. Yes, Lord, he answered. Pauls experience was not visionary but was precipitated by the appearance of Jesus, as he insists in 1Cor 15:8. He went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram. Word was out that Saul would soon be arriving. Shortly afterwards, the Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias, asking him to go to Saul, place his hands on him, and restore his sight. Your merchants were the worlds great men. Could Judas have been a Christian? 9:31). Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. 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. A resource for the whole church from Luther Seminary. I see a man who is confident, aggressive, and zealous, rather than a man troubled by inner doubts. 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. Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. 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). The call of salvation is a call to holiness, and to obedience, and to fellowship, with God and with our fellow-believers. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
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why was ananias afraid of helping saul
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