Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? 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. Saul Ananias Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. (For suggested ways to teach the scripture account, see Teaching from the Scriptures, p. They, too, were afraid of Saul and did not believe he really was a follower of Jesus Christ. Handed down. Over and over in his epistles, Paul spoke of salvation in terms of radical change. 2 What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? 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. WebAnanias, had he disobeyed Christ, would not have helped Saul on that path in which he, as Paul the apostle, did so much, and suffered so much, for Christ. 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. 00:00. 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). 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?d The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". During the subsequent Roman rule, the Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. It is one of the few accounts of a conversion which is described with some detail (although this detail is much less than we would prefer). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebSauls Baptism. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? The first words spoken to Saul were, Saul, Saul, Why are you persecuting Me? (Acts 9:4). . 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.l 9 Meanwhile Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who belonged to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 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. Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. Pauls conversion is one of the great stories of the early church, and it has rightfully inspired Christians from every generation. The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets. Ananias One of the most dramatic revelations of Sauls Damascus road experience was that he was not serving God, but he was persecuting Him. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. 11 On that day the weeping in Jerusalem will be great, like the weeping of Hadad Rimmon in the plain of Megiddo. 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). The Book of Galatians is but one example of this. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 8 Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? 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, whom we have already met (Acts 5:34-40). There is a great basis for comfort in the sovereignty of God. Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). 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. 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". 6 What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus. ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v Barnabas stood up for Saul and explained everything to the Jerusalem Christians. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth (Isaiah 49:6). 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. No doubt entered the mind of Saul that the Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. 148 I would assume that Saul was one of those who covered his ears so as not to hear the praise of Stephen, as reported in Acts 7:57. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Copyright 2019-2023 USCCB, please review our Privacy Policy. sunodia, Luke 2:44). F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), fn. the citation of Ps 2:7 in Pauls speech at Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:33). Ananias Few Christians will encounter the risen, glorified Lord as Saul did here. 16 But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life (1 Timothy 1:12-16). After this incident with Paul we hear no more of him. 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). He is there praying,j 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. And if this was important for Saul to do, it was equally important for the church to accept him into their fellowship, as an expression of their unity in Christ. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 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. Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight,. Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. 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? This light would thus have been very bright indeed. Web3. 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. Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.. 31* The church throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria was at peace. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. 5:3-4). 10i There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. He answered, Here I am, Lord. 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). He should not be circumcised. Present active participle of sunbubazo, old verb to make go together, to coalesce, to knit together. 136. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. This method of argument Paul continued to use with the Jews (Acts 17:3). It was evidently a term used by the early followers of Jesus to denote their movement as the way of life or the way of salvation. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me (Acts 26:18). Ed, Issue 46, Winter 2023. Then will the eyes of the blind be opened and the ears of the deaf unstopped (Isaiah 35:5). 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. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? With this backdrop in place, the preacher can now focus on two movements of Ananias part of this story: his vision and conversation with the Lord (verses 10-16) and his laying hands on Saul leading to Sauls baptism (verses 17-19). To him be honor and might forever. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 11:32-33; cf. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in Hebrew Baby Names Meaning: In Hebrew Baby Names the meaning of the name Sapphira is: Sapphire (gem); beautiful. sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W . 16and I will show him what he will have to suffer for my name. His conversion was the beginning of a life-long process of maturing and growth in the Lord. It is difficult to estimate the amount of resistance Ananias would have had to this divine instruction to receive Saul as a brother in the Lord. 28 And he was with them moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. No one could fault the reluctance of Ananias. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. I can believe someone might have prayed that Saul be waylaid, or terminated, in some divine act or providential accident (act of God). After that Saul was welcomed by the Christians and he preached freely in and around Jerusalem. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Not all Christians are equipped to be apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, or teachers (Ephesians 4:11). east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city Ananias 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. The answer is: Jesus. 2 Cor. 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. Follow Christ's journey to the Cross. All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. Why did Saint Paul change his 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. 5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. I am not at all sure how this can be determined from the text. The Lesson of Ananias | Tim Challies 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. (9) On the road to Damascus, Saul did far more than to see a bright light and to hear a voice from heaven. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. 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. Do not let anyone despise you (Titus 2:11-15). It is no wonder then that this one who was Sauls all in all would be the focus, the substance, of the gospel which he preached: But we preach Christ crucified (1 Corinthians 1:23). The LORD identified Himself as the Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. (13) As Stephens death, instigated (or at least assisted) by Saul, resulted in an intense and widespread persecution of the churches in Jerusalem and elsewhere, so Sauls conversion seems to have been directly related to the return of peace (cf. 43* r And he stayed a long time in Joppa with Simon, a tanner. For all the saints. WebThere was no indication in Jesus words that Ananias was going to give Saul the Holy Spirit. To open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness (Isaiah 42:7). Trembling and astonished, he inquired, 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). And, who knows, God may even answer those prayers and the persons life be blessed and changed in ways we cannot even imagine.. Jesus dealt with Nicodemus (John 3) very differently from the Samaritan woman (John 4). They do not understand the gospel well enough. 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. Ananias was afraid because he knew Saul's reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church . Who was Ananias of Damascus in the New Testament 3. How do you calculate working capital for a construction company? 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. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. This silence is instructive, in my opinion. The narrative lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings Read more. Jesus words, Why are you persecuting Me?, clearly implied that Sauls persecution of the church was a persecution of the Lord. In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. 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. Robert L. (Bob)Deffinbaugh graduated from Dallas Theological Seminary with his Th.M. Ironically, Ananias could have become one of Sauls targets of persecution for following the Lord Jesus. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Unexpected and mysterious ELW 258 All are welcome ELW 641, Lois Craddock Perkins Professor of Homiletics. This three-fold repetition is a clear indication of the importance of this event, especially in the themes Luke is seeking to develop in the Book of Acts. We shall then seek to identify the characteristics of Sauls conversion which are typical of every conversion. Rather than attempt to pacify Ananias or to alleviate his apprehension, God went on to tell him that Saul would not only be a brother, but he would be His instrument for bringing the gospel to Gentiles too. 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). B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. Why was Saul (later called Paul) going to Damascus? A Period of Peace After Sauls Conversion (Acts 9:31) Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. At first Ananias was afraid because he knew how Saul persecuted the Christians, but the Lord said that Saul had a special ministry he must fulfill. Saul did not agree with his teacher, Gamaliel, on how the Christians should be dealt with, however. This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. 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. (7) The salvation of Saul was Christ-centered. WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ 9 and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christthe righteousness that comes from God and is by faith (Philippians 3:1-9; cf. Though I have fallen, I will rise. Nevertheless, at some point in time Saul did arrive in Jerusalem. Why did Ananias and Sapphira sell their property? To both Ananias (Acts 9:10) and Saul (Acts 9:12). When the plot became known to Saul, he made a successful, albeit undignified, escape from the city of Damascus. In Jerusalem, as in Damascus, Saul spoke out boldly proclaiming Jesus to be the Christ, the promised Messiah.
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