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

18Immediately things like scales fell from his eyes and he regained his sight. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20). What do Ananias actions, when asked in the passage to heal Saul, suggest about his feelings toward him? Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight. How old was Jesus when he was crucified? It is evident in the way he was saved. He went on to write nearly half of the New Testament. 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). We know from other accounts (22:6; 26:13) that it was high noon when Saul was stopped in his tracks by a bright light from heaven. 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 The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. Acts 9, 22, 26; Romans 15:15-21; cf. And yet while God had foretold the rebellion of Israel and their rejection, so He had also foretold of Israels restoration (cf. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. And now, he is preaching the same message. Were these people as eager as Saul to destroy the church? Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. The result was the restoration of Sauls sight and, it would seem, Sauls reception of the Holy Spirit. They do not understand the gospel well enough. 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. 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. 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. We will next seek to learn how this description of Sauls conversion fits into and contributes to the development of Lukes argument in Acts. What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? . I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 171. The Lord seeks and saves individuals, and thus our methods should be personal. It does not store any personal data. 140 They are called his sunodeuontes, `those who were in the caravan with Him (cf. (14) There is an interesting symmetry or parallel between the conversion of Saul and the conversion of Cornelius. Saul took this most seriously, not eating or drinking until after his confession of faith by means of his baptism. l. [9:14] 9:12; 26:10; 1Cor 1:2; 2Tm 2:22. 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? Three times in the Book of Acts it is reported, the first time in the third person (he) by Luke (Acts 9:1-31), the second time in the first person (I) by the apostle, as he spoke to his Jewish unbelieving brethren in defense of his ministry (Acts 22:1-21), and the third time, again in the first person, as his personal testimony to King Agrippa, Festus, and Bernice (Acts 26:1-23). He sent me so that you can 143 . The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. 15:8; Gal. 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight., 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (C)how much [a]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. 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 . 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. . The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993. The conversion of Saul, as depicted in our text, was not only a divine call to salvation, but it was also a call to service. (1) There is considerable emphasis given to Sauls conversion in the Book of Acts. [ a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads. For God has shut up all in disobedience that He might show mercy to all (Romans 11:25-32). helpful to the Lord. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that Ananias and Saul - June 3, 2022. WebWhy was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord? Our text presents Saul as a man who was not only running from God, but one who was actively opposing Him. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Thus, it is grace which sustains the saint, in addition to saving him: Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited (Hebrews 13:9). This light was more, much more, than just a bright light. Romans 6). . He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). 41He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. Why did Ananias have to overcome his fear? When God spoke to Ananias commanding him to go to the house where Saul was staying, he was to receive him as a brother; and he was told that he was called to suffer as Gods chosen vessel to proclaim the gospel to the Gentiles, kings, and to his fellow-Israelites. After this incident with Paul we hear no more This man who had formerly cringed at the preaching of the gospel148 was now proclaiming the same message. 10. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. * She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. Saul 116-117. 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. But the gospel is good news for sinners. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. By your magic spell all the nations were led astray (Revelation 18:23). Lesson: Saul Believes in Jesus - Ministry-To-Children 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). 29He also spoke and debated with the Hellenists,* but they tried to kill him. * [9:20] Son of God: the title Son of God occurs in Acts only here, but cf. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. 147 The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused. But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. WebThats when Ananias heard a word from the Lord. What a shock Sauls conversion must have been to both groups! There are affinities between his conversion experience and Ezekiels inaugural vision, in which the prophet saw the likeness of the heavenly throne and above it a likeness as it were of a human form (Ezek. 16For (I)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (J)names sake.. 6 And you, son of man, do not be afraid of them or their words. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.. The LORD identified Himself as the Jesus, whom he had been persecuting. Saul recognized that he was a sinner, and that his righteousness was but dung before God. The good news of the gospel is that Christ Jesus came to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). 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. All rights reserved. One of the most dramatic revelations of Sauls Damascus road experience was that he was not serving God, but he was persecuting Him. 1:16f. The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Matthew 4:16). 1:11--2:10; Ephesians 3:1-13; cf. 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. It is a miraculous, dramatic reversal, first of ones beliefs, and then of ones behavior. The first is this: every saved person must have a personal conversion experience. WebAnanias was afraid of Saul. The children will state that they can pray if they feel afraid and it will help them to be brave and friendly. They are also very significant in what they conveyed to Saul. There is not so much as a hint that anyone prayed for Sauls salvation or took the initiative to bring it about. Am I not an apostle? i3&K>Kpg Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. 135 There are those who describe Saul as a tormented man after the stoning of Stephen. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? Could Judas have been a Christian? When I saw it, I fell face down, and I heard the voice of one speaking. 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. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. I was inclined to think that most of us, experientially, are called to faith in Christ only to gradually learn Gods will for our life, progressively revealed to us as we walk in Him. Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. 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. Sauls Conversion. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple (vs. 26). 1:26); but for Saul the one who bore a human form identified himself as a historical person: `I am Jesus. Few of Sauls distinctive insights into the significance of the gospel cannot be traced back to the Damascus-road event, or to the outworking of that event in his life and thought. Blaiklock, for example (pp. Ananias found Perhaps Ananias and Sapphira got caught up in a band-wagon effect. Have you had such an encounter? 7 To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 1:6-7). He is there praying,j They could only kill him, and this they were determined to do (9:23). Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. The salvation of Saul was to result in the gospel being preached to distant people and lands, and in the extension of the church to many key cities. Ananias He trusted that Christ had a future purpose for Saul (verse 15) even though Sauls past as he knew it seemed to point toward a different future. There is surely a connection between Saul and persecution, and Saul and peace. WebAnanias placed his hands upon Saul who received the Holy Spirit and the restoration of his sight. It is not clear 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. Thank God that is what happened. Blindness, not willing to see, not willing to understand is all too common but Ananias cured Saul blindness by a touch. Devotion Saul He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? Why do you think the street was named "Straight" The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. It lay within the jurisdiction of the Roman province of Syria, and it formed part of the Decapolis, a league of self-governing cities. 11:2328; 12:710; Gal. Ananias 3On his journey, as he was nearing Damascus, a light from the sky suddenly flashed around him.c 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. 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). 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. What a shock these words must have been to Saul, who up to this point, seems to have prided himself for his faithfulness to Judaism! Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. Ananias It almost seems harder to convince Ananias that Saul is (or will be) a Christian than it is to convert Saul. 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. WebTeach the children the account of Sauls conversion to the Church of Jesus Christ as found in Acts 9:120. Saul 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, that, if he should find any men or women who belonged to the Way,* he might bring them back to Jerusalem in chains. 27 I saw that from what appeared to be his waist up he looked like glowing metal, as if full of fire, and that from there down he looked like fire; and brilliant light surrounded him. He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. 7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, for they heard the voice but could see no one.g These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Web3. AT this season we are called upon to think of foreign missions. . 1:15; Eph. For he will come like a pent-up flood that the breath of the Lord drives along. ANANIAS - Who Are The Three Ananias In The Bible? He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. 1. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing;* so they led him by the hand and brought him to Damascus.h . Sign up now for the latest news and deals from Bible Gateway! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. 136. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? The risen Lord selected Saul out of the group with which he was traveling to hear, to see Him, and to understand His words. 17(K)And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and (L)laying his hands on him he said, Brother Saul, the Lord [c]Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and (M)be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light (Matthew 17:2). As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received (Ephesians 4:1). Sermon Seeds: The Way Forward - United Church of Christ We can overcome our fears if, like Ananias, we trust that Jesus is directing the preaching work, Saul got help, though, from a man named Barnabas. WebSaul had come to Damascus with letters from the authorities in Jerusalem to find followers of Jesus and arrest them. Ananias * [9:2] The Way: a name used by the early Christian community for itself (Acts 18:26; 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22). * [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18. %PDF-1.2 % These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. What are 3 long term physical effects of tobacco use? Ananias would probably be afraid to go see Saul because Ananias was a Christian, and Saul was coming to the city to arrest the Christians. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. SAUL Are you not the result of my work in the Lord? Saul did not agree with his teacher, Gamaliel, on how the Christians should be dealt with, however. also 2:14-17; 3:12-18; 4:1-18; 5:17-21; 6:13--7:1; Galatians 1:13-17; cf. What happened to Straight Street since then? 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. 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. 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). 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. Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). 8 Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? 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. Ananias and Saul. He summed up life in this one word: For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21). The narrative lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings Read more. Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? Would the church not have undertaken the task of discipling these folks? Obedience is often not easy, but it is very likely the most direct way forward and the clearest way to honor God. Saul (11) Sauls conversion was a watershed event which greatly affected the history of the church. Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus. Presumably this is the case, however I still wonder a bit about this. 1:16; cf. ananisofdamascus - Bible Facts 138 Three times (8:3; 9:2; 22:4) this fact of persecuting women is mentioned as a special blot in Pauls cruelty (the third time by Paul himself) and one of the items in his being chief of sinners (1 Tim. WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. This happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. In spite of this, we are not told here that Saul did receive the Holy Spirit or what happened when he did. 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). 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? When all is said and done, the miracle which took place on the way to Damascus (and likely in Damascus as well) was that Saul saw Jesus as the Son of God, as the Messiah, and as his Savior and Lord: Am I not free? In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). All who make idols are nothing, and the things they treasure are worthless. What did Ananias do for Saul? vii.) 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? My names sake" (Acts 9:16) even before his ministry began. The ultimate issue was Gods ability to saveeven the most committed unbeliever. 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. 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. When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, I am the light of the world. Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. At least we can say that no one had enough faith to believe it, even as Peter stood at the door, knocking to get in (12:12-17). He realized that it was nothing which he had donenor ever would dobut only by what Jesus Christ had done that saved him.