why was ananias afraid of helping saul

If this passage is profoundly important, it also poses its problems. Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? There he was transfigured before them. The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". Saul seems to have been the instigator of the persecution of the church, which began at the death of Stephen in Jerusalem and worked outward from there. . Perhaps Ananias called a meeting of the church to discuss how they would deal with Sauls arrival. They, too, were afraid of Saul and did not believe he really was a follower of Jesus Christ. The second evidence of Sauls conversion was in his bold proclamation of his newly found faith in Jesus as the Messiah. 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. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. It is not clear Saul went to other cities where he sought to arrest Christians and to bring them back to Jerusalem for punishment. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. It is a miraculous, dramatic reversal, first of ones beliefs, and then of ones behavior. Many are the plans in a mans heart, But the counsel of the LORD, it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W 2:7; 2 Tim. They may have been attempting to compile a list of known (and even suspected) Christians, along with addresses, to facilitate Sauls task. But as Saul grew in strength and as his arguments were irrefutable, just as Stephens had been (Acts 6:10), his opponents realized that the only way to silence Saul was to kill him. Questions: Why were Ananias and Sapphira not given a second chance? 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. God struck Ananias and Sapphira dead for hypocrisy While their penalties seem extreme to us today, God judged them guilty of sins so serious that they threatened the very existence of the early church. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). 13:1 On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity (Zechariah 12:1013:1). 36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which translated means Dorcas). It was irresistible argument and spread consternation among the Jews. Get up and make your bed. He got up at once. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. 153 Sauls conversion did not bring instant maturity or spirituality, but was the point where growth commenced. what occupation he was (possibly a businessman). Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that As persecution was no longer needed to disperse the church and the gospel, peace was restored to the land. . Thank God that is what happened. It is here that Paul took the leadership and became the dominant or leading individual, instead of Barnabas. When I look through the Gospels and the Book of Acts, I never find the gospel presented in the same way to different people. 24n but their plot became known to Saul. 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. Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). Now that the Lord had identified Himself as Jesus, Saul recognized that he was the sinner. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast (Galatians 2:8-9). 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. Michael Garicoits (1797-1863) was born into a poor, but hardworking and humble family. 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! 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. Did they send for Saul? Maybe he died, but it also may be because most of the rest of Acts is fo- cused on more distant places. No, I worked harder than all of themyet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. 19 From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory. 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. . Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him? 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. 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). It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click * [9:3143] In the context of the period of peace enjoyed by the community through the cessation of Pauls activities against it, Luke introduces two traditions concerning the miraculous power exercised by Peter as he was making a tour of places where the Christian message had already been preached. 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. When Ananias Saul is welcomed into the church. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Introduction: suppose you heard someone was coming to arrest you, or even worse. It was as the Son of God that Christ was revealed to him on the Damascus road (Gal. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. To Him be the glory forever. Sauls conversion was to play a crucial role in the expansion of the gospel. 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. Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. 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. They are private Christians, living like islands rather than as a part of His body. Used by permission. 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). But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. 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. 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. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life (1 Thessalonians 4:7). Ananias found Saul and said to him, 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. As soon as Ananias spoke, Saul could see again. What was Ananias role in Sauls conversion to Christianity? When Saul reached Jerusalem, the Christians there also were afraid of him, because they thought he was going to have them all arrested. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. 135 There are those who describe Saul as a tormented man after the stoning of Stephen. 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 Over and over in his epistles, Paul spoke of salvation in terms of radical change. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. In Jerusalem, as in Damascus, Saul spoke out boldly proclaiming Jesus to be the Christ, the promised Messiah. 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. (7) The salvation of Saul was Christ-centered. 41He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. (12) The same Saul who played a role in Stephens execution was to become, in large measure, his replacement. WebThere was no indication in Jesus words that Ananias was going to give Saul the Holy Spirit. 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. 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. These two shocking deaths served as an example to the body of Christ that God hates hypocrisy. 35And all the inhabitants of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Why did God send Ananias to Saul 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). 9 For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. Pauls language in Acts 26:11 seems to mean that Damascus is merely one of other `foreign cities to which he carried the persecution. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 114. 3 Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn (Isaiah 59:15b60:13). This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Routing number of commercial bank of Ethiopia? Some of the Hellenistic Jews responded to the preaching of Saul as they had to Stephens preaching; they wanted to kill him (9:29). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. What is wrong with Ananias response to the Lord? He spoke of salvation as dying to the old manner of living and as rising from the dead in order to live an entirely new life (Romans 6). In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. When Saul was confronted on the road to Damascus, he saw the risen, glorified Lord. 23After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, I. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. 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). His parents allowed visiting priests to minister secretly in their home during the dangers of the French Revolution. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15). The laying on of Ananias hands was also an expression of unity, as was the later right hand of fellowship extended by some of the apostles to Saul (Galatians 2:9). 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). The call of salvation is a call to holiness, and to obedience, and to fellowship, with God and with our fellow-believers. 131 . 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. 2. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in 22:10 `What shall I do, Lord? A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, pp. And having escaped from Damascus in a basket, most likely alone, he probably returned to Jerusalem alone, without a witness who could corroborate his claims. So Ananias found Saul at Judas' house, praying for help. Copyright 2023 Rochester Catholic Press Association, Inc. All rights reserved. came under Alexander the Great's rule. 11 And of this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher. WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. (9) Finally, I believe that Lukes portrayal of Sauls salvation is typical of that of the nation Israel, which is still future. Ananias The message of the gospel, to be sure, is always the same, but the approach is not. The details of what was said and done when Ananias arrived are fuzzy. Or could it be that these disciples of Saul were Sauls disciples before his conversion, who accompanied him as he sought to capture Christians. The Apostle Paul: Saul and Ananias 28He moved about freely with them in Jerusalem, and spoke out boldly in the name of the Lord. Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. 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? Who told Saul to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street? Paul would make much more of this point in the first chapter of Galatians. 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). In this approach, preachers are offering their congregation a chance to relate to Ananias dream that leads him to overcome his preconception of Saul (a correct but now outdated preconception), come to see Saul as someone God has called, and respond faithfully. For the time being, God is using the disobedience of Israel to accomplish His purposes, but there is surely a time coming when Israel will be restored to the Lord, by faith in Christ. The narrative lectionary is a four-year cycle of readings Read more. What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? It may be that Sauls conversion was the instrument God used to convert these followers of Saul, so that they really were his disciples, in a two-fold sense. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). 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). OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? 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. Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. In Pauls speech in Acts 22, he describes Ananias as a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews that dwelt in Damascus (Acts 22:12). 16For (I)I will show him how many things he must suffer for My (J)names sake.. In the Bible, Reuben and Saul were of no relation to each other. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him 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. Ananias and Saul in Damascus. And He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. The New International Version The two messages cannot be reconciled. 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. 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? WebWhy was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 1:4). F. F. Bruce, p. 190. 1 Corinthians 9:1; 15:4-11). The second option is to invite the congregation to identify with Ananias (who shows up in verse 10). 129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. When her lie had been exposed, she also fell down and died at Peters feet. 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." 7 Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? Who was Ananias that help Saul in the Bible to regain his sight? 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. Web The children will describe Ananias as a man who helped Saul even though he was afraid. At first, I thought this was unique with Saul. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 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. 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. No one, it would seem, was even thinking of what God was about to do. WebThats when Ananias heard a word from the Lord. To the church, Saul turned out to be a friend, a fellow-believer, in fact, a flaming evangelist, who proclaimed Christ more clearly and powerfully than anyone had previously done in Damascus. 2 What was the decision of Ananias and Sapphira? Ananias small act of obedience led to a great harvest for the kingdom. The New International Version A letter delivered at that time by a Roman ambassador to Ptolemy VIII of Egypt concludes with the demand: If any pestilent men have fled to you from their own country {Judaea}, hand them over to Simon the high priest, so that he may punish them according to their law (1 Macc. 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). See Appendix B for information on Sauls Theology in the Book of Romans. The saints (9:32, 41; 26:10; cf. WebWe do not know whether Ananias already had previous experience miracles of healing, but the Lord was instructing him to interview the notorious Pharisee Saul, who fiercely persecuted Christians, and to heal his blindness. called for him to be slapped. Saul was not seeking God. Saul was saved in spite of himself. And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul (Acts 16:14). It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. He will bring me out into the light; I will see his righteousness (Micah 7:8-9). The Church at Peace. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. In fact, as Saul would later write, he realized that he was chief of sinners (1 Timothy 1:15). also Isaiah 64:6). 28, p. 185. For in Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authoritiesall things have been created through Him and for Him. also 16:17; 18:25-26). on it belonged to the Roman province of Syria, but had a measure of municipal autonomy in the loose federation of cities called the Decapolis. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. ,%d/3o3o6jda=|4S-LJ3ajLcNfZyV;CkCl>390q {KQ0lQ)0>~cy:CJkP|4M-\v I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14). 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 . What happened to Straight Street since then? Saul could only be persecuting Jesus through the members of His body, the church. 1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes, 2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christtheir Lord and ours 9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful (1 Corinthians 1:1-2, 9). The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. For less than $5/mo. If you have any questions, please review our Privacy Policy or email us at privacy@biblegateway.com. He realized that it was nothing which he had donenor ever would dobut only by what Jesus Christ had done that saved him. 147 The more Saul preached, the more the Jews were confused. WebAs Donald Davis notes, In case God has overlooked Sauls atrocities, [Ananias] takes occasion to issue a brief reminder. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles (Isaiah 42:6). 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. But there is a greater discrepancy between the accounts of Sauls conversion in Acts and that which Paul gave in Galatians 1. 22But Saul grew all the stronger and confounded [the] Jews who lived in Damascus, proving that this is the Messiah. The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power. In Sauls account of his conversion to His Jewish brethren, he added that when Ananias arrived, he instructed him to Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name (Acts 22:16). WebThe Conversion of Saul. Ananias and Saul - June 3, 2022. Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you (Isaiah 60:1). Just as Saul had opposed those who believed, so Bar-Jesus opposed the proconsuls conversion. University Of Valley Forge Academic Calendar, Articles W