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

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet. also 2:1-5; 2 Corinthians 2:17; 4:2). WebWe can understand why Ananias would be afraid of Saul. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Saul 11The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. After this incident with Paul we hear no more of him. I. Howard Marshall summarizes the problem in these words: Nevertheless, we obtain a different impression of things from Galatians 1:16-24, according to which (1) Paul did not confer with men after his conversion nor go to the apostles in Jerusalem, but (2) departed to Arabia and then returned to Damascus; then (3) three years later he went to Jerusalem for a visit lasting a fortnight during which he saw only Peter and James, and at this time he was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea; thereafter (4) he went to Syria and Cilicia. I. For the remainder of this essay, I will pursue the second option. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. He became a priest himself in 1823. Second, the gospel should be proclaimed in a way that is personal. 1:11--2:10; Philippians 3:1-14; Colossians 1:24-29; 1 Timothy 1:12-17; 6:13-16; 2 Timothy 1:8-12; Titus 2:11-15; 3:1-7. Trembling and astonished, he inquired, (14) There is an interesting symmetry or parallel between the conversion of Saul and the conversion of Cornelius. 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. 4 The people to whom I am sending you are obstinate and stubborn. Ananias Ananias 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. [ a]It is hard for you to kick against the goads. 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. The common characteristics of conversion are those on which I would like to focus in the conversion of 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. How did God use Ananias in the New Testament? 9:31). No sinner is beyond the grace and the grasp of God. Did Peter and Paul meet? ACTS 9:10-14 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, The blindness to which Saul was subject for three days provided him with much time for reflection, meditation, and prayer. Lessons from a Fearful Follower However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. At first, I thought this was unique with Saul. 24n but their plot became known to Saul. To persecute them was to persecute Him. 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. 8 Is the story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 harsh? 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. 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. 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 Lesson of Ananias | Tim Challies (Acts 9:11)? Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus. Lesson: Saul Believes in Jesus - Ministry-To-Children 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. 3:7, 8; 1 Tim. Who is blind like the one committed to me, blind like the servant of the Lord? (Isaiah 42:18-19). We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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. The apostles had nothing to do with Sauls conversion, and they were reluctant to believe it had happened or to welcome him into their fellowship. It was just such a miracle which gave Saul his spiritual sight, as he received back his physical sight. All rights reserved. Transform us as you transformed Paul. How old was Jesus when he was crucified? ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. The pastor advised him to pray for the person every day for two weeks pray for the person not about the person. 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. Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? 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. sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W 10. 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. It is, in the Bible, the radiance of Gods glory. Barnabas stood up for Saul and explained everything to the Jerusalem Christians. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. First, there are problems which appear to be serious. Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse 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). 145 We may note incidentally the two new descriptions of the Christians used here. 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. It does not store any personal data. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics". OR WHO HAS FIRST GIVEN TO HIM THAT IT MIGHT BE PAID BACK TO HIM AGAIN? Nevertheless, conversion has certain elements which are vital and which are to be present in any salvation experience. It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. 6 And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda. He didnt know that the risen Christ had confronted Saul on the road to Damascus just as Christ is now confronting him This sets up a flashback to verses 1-9. There is no more appropriate conclusion to our message than the words of the apostle Paul, which immediately follow those above, and which aptly express the response of the Christian to the wisdom, the grace, and the sovereignty of the God who has saved us, and who works all things together for His glory and for the good of His chosen ones: Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! Lest anyone think they are too sinful to save, let me remind you that when Paul wrote that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, he quickly added, among whom I am foremost of all.. They found that their cause was literally shut down by Sauls arrival, and the wind was taken out of their sails by his conversion. When Sapphira showed up, she, too, lied to Peter and to God, saying that they had donated the entire proceeds of the sale of the land to the church. Why were Ananias and Sapphira killed on the spot? Saul saw and heard the resurrected Christ. 10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, here am I, Lord. 11 And the Lord said to him, Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight. 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Thy saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon Thy name.145 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My names sake.. It was the most powerful piece of artillery in the Jewish camp that was suddenly turned round upon them. A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, p. 123. What do you suppose the saints would have prayed at this special prayer meeting? Ananias was a disciple of Jesus who lived in Damascus and was F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 113. 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. But there is a greater discrepancy between the accounts of Sauls conversion in Acts and that which Paul gave in Galatians 1. Did they think their task would be a simple one? This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. WebAnswer: > 10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias. Here I am, Lord, he replied. But then the preacher can continue that even though Ananias didnt know about Sauls epiphany, he did as the Lord told him anyway. What Paul learned about himself, personally, on the road to Damascus he came to understand and to preach concerning all men. This is a miracle, a miracle which is all of God, and all of grace. 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. 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. . The children will practice being giving and friendly with someone that they do not know. Yes, Lord, he answered. 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). 2, called him Ananias ben Nebedeus. WebThe Lord called to him in a vision, o Ananias!. Road to Damascus He sent me so that you can It is not clear whether this official was a representative of the king resident in Damascus to look after the interests of the Arabs there, or whether Damascus at this time was under the control of Nabataea. I. Howard Marshall, The Acts of the Apostles (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, reprint, 1987), p. 168. Enough revelation for the moment. Amen (Romans 11:33-36). 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). He officiated as high priest from about AD 47 to 52. They wanted to keep Gods blessings to themselves. A Period of Peace After Sauls Conversion (Acts 9:31) Get the BEST VALUE in digital Bible study as you prepare for Easter. We know from Romans 7, for example, that Paul had struggles in his spiritual walk. He constantly defended the gospel against those who would diminish grace and seek to pollute it with works. (Acts 9:11)? The man who walks in the dark does not know where he is going. The Lord looked and was displeased that there was no justice. 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. WebThe Good Ananias: A Lesson for Believers. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. At midday we stumble as if it were twilight; among the strong, we are like the dead (Isaiah 59:10). What else did Jesus explain to Ananias? 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. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. 23 And when many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul.