Sunday, August 20, Lesson: Acts 9:10-20; Time of Action: 32 A.D.; Place of Action: Damascus, Syria

Transcription

1 Sunday, August 20, 2017 Lesson: Acts 9:10-20; Time of Action: 32 A.D.; Place of Action: Damascus, Syria Golden Text: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). I. INTRODUCTION. In this week s lesson, we take a look at the very direct and dramatic call from God to an individual named Ananias. We have very little information about him, except that he was a disciple of Jesus Christ. He was learning about walking with the Lord. We can see from his response to the Lord that he knew God had the right to ask him to do anything, even something very difficult and potentially very dangerous. However, the call was not impossibly hard or complicated. It didn t take special preparation, years of study, and expensive equipment. All Ananias had to do was go, find Saul, and talk to him.

2 II. LESSON BACKGROUND. After Stephen was stoned to death (see Acts 7:54-59), heavy persecution took place against the young church. Many believers who were forced to leave Jerusalem went everywhere preaching the word: (see Acts 8:4). However, Saul of Tarsus, a young Pharisee was determined to exterminate this new religious sect, wherever it spread (see Acts 8:3; 26:9-11). He even obtained permission from the high priest to apprehend Christians, or those who followed that way (see Acts 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:22), in Damascus (see Acts 9:1-2). On his way to Damascus, Saul was confronted by the Lord Jesus in a most spectacular way (see Acts 9:3-7). He was totally blinded during the experience and had to be led to Damascus, where he waited three days for additional instructions (see Acts 9:8-9). While Saul waited, the Lord was preparing another man, Ananias to further instruct him. This is where our lesson begins. III. THE ROLE OF ANANIAS (Acts 9:10-14) A. Ananias call (Acts 9:10). Our first verse says And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. First, we are told that there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named

3 Ananias. The term disciple comes from a Greek word that means learner. The word came to identify a believer in Jesus Christ. Before, the Twelve became apostles they were called disciples (see Matthew 10:2; Luke 6:13) because they were not only followers of Jesus, but also learners. This certain disciple lived in Damascus, the capital of Syria (see Isaiah 7:8) and his name was Ananias. We aren t given any more information about Ananias here, but in Acts 12:22 we are told that he was a law-keeping Jew who had a good reputation among the Jews in Damascus. The Lord, who was undoubtedly Jesus (see Acts 9:17) spoke to this disciple in a vision calling him by name saying Ananias. This disciple recognized the Lord s voice and quickly, without hesitation answered saying Behold, I am here, Lord. His ready availability for the Lord s service should encourage us to have the same attitude. While we may be ordinary in the eyes of some, the Lord has special service in store for us if we allow Him to use our gifts. Remember, Ananias was also an ordinary believer. He was not a church leader or an apostle, but God s choice for His special service. B. Ananias task (Acts 9:11-12). 1. (vs.11). This verse says And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth. As soon as Ananias acknowledged his willingness to hear the Lord, he

4 was given specific instructions for the task God was calling him to perform. We are told that the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. The message Jesus gave to Ananias was precise and to the point. He was to get up and go to the street which is called Straight. This street was probably named Straight because its path was straight whereas many of the other streets in Damascus were narrow and winding. On Straight street lived a man named Judas. It appears that Ananias must have known who Judas was and where he lived. Ananias was to go to his house and enquire or ask for someone called Saul of Tarsus. Although Saul was a Jew and a Pharisee, he was from Tarsus where he grew up. It was a major center of trade in the region of Cilicia in southeast Asia Minor or what is Turkey today (see Acts 21:39). The Lord then said to Ananias that at that very moment, behold, he (Saul) prayeth. This statement indicates that a complete change had taken place in Saul. It was undoubtedly given to encourage Ananias. This persecutor of the church had left Jerusalem headed for Damascus with a desire to apprehend followers of Jesus Christ and bring them back to Jerusalem. But His confrontation with Jesus on the road to Damascus had caused a tremendous change in him. The fact that Saul was praying revealed to Ananias that this former church persecutor was now a Christian disciple. Note: Saul must have spent much of the three days he was blind praying. But the prayers he offered in the home of Judas were not the usual prayers he uttered as a Pharisee before he was converted. Now his prayers were the response of a

5 broken spirit and a contrite heart (see Psalms 51:17). This man had been broken by the Holy Spirit of God. His stubborn will had been subdued. He was a saved man now and never again would he be the same. No one ever is who meets the Saviour! 2. (vs. 12). This verse goes on to say And (Saul) hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Not only did the Lord tell Ananias that he would find this Saul of Tarsus praying, He also indicated that Saul was expecting him when He said that Saul hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. In other words, a vision was given to Saul and he saw Ananias coming to him and placing his hands on him so that he might receive his sight. Remember, Saul had been blinded when he met Jesus (see Acts 9:8-9). Truly, God had arranged this meeting just as He always does (see Acts 8:26-35; 10:1-23). Ananias like many believers outside of Jerusalem, had heard about this persecutor of Jesus followers (see Acts 9:13) and he feared his coming to Damascus. Saul of Tarsus was probably the last person Ananias or any believer in Damascus wanted to see. C. Ananias reservations (Acts 9:13-14). 1. (vs. 13). This verse says Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how

6 much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. The fact that Ananias would find Saul praying should ve removed any fears that he had, but considering Saul s reputation, it s understandable that Ananias still had reservations about meeting him. Therefore, he said Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. In other words, Ananias was saying that he had heard, as many others had, how much Saul hated Christians, and there were many reports of the evils he had brought on the believers in Jerusalem. We know that these reports were not exaggerated because Saul himself verified the things he did later on (see Acts 22:4; 26:9-11; Galatians 1:13; I Timothy 1:13-15). Ananias referred to the followers or disciples of Jesus Christ as saints which identifies those who are set aside by faith for God s possession. Saints are not an elite class of spiritual people, but common Christians like Ananias. Note: The many reports Ananias had heard most likely came from the believers who had fled Saul s wrath. No doubt they testified of how much harm he had done to the Lord s saints in Jerusalem beginning with the stoning of Stephen to which Saul gave his approval (see Acts 7:58; 8:1). He then led an attack on Jerusalem Christians, imprisoning both men and women (see Acts 8:3). 2. (vs. 14). In this verse, Ananias continued to say to the Lord And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. This is evidence that Ananias knew of Saul s plans to come to Damascus. Already the word had spread that Saul hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on

7 thy (the Lord s) name. Saul was not satisfied with just exterminating Christ s followers in Jerusalem, he gained authority from the chief priests to bind and arrest believers in Christ so that they may be punished. Ananias told the Lord that not only had he heard about the evils Saul had committed in Jerusalem, he was also aware that the high priest, as presiding officer over the Sanhedrin Council was empowered by Rome to authorize Saul to go into Damascus to arrest all that call on thy name. Of course thy name refers to the name Jesus Christ whom Ananias was talking with in his vision. IV. THE COMMISSION OF SAUL (Acts 9:15-20) A. Saul s mission (Acts 9:15-16). 1. (vs. 15). This verse says But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. What Ananias had expressed to the Lord concerning Saul s wrath against believers was true, but still the Lord said unto him, Go thy way. Regardless of what Ananias thought about Saul, the Lord commanded him to Go thy way meaning he was to go and find Saul. Jesus then told Ananias why there was no need for him to have any reservations about going to Saul. The Lord said to Ananias for he is a chosen vessel unto

8 me. In His sovereignty and wisdom, God had shaped Saul for Himself even before he was born (see Galatians 1:15) as He does all of us (see Psalms 139:16; Isaiah 49:1). The term chosen vessel emphasized that the Lord had fashioned Saul like a potter fashions clay (see Jeremiah 18:2-6; II Corinthians 4:7), in order to perform a special work for Him. That work was threefold. First, the Lord declared that Saul was chosen to bear my name before the Gentiles. Although he was a Jew, bearing or carrying the name of Jesus to Gentiles or non-jews, was to be Saul s chief ministry (see Galatians 2:8-9; Ephesians 3:8), and he would soon take this calling very seriously (see Romans 11:13; 15:16; I Timothy 2:7). Second, Saul would also bear Jesus name to kings. During his ministry, Saul stood before rulers of different ranks including King Herod Agrippa II and probably Nero of Rome. However, he always addressed the rulers he spoke before with respect, but they could never intimidate him. Saul used every appearance before these rulers as an occasion to preach Jesus Christ. Third, Saul was chosen to carry the Lord s name to the children of Israel. Saul s normal practice when witnessing was to preach Jesus Christ to the Jews first wherever he was, and if they refused to listen, he would go to the Gentiles (see Acts 13:46; Romans 1:16). Although Saul would sometimes be critical of the Jews (see I Thessalonians 2:14-16), he still yearned for their salvation (see Romans 10:1). 2. (vs. 16). The Lord goes on to say in this verse For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name s sake. This great ministry that Saul was to have would have its costs. The Lord told Ananias that He

9 would show Saul how great things he must suffer for my name s sake. Jesus was saying that He would reveal to Saul the sufferings he would endure for His name. This former persecutor would come to know what it was like to be persecuted. Note: Although the Lord wouldn t reveal the nature of Saul s sufferings in advance, He would give hints of how severe his sufferings would be, so that when they happened Saul would not be surprised (see Acts 20:22-23; 21:11-13). This prophecy concerning Saul s future sufferings for Christ was abundantly fulfilled, as we learn from the Apostle Paul s own later reviews of his adversities (see I Corinthians 4:11-13; II Corinthians 11:23-28). B. Saul s preparation (Acts 9:17-18). 1. (vs. 17). This verse says And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. After being reassured that Saul was no threat to him, Ananias obeyed the Lord and went his way, and entered into the house. He proceeded to the home of Judas where Saul was waiting. Once Ananias found Saul, he put his hands on him (and) said, Brother Saul. This Pharisee who had persecuted Christians was no longer an enemy. Ananias addressed him as Brother. He was now accepted into the

10 Christian brotherhood. Saul came to Damascus to lay violent hands upon the disciples there, but instead, a disciple lays helping, healing hands on him. What a difference Jesus Christ makes in a life! After addressing Saul as Brother Saul, Ananias revealed that the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me. Ananias acknowledged that the same Lord, even Jesus who had appeared to Saul in the way, or on the road to Damascus, also had sent him to meet with Saul. Ananias had been sent for a twofold purpose. First, he was sent so that Saul mightiest (could) receive thy (his) sight, and second, so that he could be filled with the Holy Ghost. Some scholars identify the filling of the Holy Spirit here with the initial giving of the Spirit. In Acts, this sometimes happened soon after a person s conversion (see Acts 8:12, 14-17). However, since the end of the era of the Book of Acts, all believers have received the Holy Spirit at the very moment of conversion (see Romans 8:9). Being filled with the Spirit seems to be a special work of empowering by the Spirit that can be repeated (see Acts 4:8, 31; Ephesians 5:18). Therefore, although we can t be sure, it s quite possible that Saul received the Spirit at his conversion on the Damascus Road and was now being filled with the Holy Ghost or empowered by the Holy Spirit for his apostolic service. Note: In Saul s case, it was important that the Holy Spirit was bestowed on him for his service as an apostle through the ministry of an ordinary saint rather than an apostle. The time would come when Paul would have to defend his independent apostolic authority (see Galatians 1:11-24). If he had received the Holy Spirit at the hands of an apostle (see

11 Acts 8:14-23; 19:1-7), it could have been argued that apostolic authority had been delegated to him instead of authorized by Jesus Himself. This is the only instance in the Bible of the Holy Spirit being imparted through an ordinary believer. Notice also, that Saul received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized. Although there is no mention of a special filling of the Holy Spirit for Saul, his changed life and subsequent accomplishments bear strong witness to the Holy Spirit s presence in his life. Evidently, Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit for his mission when he received his sight. 2. (vs. 18). This verse continues to say And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. As he spoke to Saul, Ananias placed his hands on him and immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Something that looked like scales fell from Saul s eyes and he received sight forthwith meaning he was able to see immediately. Years later, when Saul recounted this incident, he said The same hour I looked up upon him (Ananias) (see Acts 22:13). Saul also arose, and was baptized which was a visible confirmation of his new relationship with Jesus Christ. Water baptism is simply a sign that we are now identified with Christ in his death, burial and resurrection (see Romans 6:3-4) as well as an act of obedience to the Lord (see Matthew 3:13-15; 28:19).

12 C. Saul s transformation (Acts 9:19-20). 1. (vs. 19). This verse says And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. After Saul was baptized, he had received meat meaning that he was given food which strengthened him since he had gone without food for three days (see Acts 9:9). After refreshing himself with food, Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. The converted Saul also received another kind of strength as he spent time with the disciples or other followers of Jesus Christ who were in Damascus. Note: We can only guess at the kind of interaction that took place. His testimony must have caused the other believers to marvel, and their faith was undoubtedly strengthened as well. As for Saul, he now learned the richness of fellowship with those he had once hated. 2. (vs. 20). Our final verse says And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Once he was strengthened with food and by the fellowship with other followers of Christ, Saul wasted no time displaying his amazing transformation by immediately preaching Christ s deity. We are told that straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Saul was so excited about having met Jesus and his changed life that he headed for the

13 local synagogues and began preaching that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ and the Son of God. Now he preached for the One he once opposed. As a Pharisee, he had already mastered the content of the Old Testament. Now, guided by the Holy Spirit, he was able to show how Jesus was the fulfillment of its teaching. Saul still had much to learn, but he was sure of one thing, that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. Just like all of us who are saved, Saul had once been blind; now he could see. V. Conclusion. Ananias obeyed the Lord and saw the great blessing that resulted: the church persecutor Saul had been converted and was now a chosen vessel for the Lord. Saul, or Paul as he would later become known (see Acts 13: 9-13) had unique gifts and experiences that made him an effective missionary for Christ. But our text reminds us that Paul, like us, was merely a vessel. A vessel by itself doesn t have much value. Only when it is filled does it serve its purpose. Like this great apostle, we must submit to the Lord and allow Him to fill us with the power, wisdom, and ability to serve Him. It might be that like Ananias, God will call one of us to witness to a certain person. It may be that little or much will come out of it. But what really matters is that we hear and respond to God s call. The actual spiritual results and the glory for those results are His work, not ours.

14 ***The Bible Expositor and Illuminator, Union Gospel Press***