The Conversion

There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Here I am Lord!" He said. "Get up and go to the street called Straight," the Lord said to him, "to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming and placing his hands on him so he can regain his sight."
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name."
But the Lord said to him, "Go! For this man is my chosen instrument to take my name to the Gentiles, Kings, and the Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!"
So Ananias left and entered the house, then he placed his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were travelling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptised. After taking some food he regained his strength. Saul was with the disciples in Damascus some days. Acts 9:10-19

Ananias was not know to us before now but he must have had some standing in Damascus and the believers there. Perhaps he had been one of those who fled from Jerusalem as there were some believers there. For Saul to stay on with these believers they would have had some level of knowledge and understanding of Jesus and the new Way.

Previously we saw Philip in Samaria. Philip led people to Christ but the apostles baptised them in the Holy Spirit. Here we see Saul baptised in the Holy Spirit at the outset and later baptised in water.

Ananias stood his ground and dared to challenge the Lord's directive, he knew about Saul and his reputation. The Lord did not rebuke this challenge but worked with it, as Ananias needed to trust and he trusted the Lord's explanation.

I love it that God took a man who had intended harm, like Saul, to carry His message to the further most parts of Asia, Greece, and Rome. God had a plan for this fiery young convert who was passionate about the truth.

So here we see two men, the firm believer who is willing to forgive and welcome the tyrant, the repentant tyrant who God apprehends. God is interesting in the choices He makes, definitely not what we would choose but definitely more effective. Amen!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Who Rules?

The princes of Judah are like those who move boundary markers, I will pout out my fury on them like water. Hosea 5:10 World leaders of church and state are now all highly visible. When they are not open to consultation or do not listen they make judgements that are judged as foolish by both God and man. In Australia we just celebrated Australia Day and at this time various people are honoured for their contribution to society. Our Prime Minister, Mr Abbott, without consultation, conferred a knighthood on the Queen of England's husband, Phillip. Almost to a person, Australians judged this to be foolish. Even supporters have now distanced themselves. Imagine what it is like when church leaders follow their own emotions or the emotions of their people and change what is acceptable to God. For example, no longer considering adultery something that precludes a man from ministry. We might think we are clever, but actually going with a sinful flow. Where is God in all this? My emotions ar...
Read more

Know Your Sword!

So he took Him to Jerusalem, had Him stand on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, "if you are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: 'He will give His angels orders concerning You, to protect you, they will support You with their hands, so that you will not strike Your foot against a stone.' And Jesus answered him, "it is said: 'do not test The Lord your God." And the Devil had finished every temptation, he departed from Him for a time. Luke 4:9-11 In this third test Satan quoted scripture but Jesus knew His scripture and was not going to be deceived by his enemy twisting the truth. I am amazed at what Satan tempted Jesus with. He did not know Christ. He had succeeded in tempting the first Adam yet he was thwarted in this attempt. Jesus had lived 30 years and been tutored in godliness with contentment, he was prepared, baptised in the Spirit and sold out to the Father's purpose. Every time our enemy comes against us we ...
Read more

Little Things Grow

The boy's mother said to Elisha, "as The Lord lives and you yourself live, I will not leave you. So he got up and followed her. 2 Kings 4:30 The Shunamite woman had travelled to Mt Carmel to find Elisha after the death of her son. Although Elisha had sent his servant Gehazi to the boy with his staff the woman had come to find Elisha and was not leaving without him. I like this lady's spirit. I am sure The Lord God Almighty also valued her heart. She had a heart for God and made room for Him in her world. Now, having lost her son she knew what to do: find Elisha and not let him go until he came to restore her son. What made the Shunamite woman believe that Elisha could raise her son? Was it the same faith that made her provide him a place to stay in her home? I believe it was God working in her life. I am grateful for her faith, I can read and be encouraged. We do not know her name yet her story lives in scripture. What a little thing it was to feed Elisha and then provide ...
Read more