Story of Saul, Part Two

The Story of Ananias. 

Last time we talked about Stephen. A Man, full of Faith and the Holy Spirit, that was Walking Worthy. He became an appointed leader of the Early Church and was killed by the Jews for Preaching the Gospel. Perhaps, one of the most important acts Stephen ever did, was what he said at the point of his death.

Acts 7:

59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Now there, watching the whole thing, and consenting to it, and even taking joy in it, was a man named Saul.

Acts 8:

1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.

3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Saul is not a nice guy. He is, in essence, equal to Hitler. His entire reason to exist is to hunt down God's Chosen people. He would bring them into bondage, throw them in jail, and even murder them. He received great power and position by his Government for doing so and he was greatly respected and feared by men.

Acts 9:

1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Now this is what they called, living the Gospel, at this time. They called it "The Way." Remember, Jesus said "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." {John 14:6} If you were a believing Jew, well, you were a Jew. It didn't matter that you accepted the Truth of The Christ. You are still a Jew. Believer in "The Way." The Term Christian would first be used in Antioch following Saul's conversion.

So Saul goes to the High Priest, yes, Saul is a Religious man, just like Hitler was, and asks permission to hunt down any of "The Way" in Damascus. He is granted the permission to do exactly that. So he heads out.

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord?

Stop.... Now again, Saul is a Religious man. He most likely actually believed the lies. He most likely TRULY believed that people like Stephen, and anyone else that is following the teachings of this Jesus that was Crucified , are committing blasphemies, and is attempting to corrupt the Law of Moses. So when he saw the light, and heard the voice, he knew it was God. So he asked, "Who art thou, Lord?"

And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

Imagine this for a second. Here is Saul, on his way to do terrible things in the name of God, to those that follow this Jesus, and here is God talking to him, identifying Himself, as Jesus. Talk about a moment of clarity. A moment of recognition.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

Here is something else to consider. He believed the voice. He accepted that it was indeed Jesus. He realized he was wrong the whole time. He was also not alone. He had a brigade of men with him, to assist him in his mission. Of course one man could not do all that he did. So these men also heard and saw the same Saul did.

7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

Jesus tells him He is Lord. Saul accepts it. In essence, Jesus looked into Saul's eyes as He did with Peter, John, Matthew, ETC, and said "Follow me." Now at this point, Saul could have said "No." He could have disbelieved that it was the voice of Jesus. He could have continued on with his mission. But he didn't do that. He went. He in essence said "Yes."

After arriving in Damascus, and fasted for three days. Now it does not say why. It does not say he did so as a form or repentance. But one could draw that conclusion. While he was fasting, and blind, he saw a vision. He saw a man named Ananias coming to him and laying his hands on him to restore his sight. Meanwhile...

10 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.

Stop for a second. How is your Faith? Are you faithful enough to be sure that if the Lord was to speak to you this very second, you could say "I am here." Are you this close to God? Ananias was.

11 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,

12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

"Behold he prayeth." What? What do you think God meant here when He said Saul prayed. Again, it does not specifically say. But lets put this all together. Saul, in the middle of his Sin, is visited by Jesus. Jesus says "Follow Me." and Saul says "Yes." Now Saul is fasting, most likely as repentance for all the Sins he has committed against God and Jesus. So he prayed the Prayer of Salvation. Does it say he prayed for healing? Nope. He saw, in a vision, a man coming. God showed him Ananias coming. But Ananias was not so sure about all this.

13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

Now really think about this. Here is a faithful and just man. God speaks to him directly. What must he have been thinking? "You want me to build a boat? I got a lot of wood out back. You want me to go and preach the Word. I'm ready. You want me to clime a mountain, part a sea, whatever. I'm ready." God says "Go heal Saul." "WHOA!!!!! What? Sorry God. What did you just say?" "Go heal Saul." "WAIT!!!! If you were not God, I would be asking you if you have lost your mind. You want me to go do what? God. Do you not know this guy is evil? Do you not know the evil he has done. All that aside, do you not know he has the authority granted to him by the High Priests themselves to throw me in jail. To kill me even? You want me to go HEAL him? Good for him he is blind. You want ME to go heal him?"

15 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:

16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.So being a faithful man of God, Ananias went..

17 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.

18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

So here is Saul. The evil man. Enemy of Jesus, and one who in essence, was equal to Hitler. He was now a new creature. A man who would become known as Paul. But it was not an easy transition for some. It was not easy for some to accept that this evil man was now a Child of God.

19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.

27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Now next time, we will continue with The Story of Peter. How God showed him how NOTHING God has cleansed, should no longer be called common. God shows this to Peter and Peter Preaches the Word to Gentiles for the first time, leading to a meeting between Peter and Saul, now called Paul.

Do you know Jesus as your Savior? Have you been adopted into the Family of God? If not, say this Prayer. Right now. Wherever you may be. Say it in your own words, and do not doubt in your heart. God will hear you. He will send the Spirit of Life to you. Let us Pray..

"Oh heavenly Father, Lord God. I am a sinner. I know this. I know there is nothing I can do to change that. But I know you can. I accept Jesus's sacrifice for me. I repent my sins. Please send the Spirit of Adoption into my life. Help me to get to know the real you. Save me. Please. In the name of Jesus, Amen!"

That's it. It really is that simple. Now go tell someone what you have just done. "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." {Romans 10:9} You need to find a Church that God leads you to, and be Baptized the way Jesus said to be. You are now a Child of God. A new Creature. You "have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him." {Colossians 3:10}

If you want to tell me, or comment, question, give testimonials, or just say "Hi," the Email is opntalk@gmail.com

Until next time, be blessed, be a blessing, and Jesus IS Lord of all!