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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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SAUL, THE LORD’S
CHOSEN INTRUMENT (Ac 9:10-21) 5/11/14 Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. ANANIAS IS CALLED TO HEAL PAUL (10-12) A. [10] There was a disciple in Damascus
named Ananias. This obviously was not the Ananias who was
married to Sapphira, and who dropped dead at the pronouncement of Peter for
lying to the Holy Spirit (Ac 5:1-5). Nor was this
the high priest that Paul would stand before in Ac 23:1-2). All we
really know about this Ananias, the Jewish Christian disciple, comes from Ac
9:10-17 and Ac 22:12. In the latter passage, it states that he was, “a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and
well spoken of by all the Jews who live [in
Damascus].” Tradition suggests that he may have
been one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus (cf. Lk 10:1) and that he
died a martyr’s death (Foxes Book of Martyrs, Ch. 2). B. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision. A
“vision” (horama) was a means of divine revelation that
God supernaturally communicated to a person while awake (as opposed to divine
dreams). They are not to be understood as mere
physiological phenomenon. The frequency of visions in Acts was minimal and
they appear to be intended exclusively for the apostles (Ac 9:10, 12; 10:3, 17; 16:9-10; 18:9;
Ananias’ vision was instruction for Paul). C. What must be appreciated
about Ananias, as well as many early Christians, was their immediate
obedience to the Lord. Ananias responded in similar manner to the prophet
Isaiah, “here am I Lord” (cf. Is 6:8). D. [11] Ananias was to go to a particular
house on Straight St and look for Saul. Perhaps to begin to ease Ananias’
reluctance, the Lord revealed that Saul was praying. E. [12] The Lord
revealed that Saul himself had been given a divine vision (first of three in
Acts) concerning Ananias. It would be Ananias who would lay hands on
him that he might regain his sight. II. ANANIAS’ INITIAL RESPONSE (13-14) A. [13] As obedient as Ananias was, he was
somewhat reluctant, similar to Jonah, to go to minister Saul. The reputation
of Saul had certainly preceded him among the early Christians. For he had done much harm to the saints. The word “harm”
is the Greek word kakos which in essence means something bad or evil. The
evil that Saul did was morally bad as well as consequentially bad for the
saints. B. It is recorded
that Ananias is the first to call Christians by the title of “saints.”
Ananias applied this title to living saints, not deceased ones. Literally the title “saints” (hagios - holy or
separated unto a holy God) refers to the believer’s position as righteous
and holy through Christ’s atonement, not canonization by miracles performed
in their name. C. [14] Ananias was fully aware that Saul had
obtained authority to persecute believers “here” (i.e. Damascus). The
disciples in Damascus knew about Saul’s reputation and intent. D. Ananias references another term for
believers as those “who call on the name of the Lord” (1Co 1:2; Ro 10:13).
The idea of “calling” refers to the OT concept of humble and helpless faith
that realizes only the Lord can save (Joel 2:32). But
Ananias makes another an amazing connection in saying “Your” name. He was
referring to the Lord Jesus Christ. We were already told
“there is no other name (Jesus) under heaven that has been given among men by
which we must be saved.” (Ac 4:10-12). Furthermore, the context makes it
clear that it was, in fact, Jesus who spoke to Ananias (Ac 9:17). Such
ascriptions to Jesus clearly refer to His deity. III. SAUL IS A CHOSEN INTRUMENT (15-16) A. [15] Certainly, Ananias’ reluctance was
understandable. But he was about to understand that not only was the Lord
omnisciently aware of Saul’s previous exploits, but that the Lord had saved
and called Saul. The Lord declared that Saul was a “chosen instrument” for
Him. Paul was specifically “chosen” (eklogā
- [divne] selection), and chosen for a specific
divine “purpose” (skeuos - a vessel or
instrument for a specific purpose, LXX Ex 40:10; 2Ti 2:21). B. For what purpose was
Saul chosen? To give testimony to the name of Christ
specifically to the Gentiles. Also mentioned are kings (Ac
25:23-26:32) and the sons of Israel (Ac 9:20; 13:15; 17:10; 18:4; 19:8). He
would indeed bear witness before these groups, but he would primarily be the
apostle to the Gentiles (Ac 9:15; Ro 1:5; Ga 1:16; 2:8-9; Ep 3:1, 6-10 cf. Ac
15:12; 17:17; 18:6; 21:19, 22). C. [16] But Saul was also
chosen instrument for another purpose, even as the other apostles. That
purpose was to suffer for the name of Jesus. Yet Saul’s suffering appears
emphatic in regard to “how much” he will suffer (2Co
11:23-25). In addition, the Lord Himself would show Saul how much he will suffer. IV. SAUL RECEIVES HIS SIGHT AND FILLING OF THE
HOLY SPIRIT (17-19) A. [17] Ananias obeyed and found the house in
which contained Saul. After laying hands on him, Ananias became the first
recorded believer to acknowledge Saul as a “brother” in the Lord. B. It would have been assuring to Saul when
Ananias stated that the Lord Jesus, who appeared to him on the road, had sent
Ananais. Ananias’ purpose was twofold, namely to
restore Saul’s sight and for Saul to be filled with the Holy Spirit. C. We have seen the laying on of hands as an
authoritative commissioning (Ac 6:6) and for the reception of the Holy Spirit
(Ac 8:17). Here the laying on of hands was for healing and for the filling of
the Spirit. D. The “filling” of the Holy Spirit is not to
be taken as the same as “receiving” the Holy Spirit as in Ac 8:17. Saul’s
conversion and reception of the Holy Spirit took place on the road to
Damascus. This filling of the Spirit was representative of yieldedness to the Spirit. In addition, for an apostle,
it is representative of the unique empowerment for apostolic service (cf. Ac
2:4, 14; 4:8, 31; 6:5, 8; 13:9). E. [18] As a result, “something like scales” (lepis - scaly substance) fell from Saul’s
eyes. Though a doctor, Luke appears to describe it from Saul’s experience,
which occasioned the
return of Saul’s eyesight. F. Identifying not only with the Christians
he persecuted, but especially with Christ, Saul was
baptized. Baptism continued to be the identifying symbol of Christianity (Ac
2:38, 41; 8:12, 38). G. [19] In similar fashion as Elijah, Saul
ate food and regained his strength. He remained with the disciples at
Damascus for several days. Most likely Ananias was among those disciples, but
nothing more is mentioned about him. V. SAUL IMMEDIATELY PROCLAIM’S JESUS (20-21) A. [20] The genuineness of Saul’s conversion
continued to be confirmed by the fact that he immediately began to
proclaim Jesus Christ in the synagogues. It was summed up
in proclaiming Him as the “Son of God.” B. [21] Those who heard him were especially
amazed because Saul, who was an enemy of the church, now became a spokesman for it. This is amazing because Saul was said to
have tried to “destroy” (perthō -
attack, devastate, or ravage) the church. So
Saul’s initial intent was to bind all those who called on the name of Jesus. But now Saul himself was one of those who called on the
name of the Lord. VI. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. Observation on Saul’s new spiritual life 1. He came to Christ. 2. He became a chosen instrument for Christ
(Ac 9:15). 3. He responded immediately to God’s
revelation (Ac 9:6, 8). 4. He realized his spiritual blindness (Ac
9:8, 18). 5. He was immediately engaged in prayer (Ac
9:11). 6. He became gracious and fellowshipped with
God’s people (Ac 9:19b). 7. He became fearless in his new convictions
(Ac 9:19bff). 8. He became fearless in sharing Christ (Ac
9:20) 9. He became fearless in living for Christ
(Ac 9:22-25). B. These are the qualities for all believers
(including mothers) to emulate. C. These are the qualities believers
(including mothers) to instill in their children. |
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