Ananias
Immediately upon salvation Paul asked, “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” (Acts 9:6) Every child of God should desire to obey and please his Heavenly Father. Jesus gave him instructions to go to Damascus where received further directions. While God was working in the life of Paul, He was also working in the life of Ananias. (Act 9:10-12) God has the sovereign ability to work with all people, everywhere, and at the same time for His honor and glory. God told Ananias to go to Paul. God told him where he could find Paul; furthermore, he revealed Paul’s prayer. While God communicated with Ananias, He also conversed with Paul. God can carry on a conversation with every person in the world at the same time. When someone leads the church in prayer
…show more content…
every other member should silently talk to God. At first, apprehension filled Ananias’ mind at the prospect of visiting Paul. (Acts 9:13, 14) This is certainly understandable given Paul’s record. This does not reveal any disobedience on Ananias’ behalf. It appears that he just wanted to further inquire about the situation with God. It is never right to disobey God. It is okay to ask God for further comfort and instruction if you are not trying to disobey or delay.
The Lord proceeded to give Ananias a little more insight to His plan. (Acts 9:15, 16) God gave Ananias a glimpse of His sovereign plan. Prayer gives us the strength to face any situation. The Lord strengthened Ananias to visit a great persecutor of the Lord’s churches. Acts 9 and 26 reveal Paul’s salvation. Ananias understood this fact because when he visited Paul he called him “brother.” The name brother indicated that Paul and Ananias belonged to the same family. They were brothers in the family of God. God’s plans for Paul soon became clearer. God took this man and used him to do great things. God’s plan included Ananias. God’s plan includes your life. (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11) God wants to use every child of God to bring Him honor and glory.
The Bible reveals Ananias’ faithfulness to God’s commands.
(Acts 9:17, 18) The precious words or Ananias surely soothed Paul. Our words contain great power. They contain power to comfort and the power to tear down. Paul persecuted so many believers. Now, one comes to him to help in his time of need. Paul learned a great lesson from Ananias’ actions about love and forgiveness. Anybody can say, “I love you.” But the proof is in his actions. Consider some of the ways you can show love to this lost and dying world.
Ananias revealed that he not only knew the location of Paul, but that he knew about his conversion experience. Once again, God is reassuring Paul’s faith. Ananias had come not only to comfort, but also to teach Paul. Paul needed to “be filled with the Holy Ghost.” When a person accepts Christ as his Savior the Holy Spirit fills that individual. (Ephesians 1:13) At the moment of salvation, a child of God receives all the Spirit he is ever going to have. Being “filled” with the Spirit means to be led or controlled by the Spirit. Just because a person is saved doesn’t mean they allow Christ to control their life. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16) Ananias helped in Paul’s training.
Restoration came to Paul’s physical sight. He may have, however, had eyesight complications the rest of his life. At least, however, he could see. After he received his eyesight, Paul proceeded to follow the Lord in scriptural
baptism.
every other member should silently talk to God. At first, apprehension filled Ananias’ mind at the prospect of visiting Paul. (Acts 9:13, 14) This is certainly understandable given Paul’s record. This does not reveal any disobedience on Ananias’ behalf. It appears that he just wanted to further inquire about the situation with God. It is never right to disobey God. It is okay to ask God for further comfort and instruction if you are not trying to disobey or delay.
The Lord proceeded to give Ananias a little more insight to His plan. (Acts 9:15, 16) God gave Ananias a glimpse of His sovereign plan. Prayer gives us the strength to face any situation. The Lord strengthened Ananias to visit a great persecutor of the Lord’s churches. Acts 9 and 26 reveal Paul’s salvation. Ananias understood this fact because when he visited Paul he called him “brother.” The name brother indicated that Paul and Ananias belonged to the same family. They were brothers in the family of God. God’s plans for Paul soon became clearer. God took this man and used him to do great things. God’s plan included Ananias. God’s plan includes your life. (Romans 8:28; Jeremiah 29:11) God wants to use every child of God to bring Him honor and glory.
The Bible reveals Ananias’ faithfulness to God’s commands.
(Acts 9:17, 18) The precious words or Ananias surely soothed Paul. Our words contain great power. They contain power to comfort and the power to tear down. Paul persecuted so many believers. Now, one comes to him to help in his time of need. Paul learned a great lesson from Ananias’ actions about love and forgiveness. Anybody can say, “I love you.” But the proof is in his actions. Consider some of the ways you can show love to this lost and dying world.
Ananias revealed that he not only knew the location of Paul, but that he knew about his conversion experience. Once again, God is reassuring Paul’s faith. Ananias had come not only to comfort, but also to teach Paul. Paul needed to “be filled with the Holy Ghost.” When a person accepts Christ as his Savior the Holy Spirit fills that individual. (Ephesians 1:13) At the moment of salvation, a child of God receives all the Spirit he is ever going to have. Being “filled” with the Spirit means to be led or controlled by the Spirit. Just because a person is saved doesn’t mean they allow Christ to control their life. (Ephesians 5:18; Galatians 5:16) Ananias helped in Paul’s training.
Restoration came to Paul’s physical sight. He may have, however, had eyesight complications the rest of his life. At least, however, he could see. After he received his eyesight, Paul proceeded to follow the Lord in scriptural
baptism.