By Stephen Lewin soon to be shared on the Voice In The City Blog
Ananias – Acts 9 vs 1 to 20
SAUL HAS A PLAN
In the book of Acts chapter 9 we read about a vision from the Lord. The context for this vision , is when Saul (who became later known as Paul in Acts chapter 13 .KJV), has a plan and travelled to Damascus with authority from the High Priest to arrest disciples of the Lord , and” bring them bound unto Jerusalem “ (Acts 9 :1-2 KJV).
THE LORD HAS A PLAN
This was a religious plan , but not from the Lord.
As Saul journeys to Damascus, “suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven” (Acts 9 : 4 b KJV) , and Saul falls to the ground and hears a voice calling his name ; Saul , Saul .
Saul responds and asks who is speaking , and the voice speaking is the Lord Jesus , who identifies Himself (Acts 9 : 5 KJV) .
Saul asks The Lord what does He want him to do. He is told by the Lord to go to the city and will be told what he must do. Saul then led by the hands of others, spends 3 days without sight, fasting, and prays (Acts 9 : 6-11 KJV).
ANANIAS RECEIVES A VISION FROM THE LORD
Then, a disciple called Ananias, receives a vision from the Lord. The Lord speaks to Ananias by name and dialogues with him giving instructions to go to a specific street and house and person . The Lord even mentions that Saul is also having a vision of Ananias coming “and putting his hand on him that he may receive his sight” (Acts 9 :11, 12 KJV) . Ananias answers the Lord, that he knows that Saul has come with” authority….. to bind all that call on “ (Acts 9:14 KJV) the name of Jesus.
The Lord commands Ananias that he is go to Saul , “for he is a chosen vessel” (Acts 9:15 KJV) to share the good news of the Gospel to the world.
OBEDIENCE TO THE VISION FROM THE LORD
Ananias is obedient to this vision , with its command from the Lord, even though Ananias voiced to the Lord ;that Saul had done evil to the saints at Jerusalem. (Acts 9:13KJV).
Ananias goes to Saul , lays hands on him, and Saul receives his sight, and even prays for him to be filled with the spirit and be baptised in water. Then Saul stays with the disciples who accept him as a brother(as also Ananias did), then he commences preaching Christ is the Son of God in the synagogues in Damascus (Acts 9 :17-20 KJV). What a turnaround that happened here at Damascus!
Saul changing from coming to bind disciples, to receiving from a disciple, and then becoming a follower of Christ ,the one he was persecuting. This turnaround was enabled by the vision that Ananias received from the Lord, and his obedience to the command of Jesus , which overcame his prejudice to accept Saul, and the call of God on his life. The Lord can turnaround lives today.
Today , the Lord can and does give visions (direction and revelation)(Acts 2:17 KJV) that can cause us to override our natural understanding, so that we do not miss partnering with what the Lord wants done in and through people that we meet, and be a part of seeing their lives turnaround.
Let us remember, everyone is a person for whom Christ died.
Blessings,
Stephen Lewin
References: KJV King James Version
