Ananias' Vision About Saul

Illustration of Ananias' Vision About Saul
God told Ananias to go lay hands on Saul of Tarsus. Ananias protested - this man is killing Christians. God replied: He is my chosen instrument. Ananias obeyed, and the greatest apostle received his sight.

In the Book of Acts, following Saul's dramatic encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus, which left him blind, the Lord appears in a vision to a disciple named Ananias instructing him to visit Saul at the house of Judas and restore his sight by laying hands on him. Ananias expresses reluctance due to Saul's reputation as a fierce persecutor of the early Christian church, but God reveals that Saul is a chosen instrument destined to proclaim the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. This divine intervention highlights God's sovereign grace in transforming an enemy of the faith into the apostle Paul, whose missionary journeys would profoundly shape the spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire.

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Details

Category
Early Church
Dreamer
Ananias
Interpretation
God's choice of instruments defies human logic. The greatest persecutor becomes the greatest apostle.

Key Chapters

Acts 9 The Conversion of Saul 6 min read This passage shows God's surprising grace reaching even hardened hearts, transfo...

Key Passages

The Vision

Acts 9:10-16

This passage shows God's surprising grace reaching even hardened hearts, transforming opponents into chosen servants for His redemptive purposes.

A10nd 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.

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. 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. 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 nameโ€™s sake.

Explore Related

Characters 2

Paul Paul, originally known as Saul of Tarsus, was a zealous Pharisee who actively persecuted early Christiansโ€ฆ Ananias (of Damascus) Ananias was a disciple living in Damascus who received a vision from the Lord directing him to visit Saulโ€ฆ

Themes 4

Holy Spirit From hovering over creation to filling the upper room at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit is God's personalโ€ฆ The Church The church is not a building - it is a living body, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. From twelveโ€ฆ Faith Without faith it is impossible to please God. From Abraham leaving everything for an unknown land to aโ€ฆ Salvation From Noah's ark to the blood of the Lamb, salvation is the central drama of Scripture - God reaching intoโ€ฆ

Did You Know?

1

Ananias protested God's instructions because Saul had been arresting Christians.

2

God called Saul a 'chosen vessel' - the persecutor would become the greatest missionary.

3

Ananias laid hands on Saul and called him 'Brother Saul' - radical forgiveness.