why was ananias afraid of helping saul why was ananias afraid of helping saul

Those who call upon your name echoes 2:21 (Joel 2:32) and recurs in 22:16 in a command to Paul himself to be baptized . He sent me so that you can How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move 2, called him Ananias ben Nebedeus. He also warned those who would corrupt grace, to make it a pretext for sin (cf. Imagine for a moment that this is the week of Sauls arrival at Damascus.129 By this time Saul has gained a reputation as the ringleader of the movement to make Christianity extinct. And they will reign for ever and ever (Revelation 22:5). Jesus did not address the entire group but said, Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? The others knew that something unusual was going on, but they did not grasp it (Acts 22:9). Now they grope through the streets like men who are blind. Blaiklock, for example (pp. 3 He said: Son of man, I am sending you to the Israelites, to a rebellious nation that has rebelled against me; they and their fathers have been in revolt against me to this very day. a disciple from Damascus who received a phophetic dream telling him He stayed some days with the disciples in Damascus, God changed him from being a man who did not believe Jesus was the Son of God and a persecutor of the Christians into a bold missionary who preached the Gospel wherever he went. Jesus was alive and not still in the grave! Paul experienced many hardships in his travels, and he was frequently thrown into jail for preaching about Jesus. Jesus dealt with Nicodemus (John 3) very differently from the Samaritan woman (John 4). I am not at all sure how this can be determined from the text. (2) While there is considerable emphasis on the conversion of Saul, there is very little detail given as to the precise time or the details of Sauls conversion. sOGOSapQ3[y~@9W WebAnanias was afraid of Saul. FOR WHO HAS KNOWN THE MIND OF THE LORD, OR WHO BECAME HIS COUNSELOR? 11The Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul. Saul was knocked to the ground and confronted with the reality that hed been working against God rather than helping God. ,/1Xa} V= endstream endobj 133 0 obj 634 endobj 94 0 obj << /Type /Page /Parent 88 0 R /Resources 95 0 R /Contents [ 98 0 R 100 0 R 102 0 R 104 0 R 122 0 R 124 0 R 126 0 R 129 0 R ] /MediaBox [ 0 0 792 612 ] /CropBox [ 0 0 792 612 ] /Rotate 0 >> endobj 95 0 obj << /ProcSet [ /PDF /Text /ImageB ] /Font << /F1 109 0 R /F3 106 0 R /F4 107 0 R /F6 118 0 R /F7 116 0 R >> /XObject << /Im1 127 0 R >> /ExtGState << /GS1 131 0 R /GS2 130 0 R >> /ColorSpace << /Cs5 96 0 R >> >> endobj 96 0 obj [ /CalRGB << /WhitePoint [ 0.9505 1 1.089 ] /Gamma [ 2.22221 2.22221 2.22221 ] /Matrix [ 0.4124 0.2126 0.0193 0.3576 0.71519 0.1192 0.1805 0.0722 0.9505 ] >> ] endobj 97 0 obj 1512 endobj 98 0 obj << /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 97 0 R >> stream (You know, just in case God has forgotten something) And yet, even in opposing God, he furthered Gods purposes; he was instrumental in the evangelization of the Gentiles (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21). Saul was the bad guy. Nothing is more evident in the account of Sauls conversion than his radical reversal. For just as you once were disobedient to God but now have been shown mercy because of their disobedience, so these also now have been disobedient, in order that because of the mercy shown to you they also may now be shown mercy. He was to come to the earth as the great light, the light to the Gentiles, and so He did. 9:31). It does not store any personal data. Everyone is born in sin, and every part of their being is affected by sin (intellect, emotions, and will). What happened to Straight Street since then? Who is blind but my servant {Israel}, and deaf like the messenger I send? . How was Saul converted to Christianity? NKJV, The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Chronological Study Bible, Comfort Print: Holy Bible, New King James Version, NKJV, Spirit-Filled Life Bible, Third Edition, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Kingdom Equipping Through the Power of the Word. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it (Revelation 21:23-24). It is some 150 miles Northeast from Jerusalem and watered by the river Abana from Anti-Lebanon. The expansion is three-fold: (1) The expansion from Christ, to His apostles, to His church, (2) The geographical expansion from Jerusalem to Rome. But join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, 9 who has saved us and called us to a holy lifenot because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. Just as Saul seemingly had hatred toward Christ-followers, how do you think a Christ-follower like Ananias felt toward Saul? Do not gloat over me, my enemy! He should not become uncircumcised. Gods promises and purposes would not be stopped by this madman, Saul. We know that the salvation of men rests ultimately with God and not with usand not even with the one whom we wish to see saved. It is difficult to estimate the amount of resistance Ananias would have had to this divine instruction to receive Saul as a brother in the Lord. l. [9:14] 9:12; 26:10; 1Cor 1:2; 2Tm 2:22. But the gospel is good news for sinners. . A devout Hellenistic Jew, of the tribe of Benjamin, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, Saul was a member of the Pharisees and was taught by none other than Gamaliel, whom we have already met (Acts 5:34-40). There is no story in Acts more important than Saul/Pauls call, his encounter with the risen Christ. There is surely a connection between Saul and persecution, and Saul and peace. Fourth, if we had all the facts, there would be no problem. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; and thus all Israel will be saved; just as it is written, THE DELIVERER WILL COME FROM ZION, HE WILL REMOVE UNGODLINESS FROM JACOB. AND THIS IS MY COVENANT WITH THEM, WHEN I TAKE AWAY THEIR SINS.. Damascus was an important town, about 150 miles (242 km) from Jerusalem, with a considerable Jewish population. He wraps himself in light as with a garment; he stretches out the heavens like a tent (Psalm 104:2). Nevertheless, Ananias obeyed. also Isaiah 64:6). 15But the Lord said to him, Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites,m There are two very important implications to the personal dimension of Sauls conversion. 11:2328; 12:710; Gal. And notice one more detail about the way in which Ananias did this. Jesus was LORD and not a false prophet! God then used this man to further His purposes in launching the career of the most influential of the apostles. I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness (John 12:46). How many times should a shock absorber bounce? Yet I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day (2 Timothy 1:8-12). Handed down. The first is this: every saved person must have a personal conversion experience. The men who traveled with Saul were frightened and confused. How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in 1 What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? They could hear the voice but they did not see anyone who was speaking. Ananias not only with his wife Sapphira, sold some property and agreed to hold back At this point, the conversion of the hero of the Gentile mission is recounted. Shape us into children who rejoice in knowing and proclaiming you to the world. Saul proclaimed Jesus to be the Son of God (9:20), a designation understood to refer to Israels awaited Messiah.149. He who had wanted to kill these saints now wanted to fellowship with them. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. 2023 United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. The conversion of Saul is important in another way. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company {photo-lithoprinted}, 1966), p. 90. Enough revelation for the moment. This would leave AD 33-46 for the visit to Arabia (Gal. What happened to Straight Street since then? In the place of Ananias we would fear that it might not work out, and the consequences could be very serious. The couple wanted to appear as outstanding church members, but they didnt want to part with their possessions. As at Damascus, Saul eventually had to leave the city of Jerusalem to save his life. His career as a persecutor of Christians seems to have begun with Stephen, but it quickly spread to all of the Christians in Jerusalem (Acts 7:588:3). WebThe Conversion of Saul. (9) On the road to Damascus, Saul did far more than to see a bright light and to hear a voice from heaven. The longer I study Sauls conversion, the more convinced I am that his conversion is typical. This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. This light would thus have been very bright indeed. Have you had such an encounter? The importance of Sauls conversion can hardly be overestimated. The ultimate issue was Gods ability to saveeven the most committed unbeliever. 00:00. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. The results of Sauls preaching were predictable, very much like the response Saul would have had (or did have) to the preaching of the gospel before his conversion. It does not store any personal data. (3) Sauls conversion experience was quick and dramatic in one sense, but it also involved a process, a process of at least three days.135. many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus? What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:3-6). 2:22, Acts 13:2; 22:21; Rom. When the plot became known to Saul, he made a successful, albeit undignified, escape from the city of Damascus. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus’ followers🤨 There were three Ananiases in the Bible. His conversion was by far the most vital influence in Pauls life. ), Acts 7:59; 9:2, 21; 1 Cor. If Luke had any ax to grind on this issue, here would have been a great place to stress this matter, but he did not do so. Ananias is not the last believer who has seen fit to keep God up to date (The Storytellers Companion to the Bible: The Acts of the Apostles). Ananias Get up and go to the street called Straight, to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, since he is praying there. Furthermore, in Acts 26:10 Paul testifies that he received letters from the chief priests, not just the chief priest alone. Their story is rarely shown in art, but is the subject of one of the Raphael Cartoons, and a panel on the Brescia Casket, both illustrated here. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to imprison all who call upon your name.l The story of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5 is difficult. . Did God Judge Ananias and Sapphira for the same sin? 15:8; Gal. 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight., 13Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, (C)how much [a]harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lords freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christs slave. 1:16f. Later, when Paul looked back on his past devotion and deeds, all done in the name of Judaism, he came to view his apparent righteous deeds for what they really weredung: 1 Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord! ACTS 9:27 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. No sinner is beyond the grace and the grasp of God. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 20 Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that I was inclined to think that most of us, experientially, are called to faith in Christ only to gradually learn Gods will for our life, progressively revealed to us as we walk in Him. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Sauls eyes. Sauls conversion was to play a crucial role in the expansion of the gospel. Pauls hatred for Christ and His followers was common knowledge. We will next seek to learn how this description of Sauls conversion fits into and contributes to the development of Lukes argument in Acts. 1:4). F. F. Bruce, p. 190. Scripture taken from the New King James Version. 12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Over and over in his epistles, Paul spoke of salvation in terms of radical change. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the Lord will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end (Isaiah 60:20). He was, indeed, Stephens replacement. This happened to Ananias of Damascus when he ministered to Saul of Tarsus. Peter Heals Aeneas at Lydda. But then the preacher can continue that even though Ananias didnt know about Sauls epiphany, he did as the Lord told him anyway. One thing was certain; no matter how much time had passed, the apostles were not yet convinced of Sauls conversion. Discuss 2 ways in which Paul suffered as an apostle The message of the gospel, to be sure, is always the same, but the approach is not. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. \4Q-b24Q-z U`E(O42. So Ananias found Saul at Judas' house, praying for help. Saul did not agree with his teacher, Gamaliel, on how the Christians should be dealt with, however. . Lesson Text Acts 9:1-19 Scripture Memory Verse The people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death a light has dawned (Matthew 4:16). on it belonged to the Roman province of Syria, but had a measure of municipal autonomy in the loose federation of cities called the Decapolis. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17). Webb Ananias was successful because he trusted Jesus and he viewed Saul as his brother. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. When we look at Pauls great love and compassion for the saints, we have to remind ourselves of the hate he once had toward them. What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias? It was an act of faith and bravery equivalent to helping a lion out of a trap. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. There is more space devoted to convincing Ananias than there is to the conversion of Saul. Note the following impressions gained from a reflection on the passage as a whole. Here, Saul was only told that it was Jesus whom he saw, who was speaking to him, and whom he was persecuting. But these laws, which seek to summarize the gospel in a concise way, should always be applied individually. A vision, in this context, was a supernatural sight from God. Put your trust in the light while you have it, so that you may become sons of light. When he had finished speaking, Jesus left and hid himself from them (John 12:35-36). Luke 3:22), it expressed his unique relationship and fellowship with the Father. Ibid. There are differences between the three accounts given to us in Acts. Ananias and Sapphira lied to the Holy Spirit because it was the Holy Spirit who dwelt in the apostles, giving them their power and authority. He was a man of great respect and influence, and thus he realized that his actions would have broad ramifications. It is hardly likely that at this stage Saul recognized Jesus as Lord, though he does so greet him in 22:10 `What shall I do, Lord? A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament (Nashville: Broadman Press, 1930), III, pp. The Diocese of Rochester In America 1868-1993. Nevertheless, there must have been those who intended to use Sauls coming to oppose the church. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. Perhaps so, but I am not as confident of this as I once was. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Perhaps Ananias and Sapphira got caught up in a band-wagon effect. Am I not an apostle? Ananias Laid Hands on Paul Ananias did as the Lord commanded and went to Sauls house and laid his hands on him. If the unity of Christ and His body, the church, were a vital truth with respect to Sauls persecution of the church, it was also a vital truth for him as a Christian. It says nothing about him receiving the Holy Spirit. 26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. Paul was overwhelmed by a flash of heavenly light. In other words, Is Sauls conversion typical and illustrative of the conversion of every saint, or is it unique, the exceptional case, which has little correspondence to most converts?. 3 Why was Ananias afraid of helping Saul? One moment, Saul is inflicting pain and suffering on others who trust in Jesus as the Messiah, the next, he is enduring suffering for the sake of Jesus, the Messiah. In the end, God Himself will provide the illumination so that the sun and the stars will not be needed for this function: The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the Lord binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted (Isaiah 30:26). It was his preaching that resulted in the conversion of many Gentiles, and it was his writing (his epistles) to these saints which greatly strengthened them in their faith. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, 8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born (1 Corinthians 15:3-8). The blinding of Bar-Jesus thus seems to be the second major turning point in the ministry of Paul. Would the church not have undertaken the task of discipling these folks? Like Stephen, Saul seemed to gravitate toward preaching to the Hellenistic Jews (9:29). The Lord Jesus appeared to Ananias in a vision. Hear, you deaf! The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". The only question is who is the LORD? Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. 5He said, Who are you, sir? The reply came, I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.e For all the saints. 6Now get up and go into the city and you will be told what you must do.f 37Now during those days she fell sick and died, so after washing her, they laid [her] out in a room upstairs. * [9:26] This visit of Paul to Jerusalem is mentioned by Paul in Gal 1:18. * She was completely occupied with good deeds and almsgiving. Linking is encouraged, but republishing or redistributing, including by framing or similar means, without the publisher's prior written permission is prohibited. Ananias baptised Saul in the name of Jesus - the one who had sent him to the vanquished enemy of the church. It was due to the intervention of Barnabas, a man who would prove to be a lifetime friend of Paul, that the apostles risked a meeting with him and then granted him the freedom to associate with the saints in Jerusalem. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you (Deuteronomy 28:28-29). However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent. It was evidently a term used by the early followers of Jesus to denote their movement as the way of life or the way of salvation. F. F. Bruce, The Book of Acts, Revised Edition (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1988), p. 181. Third, these discrepancies may well have been evident to the writers, who did not see fit to remove or explain every problem. During the subsequent Roman rule, the 1. Rather, he sought the arrest, trial, conviction, and punishment (with imprisonment the norm and death the ideal, it would seem) of those in Jerusalem. The words which Ananias spoke to Saul indicate he was also to lay hands on him so that he would receive the Holy Spirit (9:17). But everyone can pray for and with those who have scorned the church and are scorned by the church. 130 In our text, we are told the Saul went to the high priest to ask for letters from him to the synagogues in Damascus (9:1-2), but in Acts 22:5-6 Paul indicates that the Council (the Sanhedrin) was also involved in providing him with letters of authorization to arrest Christians in Damascus. Here is a graphic illustration of what true repentance isit is a turning about, beginning with ones belief and bearing fruit in ones conduct. About three hours later, Sapphira arrived. Sauls conversion is a watershed event, catapulting the gospel to the Gentiles and to more distant places. What a shock Sauls conversion must have been to both groups! 23After a long time had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click WebAnd 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, the Romans . The call to salvation is also the call to a life of holiness and obedience. No, Ananias did not do any of these things so far as the author of Luke-Acts is concerned. The life of Paul and his writings are very important parts of the New Testament. In 47 B.C. Start FREE. Nothing is said in our text about any miracles being performed by Saul, as yet. All rights reserved. Did they send for Saul? This divine illumination is that miracle which God performs within a lost, blinded, dead soul, so as to bring about salvation: 4 The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 7 But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. We do not know the exact time when Saul was saved. 11 The Lord told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsusp named Saul, for he is praying. 10 And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. No one, it would seem, was even thinking of what God was about to do. Now that the Lord had identified Himself as Jesus, Saul recognized that he was the sinner. He should not be circumcised. Damascus, a city some 150 miles to the northeast of Jerusalem, was one such city. . In this occasion, no one seems to have prayed for Peters miraculous escape. Sapphira). Instead, he became the first believer to minister to Saul. 2 What do we know about Ananias in Acts 9? Granted, his experience is unique and dramatic. Dont let it trouble youalthough if you can gain your freedom, do so. The voice of bridegroom and bride will never be heard in you again. gJi\!2LITShA%)&bqd=/)@Eg*tttpt @V6wCAp{GyAGG9h d=u3zDca{y:&0}=!P`XX z;g3 {~paveta +w Ananias found Also, He went on to become a respected teacher and the founder of the Priests of the Sacred Heart of Betharram. But there is a greater discrepancy between the accounts of Sauls conversion in Acts and that which Paul gave in Galatians 1. All of this account describes the two complementary divine visions which Ananias and Saul received. Ananias was used as Gods instrument in the conversion of Saul, but even he had to be pushed to go to Saul. Israel too will just as surely return to God; and when it happens, it will be all of God, all to His glory and praise: 15 Truth is nowhere to be found, and whoever shuns evil becomes a prey. 32As Peter was passing through every region, he went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Thus, it is grace which sustains the saint, in addition to saving him: Do not be carried away by varied and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods, through which those who were thus occupied were not benefited (Hebrews 13:9). When Saul looked at the disciples of The Way (Jesus disciples) all he saw was a heretical sect that was a threat to the nation of Israel and Gods Law. This can hardly be possible. WebThe last time they saw Saul, he was arresting and killing Christians. 13But Ananias replied, Lord, I have heard from many sources about this man, what evil things he has done to your holy ones* in Jerusalem.k 28 Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. By submitting your email address, you understand that you will receive email communications from Bible Gateway, a division of The Zondervan Corporation, 3900 Sparks Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546 USA, including commercial communications and messages from partners of Bible Gateway. The voice from heaven did not call out, Have you ever heard of the four spiritual laws?152 Ananias was sent to Saul only. They are also very significant in what they conveyed to Saul. 41He gave her his hand and raised her up, and when he had called the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. When the Christians learned that the Hellenists to whom Saul had preached were plotting to kill them, they helped him escape through Caesarea and on to Tarsus. I. This man summoned Barnabas and Saul and sought to hear the word of God. When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple (vs. 26). This cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. Ananias was afraid because he knew Sauls reputation as a merciless persecutor of the church. No, I worked harder than all of themyet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of Gods grace given me through the working of his power. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. 15:10; Gal. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. All Ananias did was to obey Christs command to go pray with Saul so that Saul could do all those things. Bob was born and raised in a Christian home i More, The Net Pastors Journal, Eng. The Lord called for him to be slapped. Ananias had to overcome his fear so that Saul would be overcome by grace. Sauls Conversion. For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified (1 Corinthians 2:2). If this passage is profoundly important, it also poses its problems. Second, we are not given enough information in the biblical text to solve them dogmatically. To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"? What is the significance of the story of Ananias and Sapphira? It is a miraculous, dramatic reversal, first of ones beliefs, and then of ones behavior. Here Saul took the various items in the life of Jesus of Nazareth and found in them the proof that he was in reality the Messiah (ho Christos). We can learn more about his life in the Book of the Acts of the Apostles, and we can still read some of the letters he wrote that have been collected into the Bible, such as Galatians, Ephesians and Philippians. WebActs 9:10-18 Ananias. (10) Sauls encounter with Christ was not only a conversion, but it was also a call to a very specific ministry. He was afraid because Saul killed Jesus followers What did Ananias's do to heal Paul's eyes? If Ananias and Sapphira were born again believers and God judged them for their sin, it means that even though Jesus was judged for sin, God still judged them for their sin. He goes for broke. Israel too will look on Him whom they have pierced and mourn. The light of a lamp will never shine in you again. 17 And Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he arose and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened. (8) The salvation of Saul made him a vital part of Christs body, the church. How does Ananias ability to rise above his own feelings of hatred toward Saul encourage Saul to move