A Certain Disciple At Damascus, Named Ananias... Series

And 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. 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, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And 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, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Act 9:10-20 KJV

Act 22:12-16 KJV And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. 16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

There was a certain man at Jerusalem named Ananias...And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias

Both previously unknown:

One became infamous for lying to the Holy Ghost, the other became famous for obeying the Holy Ghost

One allowed Satan to fill his heart; the other allowed God to direct him

One wanted to be known as a generous man, the other already had a good report of all Jews.

One was pretentious and deceitful; the other was devout according to the law

One died in ignominy and shame, the other lives on as the man who launched the apostle Paul on his mission.

Obedience led Ananias to launch the world's foremost apostle and missionary.

He was the first person Paul saw after recovering from his blindness.

Paul referred to him in glowing terms of praise.

He also was not disobedient to the heavenly vision!

He was made the subject of Paul's vision

Ananias comes through as a brave, obedient, devout man and a man of good report.

Saul was not in a house full of Christians. he was in a house of his friends who no doubt shared the same purpose i.e. opposition to the Christians.

You may say he stepped right into the viper's nest to meet the king viper.

It takes a certain kind of courage to do that! These were dangerous times.

Knowing who Saul was and his declared mission, it was no little thing to walk into that house with the re-commission from God! It may not be the place you want to be but it is the place God wants you to be!

WE HAVE FROM THE BIBLE THE FOLLOWING DESCRIPTION OF ANANIAS:

1. A certain disciple

It is possible that he was not in some type of leadership position or both Paul and Luke would have mentioned it. It should remind us that "Of a truth...God is no respecter of persons: But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him." Acts 10:34-35.

2. A devout man according to the law

He met all the qualifications of being a devout man in line with the Law of God. He lived according to the requirements laid out in the Law of God.

3. Had a good report of all the Jews

His reputation was good not only in the Christian community but among all the Jews. He not only studied the Law and knew it. He practiced it in righteousness and truth so that his devoted lifestyle was observed and known by all.