So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." Sermons I. THE CHANGE THAT PASSES ON SAUL. He receives his sight. For three days he had been blind in a bodily sense, but for probably three and thirty years he had been blind in the other sense. And this is just what he had been. He had not been vicious, immoral, sottish, nor an infidel, nor irreverent toward all religious truth and feeling. But he had been blind - blind to the very type of human nature. And his blindness is but the type of that of every one of us, till he "receives his sight from the Lord Jesus." II. THE HUMAN HAND AND VOICE BY AID OF WHICH THE BLESSING IS CONVEYED. If Jesus had been in a literal sense upon the earth, he would have spoken to Saul, he would have laid his own hands upon him. The actual ministry, the visible ministry, is passed, however, now into human agency. This was a plain-spoken statement of it. How great the honor laid on men! and how great their responsibility by this devolution of the highest and holiest functions! How full of solemn and inspiring suggestion, too little traced out in devout thought by us - that the actual work which for a space of time Jesus' own voice and hand had attended to, are now to be attended to by man, fellow-man. 1. That work, that ministry of service to the soul of a fellow-creature, finds out very soon and very surely all that is of the nature of sympathy. It tries sympathy it wakes it, it increases it. The fearful Anamas and distrustful of one hour ago finds, and no doubt honestly, the word "brother" now on his lip - " Brother Saul." 2. Jesus himself became genuinely a Brother to those he came to save, not by virtue of his Divine power and practical pity only. That his might be the very type of brotherliness, he took our nature on him, and made himself Brother (Hebrews 2:11, 17). And when he ascended, his representatives are to be found in those who were men alone. That what might seem the unnecessary thing is here done, in a man being sent with the mere message of regiven sight, and the mere formality of "laying on hands" where no virtue could pass, must mean all the more to set honor on the spiritual work which one man should do for others. III. THE ONE DIVINE SOURCE FROM WHICH, NEVERTHELESS, ALL SAVING HELP CAME. 1. Jesus sends Ananias. He has directed him, and where necessary corrected him also. He has fixed the time, and hastens the lingering step of Ananias. 2. Jesus, who "began the good work," perfects it. The Jesus who met Saul in the way and peremptorily reined up his career is the Jesus who gives him now light and liberty and his commission. The miracle is the miracle of Jesus; his the power, the will, the love, the sovereign grace. Nor can this be too well remembered by the servants of Christ, in all they do now toward the salvation of a fellow man. Those who will most readily admit that the touch of their hand can do nothing to work sight for the blind, are not always quite so clear that their voice, their wisdom, their persuasion, their mental influence on a fellow-being's mental state, are correspondingly impotent in and of themselves. Yet it is so. The love of Jesus and the command of the Spirit, and these alone, "make dead sinners live." Of one thing we may be convinced, that, had Ananias only spoken a hollow word of respect to Jesus, and flattered himself that the healing and sight-giving were going to be his own, the miracle would have broken down in the middle, if it had got so far, as Peter sank in the middle of his walking upon the sea. Does the preacher, does the teacher, does the pastor, remember this principle constantly enough? Do they possess an unfeigned humility of faith in it? IV. THE ASSERTION OF THE INDWELLING OF THE HOLY GHOST. 1. The work of the Holy Ghost is announced. 2. The presence of the Holy Ghost is announced as the result of the sending of Jesus Christ (John 16:7). 3. The commanding need of the Holy Ghost for a renewed man and an enlightened man, that he may remain surely so, is strongly enough implied: "That thou mightest be filled with the Holy Ghost." Nothing so hinders the spread of Christianity, the force of Christian life, the conversion of souls, as the neglect or the indifference shown to the work of the Holy Spirit. Christianity is in the fullest sense "the dispensation of the Spirit," and yet prayer for that Spirit, dependence upon him, understanding of him, arc often all of the vaguest. The power and persuasion and grandeur of Christ and the cross of Christ only move into vitality as the Spirit takes of them and brings them to men's hearts. We do all and always need the Holy Spirit for both conversion and for sanctification, and for knowing and doing acceptably any service for God, for Christ, in man's heart and life. V. THE SIGNS FOLLOWING THE WORD AND THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF ANANIAS. They followed just as though it were by his own "power and holiness" that this miracle was wrought. So in our spiritual work, we should look for results. We should feel their cheering effect. We should delight in them. We should be grateful and honored exceedingly that we are permitted to be instruments in the "mighty hand" for doing them. But, meantime, we are bound never to forget how fearful the robbery and the guilt if we give not all the glory to God, to Jesus, to the Spirit. - B.
And Ananias,...putting his hands on him said, brother Saul. I. THE MINISTRY WHICH HELPS TO COMPLETE THE GREAT CHANGE. If the appearance of the Lord to the persecutor was miraculous, the work was not completed without ordinary instrumentalities. "There was a certain disciple named Ananias." This indicates —1. The Lord's interest in the prayer, confession, and sadder experiences of the contrite heart. He heeds the sighing of the imperfect, even while receiving the adoration of the perfect. "Behold, he prayeth!" 2. The Lord's wisdom in His dealing with the penitent. He dealt with him in the way of revelation. He inspired the vision of human help coming to aid the convicted man in his extremity. After great marvels, Christ leads Saul on by means of common Church agencies. The pride of Pharisaism was here directly attacked. This man's religion was not to rest on any mere human authority. In Christianity the ordinary is more essential and valuable than the special and extraordinary. 3. The characteristics of the ministry of Ananias.(1) It was conceived and performed in the spirit of true brotherhood. "One is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren." Brotherhood is a note of valid Christianity.(2) Its authority was found in the commission of the Lord. This humble man felt the dignity of his Divine office, but he knew that he had only fulfilled it when Christ alone was exalted.(3) It was one of enlightenment. "There fell from his eyes as it had been scales." The physical change was only the type and symbol of the change perfected within. "The entrance of Thy Word giveth light." Here, then, is intelligence, devotion, brotherhood, the common ministry of the faithful; these present the conditions of healthful Christian life. II. FORGIVEN, BUT DISCIPLINED. One tendency of Christian society just now is towards a neglect of due and careful Christian culture. Men want a gospel which confers a boon, but does not demand a duty, which secures forgiveness, but does not provide for holiness. Saul's early Christian history supplies important lessons concerning Christian culture. "Then was Saul certain days with the disciples." Here is — 1. Believing fellowship. Saul became a disciple and was baptized. He was designated as a learner in the school of Christ. When a man feels the throb and impulse of the Divine life within him he is moved to seek Christian fellowship. To stand aloof is contrary to the spirit and genius of Christianity. A fitful attendance at the Table of the Lord does not satisfy the requirements of Christian obligation. 2. Special culture and training for the life work. Although Saul had been constituted a disciple, and had received spiritual gifts, he was not therefore equipped for lifelong ministries. Spontaneous fellowship does not imply spontaneous readiness for Church ministers. The quiet life of brotherly fellowship was followed by a season of silent, sedulous, earnest, secret preparation for the appointed task. Between the "certain days" of fellowship of verse 19th, and the "straightway he preached Christ" of the 20th, you have interposed the time of retirement spent by him in study, meditation, and prayers in Arabia. A scholar among the most learned of his age and country, he must commune with his own heart and God before he can calmly and fully, with that marvellous wisdom which all the ages have admired, preach the gospel to the people. A sacred reticence is becoming and healthful. There is no encouragement here to the presumption of a glib ignorance, which waits neither for the Divine calling, nor the Church's sending. Silence in the desert prepares for the usefulness of thirty years. 3. The life-long spiritual and moral discipline. Forgiven, there were yet consequences of the old life to be borne and endured. He went to Damascus to persecute. At Damascus he was persecuted. He took part in the stoning of Stephen. At Lystra he was stoned. He imprisoned many; he was himself a prisoner. He went about to establish his own righteousness, and the Judaizing teachers of his own old doctrine poisoned the founts of his joy in the churches he founded, and tried to turn away from him the grateful love of his converts. (W. H. Davison.) I. THE BROTHERLY MOVEMENT. As soon as his difficulties were removed Ananias "went his way," etc.1. Many who are required for beneficent ministries to the sick, poor, or sinful never hear the call of duty. 2. Others hear it, but do not go. Either they do not care to go, or regard it the duty of the object to come. Saul was not sent to Ananias, but Ananias to Saul. The nations were not told to go to the apostles to be discipled, but the apostles to go and disciple the world. Some cannot come, many will not. Hence the example of Him who "went about doing good." 3. True brotherliness goes —(1) Promptly. Ananias questions no more.(2) Courageously. "Went into the house." Many who are brave enough to meet a certain class of people in the street, hesitate when they come to the house. Street preaching requires less courage than house-to-house visitation in the slums.(3) Without ceremony. It mattered not whether Judas' house was a palace or a cottage, Ananias was on business that must not be hampered by social etiquette, so he entered into the house. The Christian worker must not be rude, but he need not be servile. The business of the King of kings should give His servant an entree anywhere, and that business often requires haste. II. THE BROTHERLY TOUCH. "Putting his hands upon him." Many good and kind people go, but they are at a loss what to do when they arrive. This is due sometimes to clumsiness or sheer nervousness. Owing to this often the very thing is done which should be left undone, and needless embarrassment and pain is often innocently given. But the spirit of brotherliness should be educated, and then there will be no difficulty about brotherly contact. A brother of low degree should have no hesitation at shaking hands with a brother of high degree; nor should a wealthy or cultured Christian withhold his hand from a poor or ignorant brother. Saul's social status, gifts, etc., were altogether beyond those of Ananias, yet Ananias "put his hands upon him." A touch will sometimes go farther than a word or even a gift, or when it accompanies them will double their worth. III. THE BROTHERLY WORD. "Brother Saul." There is nothing, perhaps, more pathetic in all sacred literature than this utterance under these circumstances. The word has become vulgarised, and in certain lips is a mere official or cant expression; but there is life and power in it yet. And may the time be far distant when in our Church gatherings "Mr." shall supplant "Brother," and "Gentlemen" "Brethren." The term is significant of — 1. Common relationship to a common Father. 2. Common rights to the same privileges. 3. Common duties. 4. Common hopes. IV. THE BROTHERLY SERVICE. 1. Ananias was the means of restoring Saul's sight, and thus symbolises the work of all those who, having light themselves from "the Father of lights," impart it to the mentally, morally, or circumstantially blind. 2. Ananias was the means of communicating the Rely Ghost, as are all those who strive for the conversion, holiness, or consecration of others. 3. Ananias was the means of introducing Saul to the society of the believers. Without arguing the vexed question whether Ananias was a layman, and by baptizing Saul vindicated the validity of lay baptism, we may assuredly trace the good man's influence in verse 19.Conclusion: 1. "Sirs, ye are brethren." 2. Act as brothers. (J. W. Burn.) I. A BROTHER RECEIVED BY CHRIST, though not acknowledged by Christians.1. We ought to reject none. Those "far off" may be "made nigh." 2. We should not look too closely at a man's past. Change is possible in any case when grace works. II. A BROTHER SUDDENLY ADOPTED. 1. God's grace is mighty and sudden, so do not gauge another's condition by your own experience. Do not construct rules for the Holy Spirit's working. 2. Do not judge of another's conversion by your own. III. A BROTHER THROUGH THE APPOINTED MEANS. 1. He submitted to Christ. 2. He prayed. 3. He believed. All who desire to join the brotherhood must submit to these conditions. Otherwise he is an alien. IV. A BROTHER IN SUFFERING AND LABOUR (2 Corinthians 2:23-28). (J. W. Munday.) People Aeneas, Ananias, Barnabas, Dorcas, Grecians, Judas, Lud, Peter, Saul, Simon, TabithaPlaces Azotus, Caesarea, Damascus, Galilee, Jerusalem, Joppa, Judea, Lydda, Samaria, Sharon, Straight Street, TarsusTopics Able, Ananias, Anani'as, Appear, Appeared, Brother, Camest, Departed, Enter, Entered, Filled, Full, Ghost, Hands, Holy, Journey, Laying, Mayest, Mightest, Placing, Putting, Receive, Recover, Regain, Road, Saul, Sight, Spirit, WastOutline 1. Saul, going toward Damascus, is stricken down to the earth, 8. and led blind to Damascus; 10. is called to the apostleship; 18. and is baptized by Ananias. 20. He preaches Christ boldly. 23. The Jews lay wait to kill him; 29. so do the Grecians, but he escapes both. 31. The church having rest, Peter heals Aeneas; 36. and restores Tabitha to life. Dictionary of Bible Themes Acts 9:17 3251 Holy Spirit, filling with 1466 vision Library 'This Way''Any of this way.'--ACTS ix. 2 The name of 'Christian' was not applied to themselves by the followers of Jesus before the completion of the New Testament. There were other names in currency before that designation--which owed its origin to the scoffing wits of Antioch--was accepted by the Church. They called themselves 'disciples,' 'believers, 'saints,' 'brethren,' as if feeling about for a title. Here is a name that had obtained currency for a while, and was afterwards disused. We find it five times … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts A Bird's-Eye view of the Early Church Grace Triumphant Copies of Christ's Manner Directions to Awakened Sinners. Paul's First Prayer Paul a Pattern of Prayer Prov. 22:06 the Duties of Parents "To Me to Live is Christ" The Future of Christ's Kingdom First Group of Epistles the First and Second Epistles to the Thessalonians Introduction to the Epistles of Paul +Epistolary Writings. + --The The New Testament Text and Its History. Sharon. Caphar Lodim. The Village of those of Lydda. Caphar Tebi. Sources and Literature on St. Paul and his Work. The Knight of God Such, we May Believe, was that John the Monk... Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part? Whether the Form of this Sacrament Is: "I Absolve Thee"? Whether one Ought to Dispute with Unbelievers in Public? The Beginning of the New Testament The Doctrine of the Church i. Definition; Distinctions. Links Acts 9:17 NIVActs 9:17 NLT Acts 9:17 ESV Acts 9:17 NASB Acts 9:17 KJV Acts 9:17 Bible Apps Acts 9:17 Parallel Acts 9:17 Biblia Paralela Acts 9:17 Chinese Bible Acts 9:17 French Bible Acts 9:17 German Bible Acts 9:17 Commentaries Bible Hub |