Acts 22:12-16 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelled there,… The verb here translated, "chosen," only occurs in this form in one other place (Acts 26:16), where it has the sense of "making," or "appointing." The idea here is ordination, or setting apart. This ordination is — I. TO AN UNDERSTANDING OF THE HIGHEST SUBJECT. "That thou shouldst know His will." God has a will in relation to all existences and to every individual man. It is the spring of all existence, the rule of all motion, the standard of all character. To understand it is to understand the philosophy of all being, the cause of all phenomena, and the science of all duty. All true subjects of thought are related to it, and lead into it as radia to their centre. It is, therefore, the sublimest subject of thought. It expresses the Divine nature, it reveals the universe. It is, therefore, the great theme for the study of eternity. To the study of this Paul was thus ordained. He began it then, he is at it now, he will continue at it forever. II. TO A VISION OF THE HIGHEST EXISTENCE. Not only to understand the will which is the law of the universe, but to see the Lawgiver Himself (chap. Acts 3:14). Christ is called "that Just One," not merely because, as God, He is absolutely just, nor merely because, as man, He "did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth," but as Mediator who has engaged to make unjust men just to themselves, to their fellows, to the universe, to God. Paul wan ordained to Him in order — 1. To renovate him as a sinner. The vision of Christ is the soul transforming force. "Beholding, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, we are changed," etc. 2. To qualify him as an apostle. One of the necessary qualifications of an apostle was that he should have a personal view of Christ. Hence he says, "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen the Lord?" 3. To consummate his blessedness as a man. What is the heaven of souls? The beatific vision of Christ (Revelation 5:6, 12). III. TO A RECEPTION OF THE HIGHEST COMMUNICATIONS. "And shouldst hear the voice of His mouth." To have a direct communication with Christ seemed necessary in order to put Paul on a level with the twelve apostles (Acts 13:3; Galatians 1:1). But whilst this was specially required for Paul as an apostle, it is the high privilege of all good men. "Never man spake like this man," they said who heard Him when on earth, when He spoke only the few things that they could bear. But to listen to that voice in heaven, what an ecstasy of joy! What is the voice of your Plato's compared with the voice of Christ? IV. TO A DISCHARGE OF THE HIGHEST MISSION. "Thou shalt be His witness," etc. To bear witness — 1. Of the highest facts about the greatest Being. 2. Of the highest facts about the greatest Being to all mankind. How earnestly shall we aspire to such an ordination! (D. Thomas, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, |
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