Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. And 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.” (Acts 9:10-12)
In the previous lesson, we were introduced to Saul, he made havoc of the church, entering every house, and dragging off men and women, committing them to prison. (Acts 8:3) Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:1-4; see ACTS: Introduction to Saul, the Conversion of the Persecutor of the Church)
Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. (Acts 9:8-9) So Christ is sending Ananias to Saul. Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” (Acts 9:13-16)
Now we know why Saul is called the "thirteenth apostle". As we studied in a previous lesson, an apostle is a person who was an eye witness of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and/or had direct contact with Christ and participates in the ministry of spreading the gospel. (see ACTS: Jesus is Coming Back, but We're Empowered Now) Jesus says that Saul is His chosen vessel, to bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Not just Saul or the other twelve apostles, but all of us who believe in Christ Jesus ...are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (I Peter 2:9 NLT)
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. (Acts 9:17-20)
What a transformation! And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2) A personal encounter with Christ Jesus, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and being strengthened, all can lead to us becoming bold witnesses for Christ, no matter what we may have been or done in the past. When we accept salvation, we can't stay the same for long, but we do transform by the renewing of our mind. Family, friends and acquaintances will notice the difference in us, just like the Jews in Damascus noticed the difference in Saul.
Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. (Acts 9:21-24)
Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:25-27)
The Jews noticed the difference in Saul, but true to history, they would rather try to kill the messenger than receive the message. Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. (II Corinthians 2:15-16 NLT) But none of us will leave this earth until God says it's time, and thankfully God spared Saul, because He promised that Saul would bear His name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Saul could rest assured no matter what happened to him, he wasn't going to die until Christ's Word for his life was fulfilled, and the same is true for all of us.
As for the apostles, they had every right to be afraid of him. The last time Saul had been in Jerusalem, the council from the Synagogue of Freedmen had stoned one of the disciples, Stephen; And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul. (Acts 7:58) But there's nothing like an eye witness, who will speak up for us, and thankfully that's what Barnabas did for Saul. No matter what we may have done in the past, if we have accepted Christ Jesus as our Savior and Lord, let's start doing what He would have us to do. Somebody is watching and taking notice, even if that person is Christ Jesus Himself, and The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,... (Romans 8:16)
So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied. (Acts 9:28-31) Jesus said, "[Saul] is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel." The church was growing, and also spreading, and it still is today, because all of us have to "Go therefore...!" (Matthew 28:19)
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