Acts 9:15-19a 15But the Lord said to him, “Go, because he is my chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how much it is necessary for him to suffer for my name.” 17So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him, he said, “Saul, Brother, the Lord sent me, Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came, so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18And immediately, like scales fell from his eyes, and he saw again, and then after rising, he was baptized; 19and taking food, he was strengthened.
Jesus’ response to Ananias was to repeat the command, with more information that would relieve Ananias’ fears. The reason he needed to go find Saul is given in a causal clause that mentions Saul’s new mission of taking the gospel to Gentiles, kings, and the Jews. All three of those groups are highlighted beginning immediately after Saul’s sight is restored and he is baptized (verse 20). His mission was to carry the name of Jesus with him. C arry (bastasai) means to take something from place to place, but it could also refer to carrying a heavy burden. Jesus’ name is not a burden, but it would lead Paul into great suffering, as indicated in verse 16. Suffering was part of Paul’s calling. Through his suffering, his faith grew, and he served as a witness of Christ’s sustaining grace (2 Corinthians 12:9). The persecutor would become the persecuted. Paul later reflected on how God had chosen him before he was born for the special task of preaching the good news of Jesus Christ (Galatians 1:15).
Ananias did not put up any resistance or show any more fear or doubt. He has passed his test of faith. He had caught the mision of his vision: to reach the world for Christ through the transformed new believer named Saul of Tarsus. This remarkable man went immediately to Judas’ house and found Saul, likely sitting quietly in prayer and meditation upon what had happened to him. Saul also had a vision from Jesus that Ananias was coming, so he was prepared for the visit.
Ananias’ address to Saul is also remarkable in that he called Saul Brother. Saul had joined the family of believers. Ananias trusted his vision from the Lord and accepted by faith the change that had happened in Saul. The Lord must have told Ananias about Saul’s vision on the road to Damascus, as indicated in verse 17. Two significant events happened when Ananias laid his hands on Saul. Physically, Saul’s sight was restored as something like flakes fell off his eyes. No more details about this is given, leaving a lot to our imagination. Second, Saul received the Holy Spirit. Luke does not record when exactly this happened. It could have been when Ananias laid his hands on Saul or when he baptized Saul. The assumption is that the Holy Spirit came into Saul’s life in a powerful way, as evidenced in what happened beginning in verse 20. After his long fast, Saul now had spiritual sight through the Holy Spirit and physical sight through the healing miracle. He was ready for food! It is easy for us to miss the significant acceptance and fellowship that happened that day in Judas’ house on Straight Street. We wish we could have been there as Ananias greeted Saul and helped him find deeper healing and transformation. There was a party in the house that day!
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