Ananias

Ananias of Damascus

ACTS CHAPTER 9 ◄
Acts 9:7-9 The Conversion of Saul

Acts 9:10-18 Ananias

ACTS 9:10-14 10 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.” 11 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. 12 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.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”

To whom did the Lord communicate "in a vision"?
To both Ananias (Acts 9:10) and Saul (Acts 9:12)

What is remarkable about the Lord's directions to Ananias?
The Creator of the universe specifying the name of a street and the house in one of His planets.

What is wrong with Ananias’ response to the Lord?
He is trying to inform God of what’s going on.

Why do you think the street was named "Straight" (Acts 9:11)?
The "Straight Street" or Via Recta in Latin, was a straight east-west thoroughfare through Damascus built by the Greeks after the city came under Alexander the Great's rule. During the subsequent Roman rule, the Straight Street was widened and colonnades added to it.

What happened to Straight Street since then?
It's still there and you can still see the evidence of the colonnades (click here - view only).

ACTS 9:15-18 15 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. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.” 17 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.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

Did Saul's many sufferings during his ministry for Jesus' name come as a surprise to him?
No, God showed him "how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake" (Acts 9:16) even before his ministry began.

How can this message of suffering for Jesus' name in Christian ministry be reconciled with the wealth and prosperity that many pulpits today promise to those who will follow Jesus?
The two messages cannot be reconciled. One is the truth from God Himself, and the other is a deceptive, self-serving half-truth from people interested in expanding, as well as justifying, their earthly wealth and power.

What else did Jesus explain to Ananias?
That He had already appeared to Saul "on the road" (Acts 9:17) and that Saul was to "be filled with the Holy Spirit" (Acts 9:17).