Saul’s mission

To the hesitant Ananias, the Lord said, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer in behalf of My name.” (1) The Lord clearly revealed Saul’s mission. (a) He is a chosen instrument of God. (b) He will proclaim the gospel (Jesus) to three groups of people: Gentiles, kings (Governor Felix, King Agrippa II, Caesar), and the people of Israel. (2) Saul’s ministry will be accompanied by suffering. (a) The one who caused great suffering to the saints will now experience even greater suffering. (b) In 2 Corinthians 11:23b-27, the hardships Saul experienced are listed.

Ananias obedient actions

“So Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’” (1) Ananias, though having some doubts, visited the house of Judas. He accepted Saul as a “brother,” which was a great comfort to Saul. (2) Ananias explained the purpose of his visit: (a) The Lord Jesus sent me. (b) So that you may regain your sight. (c) So that you may be filled with the Holy Spirit. The filling of the Holy Spirit here refers to the empowerment for evangelism (the rule of the Holy Spirit). Saul had already received the baptism of the Holy Spirit when he encountered the risen Jesus (Saul had become a member of the body of Christ). “And immediately something like fish scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; and he took food and was strengthened.” (1) Saul was immediately healed through Ananias’s laying on of hands. (a) Something like fish scales fell from his eyes. (b) He regained his sight. (2) Saul received water baptism. This water baptism symbolized his union with Jesus Christ. (3) Saul took food and regained his strength, ending his three-day fast.
What happened to Ananias afterward? Unfortunately, there is no further information about Ananias in the Acts of the Apostles. However, there is a mention of Ananias in Paul’s testimony in Acts 22:1-30. The Acts of the Apostles is a narrative based on the concept of the priesthood of all believers. Let us learn a lesson from this.