Brother Saul

These words from Ananias must have been reassuring to Saul who needed to be affirmed in his new found faith, v. 17. This infuriated zealot who had been breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord had been instantaneously translated into the kingdom of light, Col. 1. 13, and that in dramatic fashion, Acts 9. 3. Struck down on the road to Damascus, his conversion contrasts sharply with that of the eunuch in the previous chapter and with Cornelius in chapter 10. With the Ethiopian, the deliverance came through the personal work of Philip; with Cornelius through the public preaching of the word. Saul’s conversion was without human instrumentality, an example of the providence of God in salvation.

The Voice from heaven enquired, ‘Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?’ v. 4. The words are identified as those of the Lord Jesus, v. 5. It was an explicit statement directed to Saul that revealed His care for the church. Never before did the Lord call out when He suffered, ‘Why persecutest thou me’? But now as His bride was suffering, His pearl of great price, He comes quickly to her aid.

Ananias is summoned as the first one to meet the newly transformed convert. At first he is reluctant, having heard of the harm that he had done to the saints, v. 14. Even today, believers are often incredulous as to the genuineness of conversions at this level. But Saul was now a brother in the Lord as Ananias substantiated, and he was demonstrating all the salient features of new life in Christ. Firstly, Ananias is told that Saul was ‘praying’, v. 11. Ritualistic and formal prayer had been the regimen of the religious and of the unenlightened Saul of old. Now he was truly communing with the God of heaven. Secondly, after the scales fell from his eyes, he arose and was baptized, v. 18. Like the eunuch, he chose to immediately verify his profession of faith. Thirdly, he spent time with the disciples, and in Damascus of all places, v. 19! Fellowship with the Lord’s people is another mark of genuine faith. Finally, Paul was unashamed of his new faith as he preached Christ in the synagogues, v. 20. Old things had truly passed away, for all things had become new!