Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem.
God had just appeared to Ananias and told him to go and pray for Saul that he might receive his sight. Ananias did not want to have anything to do with […]
Acts 24:2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,
Tertullus was an orator who was brought by Ananias to the judgment hall of Felix for the purpose of bringing charges […]
Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Ananias had heard that of the deeds of Saul back in Jerusalem. Ananias understood that Saul was coming to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Most likely, […]
Acts 24:26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
Felix had heard the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Evidently, Felix believed Paul�s story over the story given to him by Ananias and Tertullus. However, Felix was corrupt, he desired that Paul purchase his freedom by bribing him with money. Felix may have heard how Paul lived by a different standard, but that still did not stop him from attempting to receive from Paul a bribe in exchange for his release.
What Felix did not understand is that Paul was accountable to God for his actions. Paul had added virtue to his life and as such, while he probably figured out that with a bribe he would be able to obtain a release, if he paid a bribe, he would destroy his testimony. Paul understood that even thinking about paying a bribe to Felix violated at least four things he had told the church that they were supposed to think upon. Taking a bribe would not be true, it would not be honest, it would not be just and it would not be pure.
Acts 24:16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
Paul was presenting his case before Felix. Felix had first allowed Ananias along with his spokesman Tertullus to first bring the charges against Paul. It was now Paul�s turn to respond to these charges and to make explanation for his behavior. Paul explained to Felix that he was not speaking to anyone when some Jews from Asia saw him in the temple and they started the riot. Paul also claimed that the Jews could not prove all the charges that they brought against him. Next, Paul told Felix how he strived to live his life so as to maintain a good conscience before God and man. Finally, Paul took advantage of the opportunity and explained how his beliefs actually conformed to the law of the Jews.
Acts 24:1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.
Lysias, the captain of the guard sent Paul to Caesarea. In Caesarea was Felix the governor who agreed to hear the charges of the Jews. When Ananias arrived, he had brought Tertullus to speak before Felix to communicate their grievances.
Tertullus started off by flattering Felix by letting him know how he had brought peace to their land and how they were so grateful for Felix�s worthy deeds in their land. Tertullus then stated that he did not want to waste Felix�s time and that he would be brief. Next he accused Paul of stirring up the Jews and various other things that Paul had not done. Finally they said that they were about to judge Paul according to their law because he had defiled the temple but that they were prevented because of Lysias actions of taking Paul away from them with violence. Tertullus communicated that this matter was regarding their temple and as such, implied that Felix did not have jurisdiction to hear this matter.
Acts 23:5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
While in Jerusalem Paul was arrested by the Romans because it appeared to the chief captain that Paul was causing a riot to occur. The next day, Paul was taken before the council so that the charges might be heard. Ananias was sitting as the high priest. Paul told the council that he had lived his life in good conscience before God. Ananias ordered Paul to be slapped and Paul ridiculed Ananias. Paul was then told the position of Ananias and Paul had to repent because he understood that he was not to speak evil of the ruler.
Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Saul had been religious and was trying to kill the Christians. Now Saul
had been touched of God and he was sharing with others the good report
that Christ was the Son of God. In the matter of a very short period of
time, Paul had been filled with virtue and his entire life had changed.
Paul had spoken to God and God blinded him and then three days later,
after much prayer and fasting, Ananias came and laid his hands upon him
so that he received his sight. At the same time Saul had received his
Acts 9:11-12 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
You want me to do what? You want me to find the person who is trying to kill me and heal the man that you have judged for the wickedness that he has done to YOUR church? Wouldn�t your church be better off if this Saul character remain blind the rest of his life?
Ananias received a difficult instruction from God. Ananias was a faithful disciple who knew the voice of God. However, just because he knew the voice of God, it does not mean that he was doing back flips in eager anticipation to obeying God. This was a hard thing God was asking Ananias to do. God was asking Ananias to love his enemy, to bless the one who cursed him, to do good to the one who hated him and to pray for the one who was persecuting him. Ananias tried to change God�s mind by reasoning with God. However, God assured Ananias that HE had changed Saul.
