Acts 9:10-19·~1 min

Ananias Baptizes Saul

In Damascus the Lord calls a disciple named Ananias in a vision and sends him to the house of Judas on Straight Street to find Saul, who is praying. The Lord says Saul has already seen Ananias come to restore his sight.

I¹⁰n Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!” ¹¹“Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹²In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Ananias objects because Saul has harmed the saints in Jerusalem and has authority to arrest those who call on Jesus' name. The Lord answers that Saul is his chosen instrument to carry that name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel, and that he will be shown how much he must suffer for it.

¹³But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” ¹⁵“Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.”

Ananias goes to Saul, lays hands on him, and calls him Brother Saul, saying Jesus has sent him so Saul may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Something like scales falls from Saul's eyes, he is baptized, takes food, regains strength, and spends several days with the disciples in Damascus.

¹⁷So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸At that instant, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and his sight was restored. He got up and was baptized, ¹⁹and after taking some food, he regained his strength. And he spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Section summaryThe Lord appears to Ananias in Damascus and sends him to Saul, even though Saul's violence is well known. When Ananias hesitates, the Lord names Saul as a chosen instrument who will carry Jesus' name widely and suffer for it, and Ananias goes so that Saul regains sight, is filled with the Holy Spirit, is baptized, and joins the disciples.

Role in the chapterThis section shows Saul's turning received by the church through costly obedience. Ananias' fearful hesitation gives way to welcome, and Saul's blindness is answered not only with sight but with baptism, filling, and fellowship.