The Pulpit Commentary — Acts — Volume 1 — Section 301

Vere. 10-19.-Saul and .Ananias. I. THE MINISTRY OP HAN TO llilr. After tho direct revelation through the terror of the lightning and the thunderbolt, comes the mediate revelation through the familiar voice and manner of one's fellow-man. Ananias is not an apostle; he is a disciple, a member of the Church simply, entrusted with no particular office or position. Possibly the reason for this was that Paul might not be dependent on any of the other apostles. He was, he said, "an apostle, not from men nor by men, but by Jesus Christ." But the general lesson is on the unofficial service of Christians to others. Officialism often brings Christianity into suspicion. The genuine service of private Christians is always of value and always an evidence of the Spirit of Obrist. II. THE HOPEFULNESS OF THE ACT OF PBAYEB. The good disciple is directed to go to Saul, "for behold, he prayeth ! " A pregnant word by which to describe the condition of a converted sinner. He prays; therefore he is no longer a persecutor of Jesus, but a captive of his grace, subject of his love. He prays; therefore his heart is emptied of its former hate towards the brethren, and is filled with meekness and charity. The expression also betokens the gracious mind of the speaker. The Lord looks down with pity on the broken heart prostrate before him in prayer. And the Church are in like manner to turn to him, as one though lost yet found, no longer a foe but a friend. "Behold, he prays I " III. 'l.'m;: IMPBESSIONS ATTENDING CONVE"BSION. Saul has seen the messenger of Christ coming in and laying his hands on him that he may receive his sight. It is by its associations that any great event in the outward world or in the mind fixes itself on the memory, Paul was to look back upon those days as an inexhaustible fund of deepest spiritual impressions. He shall be able to say, u I received my office as apostle not from man but from Jesus Christ." He shall be for ever cured of his Pharisaic wi~dom and pride of the flesh. He was not reasoned into Christianity, but the living Christ was revealed in him, in ways too manifold and various to be mistaken. IV. THE STARTLING CHANGE OFTEN INVOLVED IN CONVERSION. Ananias hesitates. The acts of men are standing evidence of their disposition. What safer guide can we have? Yet the Divine voice quells the hesitation of Ananias. Saul is a chosen vessel, instrument, or tool, fashioned by the Divine hand and for the Divine purposes. In the mysterious world of the human heart all things are possible to God-even as elsewhere. The volcanic fire which is working beneath the convulsions of the earthquake is a formative as well as a destructive agent, The passionate outbreaks of a man against 11, principle or e. party are often a sign of internal change going on. Saul was to be fashioned as an instrument for the greatest work, perhaps, ever committed to man- the bearing of the Name, i.e. the message and doctrine of Christ to the Gentiles, to confront and shake the powers of the world with the power of the crucified One. Such a missionary must need no common training. He must have known the depths of the evil of his own heart, the heights of redeeming grace. 1.'hat Chl'ist could conquer the proud and stubborn Pharisee, and turn Saul into Paul, was a prophecy of the nature of his progressive conquests over mankind. V. CHRIST'S CHOSEN ONE CllOSEN FOR SUFFERING. (Ver.16.) Christ will show the newly called, not what thing-d he is to enjoy, what honours he is to reap, but what things he must suffer, Never was prophet called of God without some adumbration of_ future suffering, of struggJ,3 painful to flesh and _blood. With us all there is so~e- thmg awful and repellent in the forms of du~y. It 1s the 11 stem daughter of the v01ce of God." Yet in obedience alone can we enjoy true freedom and the presence of God in the soul And the greater the strength given, the greater will be the struggie&  THE ACTS OF TIIE APOSTLES. [OH, IX, 1--48,