Paul

The first time we read about Saul, he is looking after the coats of those who are stoning Stephen, the first Christian martyr of record.

And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul. Acts 7:58

Saul, a Pharisee (a major religious sect of the Jews), was educated in the Law of Moses. During Jesus' ministry on earth, the Pharisees, made many futile attempts to find error with His teaching (Mark 12:13). Many times, these Jewish leaders made attempts on Jesus' life (Luke 4:28-29). The Pharisees were directly involved in securing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Paul, being a devout defender of, what he perceived to be, God's will, likewise, sought to destroy any who were of "the way" (Acts 9:2) of Jesus' teachings.

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Acts 9:1-2

Saul, having received letters of permission from the high priest, was proceeding to Damascus to find more men and women of "this way", when the Lord speaks to Saul from heaven........

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Acts 9:3-7

After Saul's astonishing introduction to the Lord, he receives these instructions from Jesus: "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do". Acts 9:6

It should be noted at this point: There are questions as to just what exactly Jesus was referencing when He said: "It shall be told thee what thou must do." Some say Jesus was referencing "only those things" that he would do in his service to Jesus, after "having been saved" on the road to Damascus. Another contention is that Saul was "not yet in a saved relationship", and thus, would be told what he must do to be saved, along with his service requirements to the Lord, after going to the city. We believe these questions are answered satisfactorily further in this study; however, we want you to begin considering this.

Ananias, a disciple in Damascus, received a message from the Lord, in a vision, to go meet with Saul at Judas' house on Straight street. The Lord told Ananias that Saul was praying, and had also seen, in a vision, Ananias putting his hand on him so that he would receive his sight. Initially, Ananias was concerned because of Saul's previous cruel treatment of Christians; but Jesus assured Ananias that Saul was chosen for great works and sufferings for His Name's sake.

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. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire 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. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Acts 9:10-16

Ananias entered into the house where Saul was, and told Saul that he was there to put his hands upon him so that he would receive his sight and that he may be filled with the Holy Ghost. After Saul received his sight, he arose and was baptized.

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts 9:17-18

Let's recall the words of Jesus to Saul, as He spoke to him on the road to Damascus: And the Lord said unto him, "Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." From this command of the Lord, while on the Damascus road, we see that there were further instructions awaiting Saul after he arrived in the city. It can be safely assumed that Ananias is the chosen messenger of God from whom Saul would receive these instructions, because of the carefully arranged meeting, by the Lord, between Ananias and Saul (Acts 9:10-16). We cannot, however, safely surmise Ananias' instruction to Saul from just the account found in Acts 9:1-18. In this passage of scripture, Ananias only tells Saul what he (Ananias) is going to do; we never actually see his instruction to Saul. To examine this instruction, we must go to Paul's re-telling of the events of his conversion found in Acts 22. There, we will see the term, "calling upon the name of the Lord", used by Ananias and Paul.