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Act 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on
him, that he might receive his sight.

God prepares both Saul, who will be prayed for, and Ananias, who does the praying. God in His
goodness verifies His will with both parties involved. God will do the same thing with Peter and
Cornelius when the new birth and infilling come to the city of Caesarea in chapter 10.

Distance does not bother the Lord. In matters of great importance, He will work over many
miles to verify His will.

Act 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:

Saul has saturated the city of Jerusalem with his evil toward believers, and his reputation has
spread to many cities. Ananias has also heard in advance of the coming persecution Saul is
bringing to the saints at Damascus.

Act 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

The answer Ananias gives is typical of many that God speaks to. He immediately begins to
expound on the circumstances from his human viewpoint. He informs God of the details as if
God is completely ignorant of the circumstances. In verses 15 and 16, God gives Ananias the
divine viewpoint.

ANANIAS OBEYS THE LORD’S COMMAND

Act 9:15 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:

God doesn’t give Ananias any more information. Even though Ananias is reluctant, God simply
instructs him to go.

Saul will “bear” the Lord’s name. The Greek word for “bear” is bastazo, which means to lift
with the hands a flag or standard. God reveals to Ananias something that will not be seen for
another 15 years: First, Saul (Paul) will carry the gospel to the Gentiles, Romans and Greeks.
Second, he will carry the gospel to kings, Nero and Agrippa. Finally, he will carry redemption to
the children of Israel, the religious leaders of Gentile capitals and Jerusalem.

God lists these according to their priority. God’s main call on Paul’s life is to carry the gospel to
the Gentiles. Paul will eventually become confused through pride and put ministering to the
Jewish people above ministering to the Gentiles. Because of it Paul will end up being
shipwrecked and thrown into prison for five years.

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