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The Acts of the Apostles
is called Straight,” the heavenly messenger said, “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.”
Ananias could scarcely credit the words of the angel; for the reports
of Saul’s bitter persecution of the saints at Jerusalem had spread far
and wide. He presumed to expostulate: “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 command was imperative: “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.”
Obedient to the direction of the angel, Ananias sought out the
man who had but recently breathed out threatenings against all who
believed on the name of Jesus; and putting his hands on the head of
the penitent sufferer, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that
appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou
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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.”
Thus Jesus gave sanction to the authority of His organized church
and placed Saul in connection with His appointed agencies on earth.
Christ had now a church as His representative on earth, and to it
belonged the work of directing the repentant sinner in the way of life.
Many have an idea that they are responsible to Christ alone for
their light and experience, independent of His recognized followers on
earth. Jesus is the friend of sinners, and His heart is touched with their
woe. He has all power, both in heaven and on earth; but He respects
the means that He has ordained for the enlightenment and salvation of
men; He directs sinners to the church, which He has made a channel
of light to the world.
When, in the midst of his blind error and prejudice, Saul was given
a revelation of the Christ whom he was persecuting, he was placed in
direct communication with the church, which is the light of the world.
In this case Ananias represents Christ, and also represents Christ’s
ministers upon the earth, who are appointed to act in His stead. In
Christ’s stead Ananias touches the eyes of Saul, that they may receive
sight. In Christ’s stead he places his hands upon him, and, as he prays