Who was Ananias in Acts 9 and why did the Lord appear to him about Saul?
Ananias was a believing Jew in Damascus whom the Lord from glory approached supernaturally. The Lord warned him that Saul of Tarsus was in town and would come to his house. When Ananias objected because Saul persecuted the saints, the Lord told him Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name to Gentiles, kings, and Israel.
Les explains that Acts 9:13 finds Ananias in Damascus, a believing Jew whom the Lord from glory approached supernaturally. The Lord warned him that Saul of Tarsus was in town and would come to his house. Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard by many of this man how much evil he hath done to the saints of Jerusalem' through persecution, and that in Damascus he had authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Jesus' name as Messiah. The Lord replied, 'Go thy way,' telling Ananias not to argue, for Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles first, and kings, and the children of Israel. Les also notes that God told Ananias, while Saul was still recovering from his road experience, 'I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.' Les connects this to the question of why bad things happen to good people.
Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
More Questions
How did Ananias respond when the Lord told him about Saul?
Ananias answered the Lord by saying he had heard from many how much evil Saul had done to the saints in Jerusalem by persecuting them.
What was Ananias's objection to the Lord about Saul in Acts 9:13?
Ananias answered the Lord by objecting that he had heard from many how much evil Saul had done to the saints of Jerusalem through persecuting them.