Acts 9:17
“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’”
If you have the time, go to your Internet browser and type in your own name. It may surprise you to discover the number of people in the United States who have the same name as you.
There are two men mentioned in the book of Acts by the name of Ananias. The first man with that name was mentioned in Acts, chapter five, when a man by the name of Ananias and his wife Sapphira sold a piece of land. They acted deceitfully and brought only a portion of the proceeds to the disciples but made it appear to be the full amount they had received. The result was their deaths.
The other man by the name of Ananias lived in Damascus. He was a true disciple, one who could be counted upon for a difficult task. In a vision the Lord told him to go to Straight Street where he would find a man named Saul who was blind and who was praying. He was to lay hands on him that he might receive his sight. This Ananias knew who this man Saul was and that he was an enemy who had been sent to persecute Christians. Putting his fear aside, Ananias went and did as the Lord had told him.
Think of what a difference that one man Saul has made to the entire world! Two men with the same name. One ended in death and the other brought sight and salvation.
May God richly bless you as you bless others by your words and actions!
– – – Pastor Cecil