The early churchDiscipleServant of the LordInstrument for healing and the gift of the Holy Spirit1st century AD
Ananias was a devout disciple living in Damascus, known for his good testimony among the city's Jewish population and his faithfulness to the law. Through a vision he received a direct commission from the risen Lord to go to Straight Street and seek out Saul of Tarsus, who had been knocked to the ground and blinded on the way to Damascus. Although Ananias feared Saul's reputation as a ruthless persecutor of believers, he chose to obey the Lord's voice. When he laid hands on Saul, his sight was restored and he was filled with the Holy Spirit. Then Ananias baptized him and delivered God's calling: Saul was chosen as an instrument to carry the Lord's name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Ananias' courageous obedience thus became a key moment in salvation history – without his willingness to serve, the transition from persecutor Saul to apostle Paul might have looked completely different.
Key events
Received a vision from the Lord
The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision and told him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street to find Saul of Tarsus, who was praying.
Ananias expressed his fear of Saul because of the harm he had done to the saints in Jerusalem, but the Lord assured him that Saul was a chosen instrument to carry the Lord's name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel.
15But the Lord said to him, "Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
Ananias entered the house, laid his hands on Saul, and said: 'Saul, brother, the Lord Jesus has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.' Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes. Saul regained his sight, got up, and was baptized.
17So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
When Paul later told the crowd in Jerusalem about his conversion, he described Ananias as a devout man who lived according to the law and had a good reputation among all the Jews in Damascus. Ananias had conveyed God's call to him to be a witness for all people.