Good Witness

Acts 22:12 -13 “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. 13 He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.”
 
PAUL continued to testify to Jesus’ transforming power. Notice his very specific language that Ananias a very devout and highly respected Jew in Damascus came to him. Remember the Jews claimed Paul taught against our people and our law (Acts 21:28). To refute the charge, Paul attempted to show that honorable Jews were instrumental in God’s call on his life. Respected witnesses increase the value of one’s testimony.
   Then Ananias, this devout respected man, did something even devout men did not do. He went to Paul and said, “Brother Saul, receive your sight!”
   Paul’s testimony, “At that very moment I was able to see him.” would have shocked his listeners. After all, John 9 tells us the hard-minded Pharisees and Sanhedrin had rejected the obvious sign of Jesus healing a blind man. Sin-captured minds fail to see even the obvious signs of God’s remarkable love for us.   
 
You Are the Same as Paul
 
Acts 22:14 “Then Ananias said: ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.’”
 
THIS is a very powerful testimony to authenticate Paul as an apostle – a personal messenger – for Jesus Christ. God’s word to Paul was that he would see and talk to the Righteous One – the Messiah. Think of the impact this would have had on Paul! A few days before that event Paul had been violently seeking death for people who believed Jesus of Nazareth is the Righteous One. Paul “knew” Jesus was a dead blasphemer properly executed for his crimes.
   But then the man who had spoken healing into his eyes shocked Paul, “You will see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth.”
   Ananias had then told him how his life would completely change: “You will be his witness to all men of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:15-16)
   Dear Christian, do you know this is about you, too? If you say, “I am a Christian.” you will see the Righteous One, your Savior, with your eyes of faith. Through the Spirit’s quickening, you will hear words from his mouth, as the Bible reveals his commands.
   Jesus calls you, also, to be his witness to all people. Tell them what you have seen and heard about Jesus. When the Lord comes to you, you must get up and go where he commands you.   
   As we read of the apostles’ lives, we must be mindful they were real people God transformed into faithful men. Through their struggles they learned the joy of their loving relationship with Jesus. This is Jesus’ desire for you now and forever.