Ananias’s story is told in Acts 9:10-19; 22:12-16
Ananias – A Courageous Follower of Christ
When we think of big names in the Bible, people like Paul, Peter, or John often come to mind. But sometimes, it’s the lesser-known characters who make a big difference. One of those people is Ananias, a faithful believer whose short story in the book of Acts teaches us about courage, obedience, and trust in God.
Who Was Ananias?
Ananias was a follower of Jesus who lived in Damascus, a city in Syria. The Bible describes him as a devout and faithful man. He wasn’t one of the apostles or a well-known teacher. He was simply someone who believed in Jesus and lived out his faith.
God’s Call to Ananias
One day, God spoke to Ananias in a vision. He told him to go find a man named Saul who had recently come to Damascus. This wasn’t just any man—Saul was known for hunting down Christians and putting them in prison. Naturally, Ananias was afraid. He had heard about all the harm Saul had done.
But God had a plan. He told Ananias that Saul was now chosen to spread the good news of Jesus. God had already reached out to Saul in a powerful way, and now He wanted Ananias to help complete that work.
Ananias’ Obedience and Courage
Even though he was scared, Ananias obeyed God. He went to the house where Saul was staying, laid his hands on him, and said, “Brother Saul.” Those two words showed that Ananias accepted him as a fellow believer, even before seeing the full change in him.
At that moment, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. Ananias then baptized him. That act marked the beginning of Saul’s transformation into Paul, the man who would later become one of the most important leaders in the early church.
Ananias’ Impact
Ananias only appears briefly in the Bible, but his actions made a huge impact. Because he was willing to trust God and help someone who had once been dangerous, Paul was able to start his journey of faith. Ananias didn’t preach to thousands or write letters that ended up in the Bible, but his simple act of obedience changed the course of history.
Lessons from Ananias
Ananias’ story teaches us several important lessons:
- God can use anyone, no matter how ordinary they are.
- Obeying God isn’t always easy, but it’s always worth it.
- Showing grace and love to others, even when it’s hard, can change lives.
Conclusion
Ananias may not be a famous Bible hero, but he is a powerful example of faith in action. He listened to God, faced his fears, and helped someone who would go on to do amazing things for God’s kingdom. We may not always know how God will use us, but like Ananias, we can choose to say “yes” when He calls.