The Disciples of Christ
9 - The Characteristics of Ananias
Now we are going to look at the record of the man Ananias, a disciple from Damascus. His story is found in Acts chapter 9 verses 10 to 18, and in Acts chapter 22 verses 6 to 16. I recommend that you make a prayerful study of both these passages yourself at your leisure.
So, what can this godly man, Ananias, teach us today about discipleship in practice? To discover that, we’ll observe five things which characterised him as a disciple of Jesus Christ. First of all we see that he was a “Witnessing Disciple”. In Acts chapter 22 we have Paul’s account of his own wonderful conversion. He tells how during the three days after he was made blind by the brilliant light from heaven, he was visited by Ananias of Damascus. Now note carefully how Paul describes this disciple. "He was (says Paul), a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there." In other words he lived his life by God’s book, and earned the respect of his neighbours by his godly living. Let’s always remember the words of our Lord Jesus Christ in
Acts chapter 1 verse 8. He said to His disciples, who were about to witness His ascension into heaven, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Ananias was a good example in witnessing first in the place where he lived, so that all knew where his allegiance lay. So, we see that Ananias was a witnessing disciple.
The second thing we discover about this man Ananias is that he was a “Waiting Disciple”. In Acts chapter 9 verse 10 we read: "The Lord called to him in a vision - ‘Ananias!’ Yes, Lord, he answered." Another Bible version puts it this way: "Behold I am here Lord." I believe there’s another important lesson here for all who follow the Lord Jesus. We must make sure that we are available for the Lord when He wants us. It’s possible that sometimes we are so busy in our lives that when the Lord wants to use us in His service we can’t be found! It was not so with Ananias. He was waiting, ready and willing when the Lord called him. So, we see that Ananias was a “Waiting Disciple”.
Thirdly we discover that he was a “Wary Disciple”. In verse 11 of Acts chapter 9, we are told that the Lord told him to go to the house of one called Judas, and to ask for a man from Tarsus, named Saul, for he was praying. In verse 13 Ananias answers: "Lord, I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to saints in Jerusalem. He has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
Now I’m using the word ‘wary’ to describe Ananias because it means to be careful or guarded in one’s actions. There are times when, as disciples with the Lord’s work to do, we need to stop and think carefully, and consider the situation before we act. Someone has called this the practice of spiritual common-sense! We see then, that Ananias was a “Wary Disciple”.
Next, will you observe that Ananias was a “Willing Disciple”. Still in Acts 9 and at verse 15 we read: "But the Lord said to Ananias ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel." Will you note the strong commission of the Lord here - "GO!" No more questions or doubts! Ananias reacted immediately. Verse 17 tells us: "Then Ananias went to the house and entered it." Having received total assurance from the Lord, he was prepared willingly to comply. The Bible has many examples of those who showed willingness when the Lord called them. In Acts chapter 8 verse 26, Philip the evangelist was working for the Lord in Samaria. An angel appeared to him and told him to leave what he was doing and to go south to Gaza. Verse 27 says : "And he arose and went." As a result of his willingness an important statesman from Ethiopia was wonderfully converted. May you and I be prepared to respond readily to the Lord’s directives in our lives! I trust that you will be a willing disciple of Christ.
We come now to the fifth characteristic of this man Ananias, and we will discover that he was a “Warm Disciple”. Verse 17 of Acts chapter 9 says: "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, has sent me so that you may see again, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again."
What an occasion and experience for both of them! Ananias recognised in Saul a new babe in Christ who would need warmth and tender care. The lesson for us is clear. We all have the responsibility to help and encourage by love and example, those who are young in the faith. So, may you and I be warm disciples of our loving Master.