Lesson 2743

(Lesson 2743)(06-28-19) Acts 9:10-18
    “And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”

   Today’s quote relates that upon God’s command, Ananias, an obedient disciple of Christ, although he was clearly afraid because of the cruel way Saul had treated his Christian brothers and sisters, went to obey the command God had shown him in a vision.
    Yesterday I expressed the importance of remembering why Saul was sent to Damascus. And today’s quote makes that purpose very clear. Saul was to have his sight restored AND TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST.
    When Ananias found Saul, by laying his hands upon him, Ananias restored Saul's sight as God had commanded. Once again, the Holy Ghost appears to have been imparted by the laying on of hands; However, when Ananias laid his hands upon Saul, the only thing that happened was that the scales fell from his eyes. The quote clearly says that after Saul had received his sight, he “arose and was baptized”. 
     The importance of remembering what Saul was to learn is because many so-called Christians, erroneously believe that the word “baptized”, as it is applied in today’s quote, refers to a water ritual. In truth, the baptism that Saul experienced after Ananias had laid his hands upon him, was the baptism of the Holy Ghost. That same baptism of the Holy Ghost that John the baptist said Jesus would administer for those who would believe in Him. “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He will baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:” (Matthew 3:11)
    So far as I have been able to find, NONE of the fourteen men that were chosen to be apostles were ever baptized in water. ~