Snoopy Approaches Acts

[paradox3]

Anyone think this story echoes Jesus and John the Baptist?

It is a strong beginning to the narrative of Saul/ Paul. When does he get his name change? It must be coming up soon

 

[Mendalla]

Anyone think this story echoes Jesus and John the Baptist?

I don't know. John never healed Jesus, just proclaimed him. The healing adds an additional wrinkle. It's really stage 2 of Saul's conversion, whereas there was no conversion in the Jesus-John event, just John recognizing Jesus for who he was. I guess it can be read that way but I think the healing and conversion elements really make this scene it's own thing.

I think the description of "Scales falling from his eyes" is interesting. Has that description of healing blindness appeared before? It seems symbolic of both the Lord putting some actual barrier to his sight that Ananias removed and also Saul being "healed" (removing the barrier keeping him from Christ) of his spiritual blindness, leading to him accepting baptism.

When does he get his name change?

Actually, not sure. I thought it was after this event but perhaps not. Another symbol of that change in him regardless of where it happens in the narrative.

 

[unsafe]

So we see in today's scripture ===that God speaks to his Disciple Ananias in a vision ----

There is not much said about this disciple so we don't know much about him except he is a disciple who is in Damascus --and gets a vision from God--- and shows a bit of hesitation to obey God's command of him to go to and lay hands on Saul who was a violent persecutor of God's people -----

Ananias tells God of who this man Saul really is ----and God has to reassure him that He has chosen this man for His purpose to bear His name before the Gentiles --kings and descendants of Israel ---and God says He will assure Sau

l of the how much he will be afflicted and how much he must endure and and suffer in my name ----

God tells Ananias that Saul also had a vision ---to got to Ananias in Damascus and he will lay hand on you so you might regain his sight ----

We see in verse 11 AMPC --God gives Ananias specific instructions -----there is no confusion given here ---the instructions are clear and concise ----

11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight and ask at the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying [there].

Ananias leaves and Obeys God's instructions -----very important ----as he overcomes his hesitation to be in Saul's presents ---

verse 17 AMPC ----is important here as

17 So Ananias left and went into the house. And he laid his hands on Saul and said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

As Ananias lays hands on Saul he says ---

the Lord Jesus, Who appeared to you along the way by which you came here, has sent me that you may recover your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.

So Jesus is the Healer here for Saul's sight being restored to remove Spiritual blindness ---not Ananias laying on of hands was symbolic --

From Google
People also ask
What is the symbolism and significance behind the laying on of hands?

The laying on of hands as a symbolic act ranges throughout the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation. It always bears the connotation of an act of sharing or of bestowal, most often in the bestowal of blessing in one form or another

AI
the act of Ananias laying hands on Saul in Acts 9:17 was symbolic.

verse 18 ---

18 And instantly something like scales fell from [Saul’s] eyes, and he recovered his sight. Then he arose and was baptized


I say ----------Saul's total transformation is now accomplished ----he not only has the indwelling of the Holy Spirit ---He is now Filled with the Holy Spirit --Equipped to do God's will and bring all people ----Jews and Gentiles alike --who accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour back into His Divine fold through adoption ----


This word scales here is used metaphorically ----

Strong's Greek: 3013. λεπίς (lepis) -- Scale

Topical Lexicon
Pictorial Force of the Metaphor
In everyday life of the ancient Mediterranean world, scales were common on fish, reptiles, and even on forged metal.
Their layered translucence provided an apt picture for anything that covered or impeded clear vision.

When Luke reports that “something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight” (Acts 9:18), he draws on a familiar visual to convey both a physical and spiritual unveiling.

The Sole New Testament Occurrence (Acts 9:18)

Luke positions the detail immediately after Ananias lays hands on Saul and calls on him to be filled with the Holy Spirit. The falling of the “scales” signals a literal healing, but it simultaneously declares that Saul’s inner eyes have been opened to the truth of Jesus Christ.
The narrative joins two restorations—bodily sight and spiritual insight—into one dramatic moment, showing that God’s saving work addresses the whole person.

Theological Significance

Removal of Blindness

Scripture often portrays unbelief as blindness (Isaiah 42:18–20; John 9:39–41; 2 Corinthians 4:4).

The scales on Saul’s eyes encapsulate the hard, opaque barrier of unbelief.

Their sudden shedding dramatizes the moment God removes the veil (2 Corinthians 3:16), illustrating regeneration as an act of divine grace rather than human effort.


I say
This is not taught in Modern Day Churches Folks --and it is sad as this is so important for people to learn and grasp -----in my opinion ---

To understand the Spiritual Realm --you need that veil removed from your eyes -----the veil is the covering that holds Spiritual blindness in place and Satan wants that veil to remain -----and God wants it removed -------- receiving Jesus is the only way to have that veil torn from your eyes ----we choose------to keep the veil on or remove it ----


Saul then eats and was strengthened -----and remains with Ananias for a bit -----

When does he get his name change? It must be coming up soon

I don't think he really has a name change ----I think if you do some research you will find that he uses His Hebrew name Saul ---when speaking to Jewish people and uses Paul when speaking to the Gentile people ----

The Greek name for Saul is Paul -----so he uses his name interchangeably depending on the audience he is speaking to -----

AI


. In the Bible, the Greek name for Saul is Paul. Saul is the Hebrew name, and Paul is the Greek name, which he adopted after his conversion experience. It's not that he changed his name, but rather he started using his Greek name, Paul, more prominently when his ministry shifted towards the Gentiles.

Strong's Greek: 4569. Σαῦλος (Saulos) -- Saul

the New Testament exclusively by the man later known as Paul. Acts 13:9 records, “Saul, who was also called Paul,” indicating a dual naming that reflects both his Jewish heritage and his Roman citizenship.

 

[Mendalla]

In the Bible, the Greek name for Saul is Paul. Saul is the Hebrew name, and Paul is the Greek name, which he adopted after his conversion experience. It's not that he changed his name, but rather he started using his Greek name, Paul, more prominently when his ministry shifted towards the Gentiles.

LOL. Makes perfect sense. I should have paid more attention in Greek class in university, I guess.

 

[Waterfall]

There are 3 versions of Paul's conversion in Acts......all slightly different.

Since Paul actually wrote Galatians.....his own words in Galatians 1:15-16 tell us about his conversion and that it was an inner revelation from God.

 

[paradox3]

"Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were disciples before me" says Paul in Galatians (1:17). "Right away I departed to Arabia, then returned to Damascus."

This is a different version of the story than the account in Acts.

 

[unsafe]

Since Paul actually wrote Galatians.....his own words in Galatians 1:15-16 tell us about his conversion and that it was an inner revelation from God.

this is from the ERV ---He is not saying he had an inner revelation form God here Waterfall

Galatians 1:15-17
​

15 But God had special plans for me even before I was born. So he chose me through his grace.

this verse here -----
God had special plans for me even before I was born.

Paul was in God's plan before the foundation of this world to be of Service to God ----Paul was predestined to preach to the Gentiles ---but his Conversion was not in the womb ----
it was much later in his life after persecuting many of God's people ----

Some people in God's plan were predestined to be in their positions -----Jeremiah was predestined before he was in the womb --Jeremiah 1:5 ---Pharaoh was predestined before he was in the womb Romans 9:17

16 It pleased him to let me see and know his Son so that I could tell the Good News about him to the non-Jewish people.
I immediately prepared to do this work without asking for advice or help from anyone.

Paul is just not giving all the details to this group he is addressing ---God did choose Saul through His Grace ----and he tells them that it pleased God to let him see and know His Son -and that is how Paul was saved---- through seeing Jesus and he know right away that he was the Lord -----

He is Addressing mostly Gentiles here ---so for him to go into big details about his conversion would have probably scared them off ---so he is being cautious with his details here ----they would not have understood the happening to Paul ----

AI Overview

In Galatians 1, Paul is primarily addressing Gentile Christians.

 

[paradox3]

Could be that as time went on, Paul felt less need to get into all the details of his conversion.

It could also be that the spectacular details were more significant to the author of Luke/ Acts than to Paul himself.

The accounts in Acts and Galatians differ concerning Paul's return to Jerusalem and his interactions with the twelve.

 

[unsafe]

t could also be that the spectacular details were more significant to the author of Luke/ Acts than to Paul himself.

I think your right here ---as in Acts 9 --Luke is giving and describing the account of Saul's conversion ----in the other accounts Paul himself is giving his account of his conversion --he is trying to validate his Apostleship which is vital to his Ministry and bearing the truth of The Way --- or Christianity----

AI

• Connecting with Different Audiences:
  The details of the conversion story vary slightly in each account, likely due to the specific audience and purpose of each speech. When speaking to the Jewish crowd, he emphasizes his Jewish credentials and the role of Ananias, a devout Jew, in his conversion. When speaking to Roman officials, he focuses on the miraculous nature of his experience and his claim that he was not acting against Rome.
  
  
• Continuous Transformation:
  Paul's conversion experience wasn't a one-time event but a continuous process of spiritual growth and transformation. He often refers to his past actions with regret and acknowledges his ongoing struggle to live out his faith, demonstrating that conversion is an ongoing journey.
  

In essence, Paul's conversion narrative is not merely a personal anecdote but a powerful theological argument that establishes his authority, validates his faith, and connects his Jewish heritage to his Christian mission.

 

[Waterfall]

I do wonder why the author of Acts mildly contradicts himself 3 times in Acts.

 

[Waterfall]

He is Addressing mostly Gentiles here ---so for him to go into big details about his conversion would have probably scared them off ---so he is being cautious with his details here ----they would not have understood the happening to Paul ----

But isnt this only speculation on your part that the other explanation for his conversion in Acts would "scare them off".

 

[unsafe]

But isnt this only speculation on your part

You right there for sure ---

 

[paradox3]

I do wonder why the author of Acts mildly contradicts himself 3 times in Acts.

Yes, I wonder that as well.

Is it okay if we hold off on discussing the contradictions until we arrive at the other two chapters?

 

[Waterfall]

Yes, I wonder that as well.

Is it okay if we hold off on discussing the contradictions until we arrive at the other two chapters?

Of course.

 

[unsafe]

I do wonder why the author of Acts mildly contradicts himself 3 times in Acts.

But do they really contradict themselves ----that is the real question -----

Or could it be that the people who think the bible contains contradictions just want to discredit Scripture without doing any research to actually understand why there might be a variation in the certain Scripture they are reading ----

Understanding why there are differences in Scripture need research ----and understanding the Hebrew and Greek words used by looking them up to see see the meaning in that piece of Scripture ---like Flesh ---means your skin --but it is also used to demote a way of thinking -----
AI Overview


While there are variations in the three accounts of Paul's conversion in the Book of Acts (chapters 9, 22, and 26), these variations do not constitute contradictions.

Some differences can be reconciled by understanding that the accounts focus on different aspects of the experience and are tailored to different audiences.

This can be explained by the fact that the Greek word for "hear" can mean both to perceive sound and to understand, and that the companions may have seen the light without fully comprehending its source or meaning.



So here is an example ----Acts 9 say that Saul fell to the ground ----

Acts 26:14 says ---We all fell to the ground ------

So do some research and what do you find ----

the we in Acts 26 :14 -----Greek word for -----WE ---here is --check for yourself click on we

Lexical Summary
egó: I, me

NASB: myself, mine, ours, ourselves, have, part, number
Word Origin: [a primary pronoun]

. (emphatically, of the first person) I


So Acts 26:14 says the same as Acts 9 ---Saul --I fell to the ground


Now it says ------we-------all -------fell to the ground ----

So what does ----ALL ---- mean here in this scripture ----

Lexical Summary
pas: All, every, whole, entire

Acts 26:14; one: in the singular,without any addition,


So here again we see that ---all ----means ---Saul fell ---not the other men ----so it says the same as Acts 9

So where is the contradiction ----after research ----there is none -----both say the same thing

It is so important Folks to do your research and look up the words in the Scripture your reading ---as the words mean differ things in different scriptures ------

 

[unsafe]

parodox3 ------so sorry ------just saw your post about waiting on contradictions after I posted what I wrote ----my bad

 

[paradox3]

No worries @unsafe. You're prepared for the material when we get there.

 

[paradox3]

Acts 9: 20-25

Bible Gateway passage: Acts 9:20-25 - New English Translation

and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This man is the Son of God.” All who heard him were amazed and were saying, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem was ravaging those who call on this name, and who had come here to bring them as prisoners to the chief...

www.biblegateway.com

Saul remains in Damascus and begins proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues. All who hear him are amazed! How Saul has changed!

He becomes more & more capable and he causes consternation among the Jews. The Jews plot to kill him and Saul learns he is in danger.

His disciples take him at night and help him escape. He is lowered in a basket and gets out through an opening in the wall.

 

[paradox3]

We know that second temple Judaism will eventually split into Christianity and rabbinic Judaism.

Acts 9 suggests it won't all be smooth sailing.

Here in Acts, I keep hearing echoes of gospel stories. Not saying they are identical, of course.

Today I am reminded of Jesus slipping away unnoticed through the crowds.

 

[Mendalla]

His disciples take him at night and help him escape. He is lowered in a basket and gets out through an opening in the wall.

Now this sounds like a more interesting jailbreak movie.