Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear His voice. Then he said,This phrase introduces the words of Ananias, a devout man according to the law, who was sent by God to restore Saul's sight and deliver God's message to him. Ananias's role highlights the importance of obedience to God's direction, even when it involves reaching out to someone like Saul, who was known for persecuting Christians. Act 26:16 But get up and stand on your feet. For I have appeared… ‘The God of our fathers This phrase connects Saul's experience to the God of Israel, emphasizing continuity with the Jewish faith. It underscores that the God who called Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob is the same God who is now calling Saul. This connection is crucial for understanding the fulfillment of God's promises through Jesus Christ and the inclusion of the Gentiles in God's plan. Act 3:13 The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers… has appointed you The term "appointed" indicates a divine selection or commissioning. Saul's calling was not of his own choosing but was a sovereign act of God. This mirrors the calling of prophets in the Old Testament, such as Jeremiah, who was appointed by God before birth (Jeremiah 1:5). Jer 1:5 Before I formed you in the womb I knew you… to know His will Knowing God's will is central to the life of a believer. For Saul, this meant understanding the gospel and his role in spreading it. This aligns with the broader biblical theme that God reveals His will to those He calls, as seen in Romans 12:2, where believers are encouraged to discern God's will. Col 1:9 we have not stopped praying for you and asking God… and to see the Righteous One "The Righteous One" is a title for Jesus Christ, emphasizing His sinlessness and fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies about the Messiah. Saul's vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus was a pivotal moment, confirming Jesus' resurrection and divine nature. This encounter is a type of theophany, similar to Moses' encounter with God in the burning bush (Exodus 3). Act 7:52 Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute?… and to hear His voice. Hearing the voice of Jesus was a direct revelation and commissioning for Saul. This experience parallels the calling of other biblical figures, such as Samuel, who heard God's voice in the temple (1 Samuel 3). It signifies a personal relationship and communication with God, which is foundational for Saul's future ministry as Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles. Heb 3:7 Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear…”… Persons / Places / Events 1. Paul (formerly Saul)The apostle who is recounting his conversion experience and divine calling in this chapter. 2. Ananias A devout man according to the law, who was sent by God to restore Paul's sight and deliver God's message to him. 3. The God of our fathers Refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God's work from the Old Testament to the New Testament. 4. The Righteous One A title for Jesus Christ, highlighting His sinlessness and fulfillment of Messianic prophecies. 5. Paul's Conversion The event on the road to Damascus where Paul encountered Jesus and was transformed from a persecutor of Christians to a devoted apostle. Teaching Points Divine AppointmentGod has a specific purpose and calling for each believer, just as He did for Paul. We should seek to understand and fulfill our divine appointments. Knowing God's Will Understanding God's will is central to our faith journey. This involves prayer, studying Scripture, and being sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance. Encountering Jesus Like Paul, we are called to have a personal encounter with Jesus, the Righteous One. This encounter transforms our lives and aligns us with God's purposes. Hearing God's Voice Listening to God's voice is crucial for spiritual growth. We should cultivate a lifestyle of listening through prayer, meditation, and obedience to His Word. Continuity of God's Plan Recognize the continuity of God's redemptive plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament, affirming the faithfulness of the God of our fathers. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Paul's experience of being appointed by God challenge or inspire your understanding of your own calling?2. In what ways can you actively seek to know God's will in your daily life? 3. Reflect on a time when you have encountered Jesus in a transformative way. How did it change your perspective or actions? 4. What practices can you implement to better hear and discern God's voice in your life? 5. How does understanding the continuity of God's plan from the Old Testament to the New Testament strengthen your faith? Connections to Other Scriptures Acts 9:15-16This passage provides the initial account of Paul's calling, where God tells Ananias that Paul is a chosen instrument to carry His name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. Galatians 1:15-16 Paul speaks of being set apart from birth and called by God's grace to reveal His Son in him, aligning with the divine appointment mentioned in Acts 22:14. Isaiah 53:11 Refers to the "Righteous One" who will justify many, connecting to the Messianic prophecy fulfilled in Jesus. John 14:6 Jesus declares Himself as the way, the truth, and the life, which aligns with Paul's calling to know God's will and see the Righteous One. People Ananias, Gamaliel, Paul, Saul, StephenPlaces Cilicia, Damascus, Jerusalem, Nazareth, TarsusTopics Appointed, Beforehand, Choose, Chosen, Ear, Fathers, Forefathers, Marked, Mouth, Purpose, Righteous, Shouldest, Shouldst, Speak, Upright, Utterance, VoiceDictionary of Bible Themes Acts 22:14 2072 Christ, righteousness 5944 self-defence 5159 hearing Library Rome Protects Paul'And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the Temple, I was in a trance; 18. And saw Him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning Me. 19. And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on Thee: 20. And when the blood of Thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them … Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture: The Acts Paul on his Own Conversion Being Easily Entreated Some Scriptures for Daily Practise. What is God's Will? Beyond the Brightness of the Sun Early Life the Place of Paul +The Man Jerusalem to Rome Jesus the Guest of Martha and Mary. From Antioch to the Destruction of Jerusalem. Divine Calls. Baptism, a Divinely Appointed Means of Grace. Third Stage of the Roman Trial. Pilate Reluctantly Sentences Him to Crucifixion. The Prodigal Son. Of the Prerogatives which the Elect Shall Enjoy in Heaven. How to Make Use of Christ for Cleansing of us from Our Daily Spots. The Nature of Justification The Birth of Jesus Proclaimed by Angels to the Shepherds. The Lord of Glory. Of Baptism. The Jews Make all Ready for the War; and Simon, the Son of Gioras, Falls to Plundering. 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