Straight Street
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Biblical Reference:
Straight Street is mentioned in the New Testament in the Book of Acts. It is specifically referenced in Acts 9:11, where the Lord instructs Ananias in a vision to go to this street in Damascus to find Saul of Tarsus, who would later become the Apostle Paul.

Scriptural Context:
In Acts 9:11 , the Lord says to Ananias, "Get up and go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying." This directive is part of the larger narrative of Saul's conversion. Saul, known for his persecution of Christians, encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus and is struck blind. During this time, he is led to Damascus, where he stays on Straight Street, awaiting further revelation from God.

Historical and Geographical Context:
Straight Street, known in Greek as "Rhodos," is one of the oldest streets in Damascus, Syria. It was a main thoroughfare in the ancient city, running from east to west. The street's name reflects its direct and linear path, which was a notable feature in the otherwise winding and narrow streets typical of ancient cities. The street's significance in the biblical narrative underscores its prominence in the city of Damascus during the first century.

Theological Significance:
The account of Straight Street is pivotal in the account of Saul's transformation into Paul, a key figure in the spread of Christianity. The street serves as the setting for a divine encounter that changes the course of Christian history. Ananias's obedience to God's command to visit Saul on Straight Street exemplifies faith and courage, as he approaches a man known for his hostility towards Christians. This event highlights themes of redemption, divine intervention, and the transformative power of God's grace.

Symbolic Interpretation:
Straight Street can be seen as symbolic of the "straight path" that Saul is set upon following his conversion. The street represents a turning point, where Saul's spiritual blindness is healed, and he receives his mission to preach the Gospel to the Gentiles. This aligns with the biblical theme of God making "crooked paths straight" (Isaiah 40:4), signifying the rectification and guidance provided by divine intervention.

Cultural and Religious Impact:
The account of Straight Street and Saul's conversion is a powerful testament to the reach of God's grace and the potential for transformation in even the most unlikely individuals. It serves as an encouragement to believers that no one is beyond the reach of God's love and purpose. The narrative also emphasizes the importance of obedience and faithfulness in the Christian walk, as demonstrated by Ananias's willingness to follow God's command despite personal risk.

Straight Street remains a significant location for Christian pilgrims and scholars, symbolizing the profound change that can occur when one encounters the living Christ.
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Straight Street

STRAIGHT STREET

strat stret.

See DAMASCUS.

Strong's Hebrew
6440. panim -- face, faces
... partial, person, + please, presence, propect, was purposed, by reason of, + regard,
right forth, + serve, X shewbread, sight, state, straight, + street, X thee ...
/hebrew/6440.htm - 8k
Library

Port of Spain
... them on the right the Roman Catholic Cathedral, a stately building, with Palmistes
standing as tall sentries round; soon you go up a straight street, with a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter iv port of spain.htm

Paul's First Prayer
... pray, then it was that Jesus from heaven descended, came in a vision to Ananias,
and said, "Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 1 1855/pauls first prayer.htm

The Life of Mr. James Mitchel.
... which he let him go; he stepped down the wynd, and up Steven Law's closs, went into
a house, changed his cloaths, and came straight to the street, as being the ...
/.../howie/biographia scoticana scots worthies/the life of mr james 5.htm

His Journey to South Russia.
... The villages are all built on the same pattern, being formed of one straight street
of neat houses on both sides, adorned with trees in front and gardens behind ...
/.../chapter xix his journey to.htm

The Call Intensified
... got this photograph that day in December which we spent in the friendly Brahman
street. ... stood against the wall for a moment, and looked at the camera straight. ...
/.../wilson-carmichael/things as they are/chapter xviii the call intensified.htm

The Young Titus
... "Follow this street unto one intersecting it on the summit of Zion. That will
be a broad street and a straight one, terminating on a bridge. ...
/.../miller/the city of delight/chapter ix the young titus.htm

The Reverent Dutch
... 15."The Episcopal Church is not quite so large as the chapel in West Street. ... the
left hand, or bows or courtesies to anyone; but all go straight forward to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/wesley/the journal of john wesley/the reverent dutch.htm

Grace Triumphant
... 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 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/grace triumphant.htm

It was a Great Delight to Diamond when at Length Nanny was Well ...
... If Nanny had been taken straight from the street, it is very probable she would
not have been so pleasant in a decent household, or so easy to teach; but after ...
/.../macdonald/at the back of the north wind/chapter 31 it was a.htm

Wesley Interviews Mrs. Pilkington
... the street, the rabble threw whatever came to hand; but all went by me or flew over
my head; nor do I remember that one thing touched me. I walked on straight ...
/.../wesley/the journal of john wesley/wesley interviews mrs pilkington.htm

Resources
What is orthopraxy/orthopraxis? | GotQuestions.org

How should Christians view Men Going Their Own Way (MGTOW)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to guard your heart? | GotQuestions.org

Straight: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Straight

Straight of Righteousness, "Straight Paths"

Straight Street

Straight: Name of a Street in Damascus

Related Terms

Right (4703 Occurrences)

Crooked (31 Occurrences)

Roads (34 Occurrences)

Straightway (96 Occurrences)

Disease (213 Occurrences)

Paths (65 Occurrences)

Street (54 Occurrences)

Straighten (4 Occurrences)

Aloud (141 Occurrences)

Esaias (18 Occurrences)

Directly (13 Occurrences)

Prepare (199 Occurrences)

Bend (29 Occurrences)

Damascus (58 Occurrences)

Wilderness (304 Occurrences)

Waste (668 Occurrences)

Wonder (148 Occurrences)

Smooth (39 Occurrences)

Level (31 Occurrences)

Guiding (69 Occurrences)

Got (764 Occurrences)

Direct (58 Occurrences)

Voice (651 Occurrences)

Calling (145 Occurrences)

Steps (113 Occurrences)

Crying (247 Occurrences)

Ahead (98 Occurrences)

Line (131 Occurrences)

Bent (107 Occurrences)

Cry (431 Occurrences)

Yoke (79 Occurrences)

Naive (16 Occurrences)

Juda (11 Occurrences)

Wayside (16 Occurrences)

Footsteps (30 Occurrences)

Touching (121 Occurrences)

Rod (138 Occurrences)

Reformation (24 Occurrences)

Rugged (7 Occurrences)

Rule (291 Occurrences)

Eagerly (36 Occurrences)

Ethiopia (26 Occurrences)

Diameter (1 Occurrence)

Devious (5 Occurrences)

Divide (71 Occurrences)

Planted (105 Occurrences)

Plane (5 Occurrences)

Cart (12 Occurrences)

Canon

Curve (1 Occurrence)

Aright (14 Occurrences)

Ahava (3 Occurrences)

Strike (168 Occurrences)

Square (94 Occurrences)

Straightened (4 Occurrences)

Samothrace (1 Occurrence)

Straightforward (7 Occurrences)

Ready (451 Occurrences)

Path (91 Occurrences)

Full (1047 Occurrences)

Desert (322 Occurrences)

Earliest (30 Occurrences)

Sail (32 Occurrences)

Shout (114 Occurrences)

Dress (38 Occurrences)

Rushing (61 Occurrences)

Brow (24 Occurrences)

Road (155 Occurrences)

Quickly (254 Occurrences)

Attention (236 Occurrences)

Course (87 Occurrences)

Ran (100 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Requesting (49 Occurrences)

Crieth (47 Occurrences)

Armed (147 Occurrences)

Dial (2 Occurrences)

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)

Straight Paths and Righteous Living
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