The Word of God is a bridge that connects Earth with Heaven and Heaven with Earth.- Joseph Elon Lillie
Well here we are for another discussion in the Book of Acts. I am so thankful to Anne and Debby for their thoughtful comments here over the last few sessions and I am looking forward to even more of you sharing their thoughts and questions today. If you have missed any of our sessions and wish to catch up go here https://josephelonlillie.com/pastor-wrinkles/house-on-fire/
Now on to today’s topic:
Acts 9:1-16 reads,
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3 As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
5 “Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked.
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. 6 “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
TELL ME:
How do you think God spoke to Ananias?
Do you think it was the same way he spoke to Saul?
How does God speak to you?
Lillie-Put 
Nice post. I think God can use diverse ways to talk to us…and sometimes He duplicates his message delivery style.
Yes He does. With me He sometimes has to use several different methods of speaking before I finally get it!
Amen!
Saul and his men saw a flash from heaven and heard the voice of the Lord. It was meant to get Saul’s attention and it knocked him to the ground and blinded him. His men didn’t see anyone. They didn’t know the Lord and they were frightened.
Ananias had a vision, which sounds like he saw the Lord as he spoke to him. He knew the Lord, and responded right away – “Yes, Lord.” He may not have liked the command he received, but Ananias listens (and he will obey).
Honestly, I believe the only truly trustworthy way God speaks to me is through His Word, the Bible. I do think He can use other ways, but He left His Word for a reason. It does not leave room for doubt.
I am always skeptical of people who believe that God speaks through them, like people who channel spirits. And, sometimes I think people believe God is telling them to do something, but really the person is just being driven by their own emotions. Clearly, in Acts, the Lord interacts directly with men. But, if we are not to add to His Word (Book of Revelation), I am led to question anyone who brings new messages from God.
Indeed when God speaks to men today (and I do believe he does) it certainly is not on the level of Scripture. You are correct about the admonition in Revelation. With that book the Old Testament prophecy was put in its context and its ultimate fulfillment explained. Any word we receive certainly has to be in line with the Scripture. I do believe that preaching is a form of prophetic utterance (or ought to be) and so even as a preacher exposits the Scripture he is doing so to help people apply the Word of God to their current circumstances. You are absolutely right the Word is the anchor for any other communication we receive from God.
I think God spoke to Ananias with a peaceful and comforting tone. God had to shock Saul and by making him blind for a few days would hopefully give him revelation to how those that do not know Him are walking through life blinded, physically and spiritually. I believe God ‘s tone definitely changed from Saul to Ananias, sternness to a soft/comforting tone. For me, I feel a burning deep in my heart it is kind of hard to explain its not really audible but yet it is. I hear a soft spoken voice deep in my spirit.
This is good Deb. God speaks to us all differently but basically there are eight ways He lets us know His thoughts:
1. Through His Word (reading the Bible and allowing the Holy Spirit to bring truths out daily is essential)
2. Through nature. God reveals His general characteristics through the creation
3. Through people. So many times God has used someone else to speak His will to me
4. Through prophetic utterance. This is often directed to the body but a word of prophecy can certainly confirm something that God has been speaking to us privately
5. Through preaching. Preaching in its purest form is planned prophecy
6. Dreams and visions.
7. The still small voice (an inner prompting)
8. Audibly.
I think with Saul God spoke audibly. Do you think God’s voice was audible for Ananias or the still small inner prompting?
I think for Ananias it was the still small inner prompting that led him. I know I have awakened to someone calling out my name, Debby, Debby, and I get up and everyone in the house is asleep. Almost immediately upon rising I am lead to a certain scripture either myself or to pray for someone. It is so amazing that God uses so many different ways to get our attention!
It is indeed an amazing thing. Our God has no limitations!