Paul’s Testimony and the Call to Action
Acts 22:12–16 (NASB95)
12“A certain Ananias, a man who was devout by the standard of the Law, and well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there, 13came to me, and standing near said to me, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very time I looked up at him. 14“And he said, ‘The God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear an utterance from His mouth. 15‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard. 16‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’
Paul continues his defense before the crowd by recounting the role of Ananias in his conversion. Ananias, described as a devout man respected by the Jewish community, is sent by God to restore Paul’s sight and deliver a prophetic message about his calling. Ananias declares that Paul has been chosen to know God’s will, see the Righteous One, and hear His voice. This divine calling is not just for Paul’s benefit but so that he can be a witness to all people of what he has seen and heard. Ananias then urges Paul to act immediately, to be baptized, and to call on the name of the Lord, symbolizing the washing away of his sins and his full commitment to Jesus. By sharing this part of his testimony, Paul emphasizes that his mission to proclaim the Gospel is not self-appointed but divinely ordained. He seeks to show his audience that his transformation and ministry are rooted in obedience to God’s will, not a rejection of Jewish traditions.
Paul’s testimony reminds us that God calls each of us to action, not just to hear His Word but to respond in obedience. Like Paul, we are chosen to know God’s will, to see His truth, and to share it with others. Ananias’s role also highlights the importance of being faithful in encouraging and guiding others in their walk with God. As the modern church, we must be ready to act on God’s calling, whether it is stepping out in faith, sharing the Gospel, or supporting others in their spiritual journey. Let us commit to being bold witnesses of what we have seen and heard, trusting that God will use our obedience to accomplish His purposes.