“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.”
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord—that is, Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'—Ananias's greeting 'Brother Saul' effects a communion not yet earned, bestowing a new identity before external signs validate it. The laying on of hands (a Hebraic gesture of blessing, commissioning, and transmission of Spirit) physically enacts the spiritual reality Christ has decreed. The clarification 'that is, Jesus' emphasizes continuity between risen Jesus and the church's experience.
Church Fathers on Acts 9:17
And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on Your name. Acts 9:14 How was that known? It is likely that they, being in fear, made minute enquiries. He does not say this, as thinking that Christ does not know the fact, but, such being the case, how, says he, can these things be? As in fact those (in the Gospel) say, Who can be saved? — Mark 10:26 This is done, in order that Paul may believe him that shall come to him: he has seen in a vision: it…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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