Directions to the Awakened Sinner
John Cennick. Acts 22:12-16 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelled there,… There is this idea in the text, this Divine purport and meaning — All things are ready. A redemption is obtained. A kingdom is purchased;up and take possession. 1. "Arise," that is, lift up your hearts to the Redeemer! "Lift up your eyes to the hill Calvary, whence cometh your help." "Arise," hang down and droop thy head no more as if no balm was in Gilead, or as if there were no Physician there that could heal thee; though thou art a poor prodigal child, and hast been feeding upon the husks, the pleasures and vanities of a sinful world, thou hast a Father that loves thee, arise and go to Him. Thou hast a dear Saviour whose wounds will heal thy spoiled and poisoned nature. Thou hast the "Holy Ghost, who will lead thee and comfort thee as a mother comforteth her only son." "Arise," leave thy sins, thy lusts, thy dangerous place, and venture to come to the sinner's refuge, and it shall go well with thee. 2. "Be baptized," be immersed and covered in the bloody sweat of Jesus, be baptized with the baptism wherewith He was baptized, those great drops which fell from Him in His agony shall wash away thy great crimes and frightful offences. 3. "Wash away thy sins," that is, come to the blood of the Lamb. No Jordan, no pool of Siloam, no Bethesda is like it. Whoever comes to this laver, to this fountain, though his sins were more than the hairs of his head, or the sands upon the seashore, all shall be washed away and remembered no more: and though his crimes were the most vile and abominable, so that his heart failed him, yet the blood of Christ shall make him whiter than the snow in Salmon, and soften and melt his hard and icy nature, and speak peace and pardon to his guilty conscience. 4. "Calling upon the name of the Lord," this is to direct you where to apply, to whom you may address yourselves and make your requests, namely, to the Lord Jesus that appeared to Paul in the way. He is the Friend of sinners. He is the Minister of the true sanctuary, who hears prayer, and has the tenderest heart. Ask of Him and He will give you, seek to Him and you shall find, knock at the door of the sheepfold, and you shall find entrance by the new and living way of His flesh and blood, into the holiest place of all. (John Cennick.) Parallel Verses KJV: And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, WEB: One Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well reported of by all the Jews who lived in Damascus,