Ananias of Damascus

Acts 9 describes Ananias simply as a disciple in Damascus. In a vision the Lord called him by name and instructed him to go to the house of Judas on Straight Street, where Saul of Tarsus was praying. Ananias understandably objected that he had heard of Saul's violence against believers and knew that Saul had authority to arrest Christians in Damascus. The Lord replied that Saul was a chosen instrument who would carry Christ's name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel and would suffer for that name. Ananias went, laid hands on Saul, called him brother, and told him that Jesus had sent him so that he might regain his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was baptized. In Paul's later retelling in Acts 22, Ananias is described as devout according to the Law and well spoken of by the local Jews, and he commissions Saul to be a witness of what he has seen and heard.