9:18 He... arose, and was baptized. The account is more fully given by Paul himself (Ac 22:13-16). Ananias said, Receive thy sight, and in the same hour I looked upon him (Ac 22:13). Then, after saying why the Lord had called him, he added: Why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Ac 22:16). Note (1) that tarrying for weeks or months before baptism was then unknown; (2) that there would be no necessity of arising, if water was applied in baptism, but there would be if he had to go to a place suitable for immersion; (3) that the term wash (Greek, apolouo, bathe ) implies more than a sprinkling or pouring; (4) that neither Ananias nor Paul (Ac 22:16) understood that his sins were remitted before baptism. Compare Ac 2:38 and Ac 22:16.
9:10-22 A good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet with those words, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ leave any who were brought to that. Behold, the proud Pharisee, the unmerciful oppressor, the daring blasphemer, prayeth! And thus it is even now, and with the proud infidel, or the abandoned sinner. What happy tidings are these to all who understand the nature and power of prayer, of such prayer as the humbled sinner presents for the blessings of free salvation! Now he began to pray after another manner than he had done; before, he said his prayers, now, he prayed them. Regenerating grace sets people on praying; you may as well find a living man without breath, as a living Christian without prayer. Yet even eminent disciples, like Ananias, sometimes stagger at the commands of the Lord. But it is the Lord's glory to surpass our scanty expectations, and show that those are vessels of his mercy whom we are apt to consider as objects of his vengeance. The teaching of the Holy Spirit takes away the scales of ignorance and pride from the understanding; then the sinner becomes a new creature, and endeavours to recommend the anointed Saviour, the Son of God, to his former companions.
