Ananias

Ananias was "a certain disciple at Damascus" — a devout, well-regarded believer whom God used at the pivotal moment of Saul of Tarsus's conversion (Acts 9:10; 22:12).

Sent to the persecutor

In a vision the Lord told Ananias to go to the house where the blinded Saul was praying and lay hands on him. Ananias objected, for Saul was the church's fierce persecutor — but the Lord said, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles" (Acts 9:15).

Restoring sight

Ananias obeyed, greeted Saul as "Brother Saul," laid hands on him so that he received his sight, was filled with the Holy Ghost, and was baptized (Acts 9:17–18). His courageous obedience to a frightening command helped launch the ministry of the greatest of the apostles. (He is distinct from Ananias the husband of Sapphira and Ananias the high priest.)