Understanding Ananias's Authority
QUESTION? / COMMENT!
On one of your shows you mention that every time someone lays hands in Scripture it is done by a presbyter/episcopal/someone in authority. What about Ananias who is just labeled a disciple of the Lord in Acts 9? Are you saying he has authority because God told him he has it and therefore he operates in authority whereas a disciple of Christ without Holy Orders and no explicit command of God does not? I am trying to understand proper unifying of Catholic Tradition and the blessing of the charisms of the Holy Spirit I have experienced operating in me and in many in various Charismatic organizations.
Also is there a resource that defines authority and power as you talk about them to get a better understanding and discern the points you bring up regarding this?
Thank you and God Bless!
ANSWER! / COMMENT!
What about Ananias, he was a lay person that laid his hands over Saul of Tarsus (another lay person) and healed his blindness.
Acts 9:10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord." [11] And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he is praying, [12] and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." [13] But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem; [14] and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call upon thy name." [15] But the Lord said to him, “Go, for this man is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites...”
Ananias was a Bishop in the Church of Damascus - https://www.oca.org/saints/lives/2022/10/01/102825-apostle-ananias-of-th... one of the seventy disciples and a prophet sent to preach (Luke 10:1-24); https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ananias_of_Damascus; https://en.wikipedia....
So he has the authority directly from Christ as a Bishop and a Prophet, Saul of Tarsus authority comes from the corrupt chief priest. Ergo, Ananias has authority over Saul. In fact, Ananias has the highest level of authority because he was commanded to pray over Saul directly by Jesus Christ. Saul of Tarsus was not yet St Paul the Apostle, at this stage of his healing he was subordinate to Bishop Ananias.
If you really want to understand the topic of 'power and authority' according to the traditional teaching of the Church get the book 'DOMINION' by Fr Ripperger; ch.4 explains this thoroughly.