5. Saul on the road to Damascus.
1 Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of
the Lord, went to the high priest,
2 and requested letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so
that if he found any there of the Way, either men or women, he might
bring them bound to Jerusalem.
6. God meets Paul on the road to Damascus.
3 As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from
heaven shone around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul,
why do you persecute Me?”
5 He said, “Who are You, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for
you to kick against the goads.”
6 Trembling and astonished, he said, “Lord, what will You have me do?”
The Lord said to him, “Rise up and go into the city, and you will be told
what you must do.”
7.
8. Saul immediately after the Damascus road.
7 The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but
seeing no one.
8 Saul rose up from the ground. And when his eyes were opened, he
saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into
Damascus.
9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
9. God ministers to Saul through Ananias.
10 A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord said to him in
a vision, “Ananias.”
He said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Rise and go to Straight Street, and inquire at
Judas’ house for someone named Saul of Tarsus, for he is praying,
12 and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and
putting his hand on him, so that he may see again.”
10. God overcomes Ananias’ objections.
13 Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem.
14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call
on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your way. For this man is a chosen
vessel of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and their kings,
and before the sons of Israel.
16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
11. Suffering Saul experienced as a minister for the Lord Jesus
Acts 14:19 ; 19 Then some Jews from
Antioch and Iconium came there and
persuaded the crowds. They stoned Paul
and dragged him out of the city, supposing
he was dead.
Acts 16:22–24 ; 22 The crowd rose up
together against them. And the magistrates
tore the garments off them and gave orders
to beat them. 23 After they had laid many
stripes on them, they threw them into
prison, commanding the jailer to guard
them securely. 24 Having received such an
order, he threw them into the inner prison
and fastened their feet in the stocks.
Acts 21:33; 33 Then the commander came
and arrested him, and ordered that he be
bound with two chains.
12. Suffering Saul experienced as a minister for the Lord Jesus
2 Corinthians 11:23–27
23 in labors more abundant, in stripes above
measure, in prisons more frequently, in
deaths often. 24 Five times I received from
the Jews forty lashes minus one. 25 Three
times I was beaten with rods; once I was
stoned; three times I suffered shipwreck; a
night and a day I have been in the
deep; 26 in journeys often, in perils of
waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my
own countrymen, in perils by the Gentiles,
in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils
among false brothers; 27 in weariness and
painfulness, in sleeplessness often, in
hunger and thirst, in fastings often, and in
cold and nakedness.
13. Ananias prays and Saul is healed and receives the Holy Spirit.
17 Then Ananias went his way and entered the house. Putting his
hands on him, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to
you on the way as you came, has sent me so that you may see again
and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could
see again. And he rose up and was baptized.
19 When he had eaten, he was strengthened. For several days Saul
was with the disciples in Damascus.
14. Saul preaches powerfully in Damascus.
20 Immediately he preached in the synagogues that the Christ is the
Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this he who killed
those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and came here with that
intent, to bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22 Yet Saul increased all the more with power and confounded the
Jews living in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.
15. Saul’s escape from Damascus.
23 After many days had
passed, the Jews arranged to
kill him.
24 But their scheme was known
by Saul. They watched the
gates day and night to kill him.
25 But the disciples took him by
night, and lowered him in a
basket through the wall.
16. Saul with the Christians at Jerusalem.
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But
they all feared him, not believing he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him, and led him to the apostles, and declared to
them how on the road he had seen the Lord, and that He had spoken
to him, and how he had boldly preached in Damascus in the name of
Jesus.
28 So he stayed with them while coming in and going out of Jerusalem.
29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed
against the Hellenists. But they tried to kill him.
30 When the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea,
and sent him off to Tarsus.
17. The health of the churches in the whole region.
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria
had peace and were built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in
the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.
18. Peter heals Aeneas at Lydda.
32 As Peter passed through every region, he came down also to the
saints who lived in Lydda.
33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for
eight years and was paralyzed.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Rise up and
make your bed.” And immediately he rose up.
35 All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the
Lord.
19. Dorcas from Joppa dies.
36 In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated
Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsgiving.
37 In those days she became ill and died. And when they had washed
her, they placed her in an upper room.
38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was
there, sent two men to him, pleading, “Do not delay to come to us.”
20. Dorcas is raised from the dead.
39 Peter rose up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him
into the upper room. All the widows stood by him weeping, and
showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she
was with them.
40 Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed. And turning to
the body he said, “Tabitha, arise.” She opened her eyes, and when she
saw Peter she sat up.
41 He gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the
saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42 It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the
Lord.
21. Peter stays with Simon, a tanner.
43 He remained in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.
Editor's Notes
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