Saul's conversion
Saul's Conversion
1 Meanwhile, Saul was
still
breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went
to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues in
Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way,
whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3
As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven
flashed around him. 4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to
him, Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? 5 Who are you, Lord? Saul
asked. I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting, he replied. 6 Now get up
and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do. 7 The men
travelling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but
did not see anyone. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened
his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into
Damascus. 9 For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink
anything. 10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord
called to him in a vision, Ananias! Yes, Lord, he answered. 11 The Lord
told him, Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from
Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man
named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight. 13
Lord, Ananias answered, I have heard many reports about this man and
all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has
come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name. 15 But the Lord said to Ananias,
Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the
Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will
show him how much he must suffer for my name. 17 Then Ananias
went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said,
Brother Saul, the Lord- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you
were coming here- has sent me so that you may see
again and be filled with the Holy Spirit. 18 Immediately, something
like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up
and was baptised,
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
19 and after taking
some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the
disciples
in Damascus. 20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus
is the Son of God. 21 All those who heard him were astonished and
asked, Isn't he the man who caused havoc in Jerusalem among those who
call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to
the chief priests? 22 Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled
the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ. 23
After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but
Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the
city gates in order to kill him. 25
But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through
an opening in the wall.
26 When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join
the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he
really was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the
apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and
that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached
fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28 So Saul stayed with them and moved
about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29
He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill
him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to
Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout
Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was
strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers,
living in the fear of the Lord.
Acts 9:1-31