Acts 9
9
Saul Is Converted
1In Jerusalem Saul was still threatening the followers of the Lord by saying he would kill them. So he went to the high priest 2and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. Then if Saul found any followers of Christ’s Way, men or women, he would arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.
3So Saul headed toward Damascus. As he came near the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. 4Saul fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
5Saul said, “Who are you, Lord?”
The voice answered, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do.”
7The people traveling with Saul stood there but said nothing. They heard the voice, but they saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground and opened his eyes, but he could not see. So those with Saul took his hand and led him into Damascus. 9For three days Saul could not see and did not eat or drink.
10There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision, “Ananias!”
Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.”
11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to Straight Street. Find the house of Judas, and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. 12Saul has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias comes to him and lays his hands on him. Then he is able to see again.”
13But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and the terrible things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14Now he has come here to Damascus, and the leading priests have given him the power to arrest everyone who worships you.”
15But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings, and to the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17So Ananias went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road on your way here. He sent me so that you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he was able to see again! Then Saul got up and was baptized. 19After he ate some food, his strength returned.
Saul Preaches in Damascus
Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days. 20Soon he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “Jesus is the Son of God.”
21All the people who heard him were amazed. They said, “This is the man who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy those who trust in this name! He came here to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to the leading priests.”
22But Saul grew more powerful. His proofs that Jesus is the Christ were so strong that his own people in Damascus could not argue with him.
23After many days, they made plans to kill Saul. 24They were watching the city gates day and night, but Saul learned about their plan. 25One night some followers of Saul helped him leave the city by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the city wall.
Saul Preaches in Jerusalem
26When Saul went to Jerusalem, he tried to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he was really a follower. 27But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. Barnabas explained to them that Saul had seen the Lord on the road and the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had preached in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
28And so Saul stayed with the followers, going everywhere in Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29He would often talk and argue with the Jewish people who spoke Greek, but they were trying to kill him. 30When the followers learned about this, they took Saul to Caesarea and from there sent him to Tarsus.
31The church everywhere in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace and became stronger. Respecting the Lord by the way they lived, and being encouraged by the Holy Spirit, the group of believers continued to grow.
Peter Heals Aeneas
32As Peter was traveling through all the area, he visited God’s people who lived in Lydda. 33There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to leave his bed for the past eight years. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Stand up and make your bed.” Aeneas stood up immediately. 35All the people living in Lydda and on the Plain of Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Peter Heals Tabitha
36In the city of Joppa there was a follower named Tabitha (whose Greek name was Dorcas). She was always doing good deeds and kind acts. 37While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. Her body was washed and put in a room upstairs. 38Since Lydda is near Joppa and the followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, they sent two messengers to Peter. They begged him, “Hurry, please come to us!” 39So Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room where all the widows stood around Peter, crying. They showed him the shirts and coats Tabitha had made when she was still alive. 40Peter sent everyone out of the room and kneeled and prayed. Then he turned to the body and said, “Tabitha, stand up.” She opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called the saints and the widows into the room and showed them that Tabitha was alive. 42People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon who was a tanner.
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Acts 9: NCV
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The Holy Bible, New Century Version, Copyright © 2005 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.
Acts 9
9
Saul Encounters Jesus
1During those days, Saul, full of angry threats and rage, # 9:1 As translated from the Aramaic. wanted to murder the disciples of the Lord Jesus. So he went to ask the high priest 2and requested a letter of authorization he could take to the Jewish leaders in Damascus, # 9:2 Or “synagogues of Damascus.” requesting their cooperation in finding and arresting any who were followers of the Way. # 9:2 The “Way” is Jesus Christ, the way that God dispenses himself into human beings. He lives inside of those who believe in him. See John 14:6. “The Way” is also a term Luke uses throughout the book of Acts to designate believers in Jesus. Saul wanted to capture all of the believers he found, both men and women, and drag them as prisoners back to Jerusalem. 3So he obtained the authorization and left for Damascus.
Just outside the city, a brilliant light flashing from heaven suddenly exploded all around him. 4Falling to the ground, he heard a booming voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” # 9:4 To persecute the church is to persecute Jesus. He is one with his beloved church. See Zech. 2:8.
5-7The men accompanying Saul were stunned and speechless, for they heard a heavenly voice but could see no one.
Saul replied, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, the Victorious, # 9:5–7 As translated from the Aramaic, which uses the word scion. Although scion is often translated “branch” (Nazarene), it can also be mean “victorious” or “heir of a mighty family.” the one you are persecuting. # 9:5–7 The Aramaic adds a line here that can be translated “Is it hard for you to rear up against a scorpion’s stinger [or “goads”]?” Now, get up and go into the city, where you will be told what you are to do.”
8Saul stood to his feet, and even though his eyes were open he could see nothing—he was blind. So the men had to take him by the hand and lead him into Damascus. 9For three days he didn’t eat or drink and couldn’t see a thing.
10Living in Damascus was a believer named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling his name. “Ananias.”
“Yes, Lord,” Ananias answered.
11-12The Lord said, “Go at once to the street called Abundance # 9:11–12 As translated from the Aramaic, or “Fat Street.” The Greek is “Straight Street.” As the straightest street in the city, this is the main east-west thoroughfare in Damascus, which is known today as Midhat Pasha Souq. Damascus, only 190 miles northeast of Jerusalem, in 2017 has a population of about two million and is considered to be the oldest continually inhabited city in the world. Many remnants of the Roman occupation, including two-thirds of the walls of the city, can still be seen today. The conversion of Saul the legalist into Paul the grace preacher has a significant lesson for us. We can be amazingly wrong while thinking we are doing right. The Holy Spirit awakens our hearts to feast on Christ, our righteousness. Religion has a deadening effect on our hearts. Like Saul, we have to fall off our “high horse” and bite the dust before our blinded eyes can see. and look for a man from Tarsus # 9:11–12 Tarsus, or Cilicia, is in southeastern Turkey. Tarsus means “a basket.” See v. 25. named Saul. You will find him at Judah’s house. # 9:11–12 Or “Judas’ house.” (Judah’s house is the house of praise). While he was praying, # 9:11–12 Made explicit from the text. he saw in a supernatural vision a man named Ananias # 9:11–12 Ananias means “the Lord’s gracious gift.” He truly was the Lord’s gracious gift to Paul, who was healed by God’s gracious gift. The word grace is found 125 times in the New Testament, and Paul uses the word 120 times. coming to lay hands upon him to restore his sight.” # 9:11–12 Ananias means “Yah is merciful.” This is a wonderful play on words in the Aramaic, for God is about to show mercy to Saul and is asking Ananias to live up to his name.
13“But Lord,” Ananias replied, “many have told me about his terrible persecution of those in Jerusalem who are devoted to you. # 9:13 Or “your holy ones.” 14In fact, the high priest has authorized him to seize and imprison all those in Damascus who call on your name.”
15The Lord Yahweh # 9:15 As translated from the Aramaic word for “Yahweh,” MarYah. answered him, “Arise and go! I have chosen this man to be my special messenger. # 9:15 Or “tool.” He will be brought before kings, before many nations, and before the Jewish people to give them the revelation of who I am. 16And I will show him how much he is destined to suffer # 9:16 Or “experience.” because of his passion for me.”
17Ananias left and found the house where Saul was staying. He went inside and laid hands on him, saying, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me to pray for you so that you might see again and be filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit.”
18All at once, the crusty substance that was over Saul’s eyes disappeared and he could see perfectly. Immediately, he got up and was baptized. 19After eating a meal, # 9:19 Some Aramaic manuscripts add, “He accepted the message of salvation,” or “He received the hope” (of the kingdom). his strength returned. # 9:19 The sentence “Saul remained with the disciples for several days” has been placed in v. 22 as a concluding statement of the narrative.
20Within the hour # 9:20 As translated from the Aramaic. he was in the synagogues, preaching about Jesus and proclaiming, “Jesus is the Son of God!” # 9:20 Or “This Man is the Son of God.” 21Those who heard him were astonished, saying among themselves, “Isn’t this the Saul who furiously persecuted those in Jerusalem who called on the name of Jesus? Didn’t he come here with permission from the high priest to drag them off and take them as prisoners?”
22Saul’s power increased greatly as he became more and more proficient in proving that Jesus was the anointed Messiah. Saul remained there for several days with the disciples, even though it agitated the Jews of Damascus.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
23As time passed, the Jews plotted together to kill Saul, 24but it was revealed to him what they were about to do. They closely guarded the gates of the city and tracked his every movement so they could kill him. 25But during the night, some of Saul’s converts helped him escape by lowering him down through an opening in the wall, hiding him in a woven basket. # 9:25 See 2 Cor. 11:33.
Saul Returns to Jerusalem
26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he attempted to introduce himself to the fellowship of the believers, but everyone was afraid of him because they doubted he was a true disciple. 27Barnabas # 9:27 See Acts 4:36–37. came to his defense and brought him before the apostles. Saul shared with them his supernatural experience of seeing the Lord, who spoke with him on the road to Damascus. Barnabas also told them how boldly Saul preached throughout the city in Jesus’ mighty name.
28Then they accepted him as a brother and he remained with them, joining them wherever they went in Jerusalem, boldly preaching in the power and authority of Jesus. # 9:28 Or “in the name of Jesus.” 29He openly debated with some of the Jews who had adopted the Greek culture, # 9:29 Or “Hellenist Jews.” These were Jews who had adopted the Greek culture and language, as opposed to the orthodox Jews, who were strictly following Hebrew culture. The respected historian Josephus writes in AD 44, in his book of Jewish wars, that Greek was not the predominant language spoken in Israel. (See Antiquities xx, xi, 2.) The Hellenists were Jewish immigrants who had lived in Alexandria, Greece, and in Rome. They would have learned Greek culture and language as well as Hebrew. yet they were secretly plotting to murder him. 30When the believers discovered their scheme, they smuggled him out of the city and took him to Caesarea and then sent him on to Tarsus. # 9:30 Tarsus was a city in south-central Turkey, about ten miles from the Mediterranean coast. Saul’s family originated from Tarsus, but he grew up in Jerusalem as an orthodox Jew.
31After this, the church all over Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a season of peace. # 9:31 The “church” in a region is mentioned here, “Judea, Galilee, and Samaria.” Even though great cultural distinctions existed between them, the Holy Spirit had made them one church. The congregations grew larger and larger, with the believers being empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit. They worshiped God in wonder and awe, # 9:31 Implied in the Hebraic concept of “the fear of the Lord,” which means more than just dread or terror. It also includes “to worship with awe.” and walked in the fear of the Lord.
Peter Heals Aeneas
32As Peter was ministering # 9:32 Or “traveling.” from place to place, he visited God’s devoted ones in the village of Lydda. # 9:32 Lydda (Aramaic, Lod) means “strife.” 33He met a man there named Aeneas # 9:33 Aeneas means “praise.” “Praise” had been paralyzed for eight years. Eight is the number of a new beginning. who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Anointed One instantly and divinely heals you. Now, get up and make your bed.”
35All at once he stood to his feet. And when all the people of Lydda and Sharon saw him, they became believers in the Lord. # 9:35 Or “they turned to the Lord.”
Peter Raises the Dead
36Now, there was a follower of Jesus who lived in Joppa. Her Aramaic name, Tabitha, means “gazelle.” # 9:36 Or “Dorcas,” which is the Greek word for “deer.” The name Dorcas is also found in v. 39 in the Greek. She lived her life doing kind things for others and serving the poor. 37But then she became very ill and died. After the disciples prepared her body for burial, # 9:37 Or “washed her body.” By implication they prepared her for burial. they laid her in an upstairs room.
38When the believers heard that Peter was nearby in Lydda, they sent two men with an urgent message for him to come without delay. 39So Peter went with them back to Joppa, and upon arriving they led him to the upper room.
There were many widows standing next to Peter, weeping. One after another showed him the tunics and other garments that Tabitha had made to bless others. 40Peter made them all leave the room. # 9:40 The Greek word used here is ekballo, a strong word that can mean “drive out” or “cast out.” Then he knelt down and prayed. Turning to the dead body, he said, “Tabitha, rise up!”
At once she opened her eyes, and seeing Peter, she sat up. 41He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called for the believers and all the widows to come and see that she was alive!
42The news spread all over the city of Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43Peter remained in Joppa for several more days as a guest at the house of Simon the tanner. # 9:43 Or “Simon Berseus.”
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