Acts 9
9
Saul Becomes a Follower of Jesus
1In Jerusalem Saul was still trying to scare the followers of the Lord, even saying he would kill them. He went to the high priest 2and asked him to write letters to the synagogues in the city of Damascus. Saul wanted the high priest to give him the authority to find people in Damascus who were followers of the Way. If he found any believers there, men or women, he would arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.
3So Saul went to Damascus. When he came near the city, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shined around him. 4He 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, the one you are persecuting. 6Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do.”
7The men traveling with Saul just stood there, unable to speak. 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 the men with him held his hand and led him into Damascus. 9For three days, Saul could not see; he did not eat or drink.
10There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. In a vision the Lord said to him, “Ananias!”
Ananias answered, “Here I am, Lord.”
11The Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called Straight Street. Find the house of Judas#9:11 Judas This is not either of the apostles named Judas. and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now, praying. 12He has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias came and laid his hands on him so that he could see again.”
13But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man. They told me about the many bad things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14Now he has come here to Damascus. The leading priests have given him the power to arrest all people who trust in you.#9:14 who trust in you Literally, “who call on your name,” meaning to show faith in Jesus by worshiping him or praying to him for help.”
15But the Lord Jesus said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. I want him to tell other nations, their rulers, and the people of Israel about me. 16I will show him all that he must suffer for me.”
17So Ananias left and went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Saul, my brother, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road when you came here. He sent me so that you can see again and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell off Saul’s eyes. He was able to see! Then he got up and was baptized. 19After he ate, he began to feel strong again.
Saul Begins to Tell About Jesus
Saul stayed with the followers of Jesus in Damascus for a few days. 20Soon he began to go to the synagogues and tell people about Jesus. He told the people, “Jesus is the Son of God!”
21All the people who heard Saul were amazed. They said, “This is the same man who was in Jerusalem trying to destroy the people who trust in Jesus#9:21 who trust in Jesus Literally, “who call on this name.”! And that’s why he has come here—to arrest the followers of Jesus and take them back to the leading priests.”
22But Saul became more and more powerful in proving that Jesus is the Messiah. His proofs were so strong that the Jews who lived in Damascus could not argue with him.
Saul Escapes From Some Jews
23After many days, some Jews made plans to kill Saul. 24They were watching the city gates day and night. They wanted to kill Saul, but he learned about their plan. 25One night some followers that Saul had taught helped him leave the city. They put him in a basket and lowered it down through a hole in the city wall.
Saul in Jerusalem
26Then Saul went to Jerusalem. He tried to join the group of followers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe that he was really a follower of Jesus. 27But Barnabas accepted Saul and took him to the apostles. He told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Then he told them how boldly Saul had spoken for the Lord in Damascus.
28And so Saul stayed with the followers and went all around Jerusalem speaking boldly for the Lord. 29He often had arguments with the Greek-speaking Jews, who began making plans to kill him. 30When the believers learned about this, they took Saul to Caesarea, and from there they sent him to the city of Tarsus.
31The church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had a time of peace. And with the help of the Holy Spirit, these groups of believers became stronger in faith and showed their respect for the Lord by the way they lived. So the church everywhere grew in numbers.
Peter in Lydda and Joppa
32Peter was traveling through all the areas around Jerusalem, and he stopped to visit the believers#9:32 believers Literally, “holy ones,” a name for people who believe in Jesus. Also in verse 41. who lived in Lydda. 33There he met a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had not been able to get out of bed for the past eight years. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” He stood up immediately. 35All the people living in Lydda and on the plain of Sharon saw him, and they decided to follow the Lord.
36In the city of Joppa there was a follower of Jesus named Tabitha. Her Greek name, Dorcas, means “a deer.” She was always doing good things for people and giving money to those in need. 37While Peter was in Lydda, Tabitha became sick and died. They washed her body and put it in an upstairs room. 38The followers in Joppa heard that Peter was in Lydda, which was not far away. So they sent two men, who begged him, “Hurry, please come quickly!”
39Peter got ready and went with them. When he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood around him. They were crying and showing him the coats and other clothes that Tabitha had made during her time with them. 40Peter sent all the people out of the room. He knelt down and prayed. Then he turned to Tabitha’s body and said, “Tabitha, stand up!” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. 41He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the believers and the widows into the room. He showed them Tabitha; she was alive!
42People everywhere in Joppa learned about this, and many believed in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for many days at the home of a man named Simon, who was a leatherworker.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Acts 9
9
The Conversion of Saul
Ac 22:6–16; 26:12–18
1#Ac 8:3; Ps 27:12Saul, still breathing out threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest, 2#Ac 19:9; 19:23and 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. 3#1Co 15:8; Ac 22:6As he went he drew near Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4#Isa 63:9; Zec 2:8He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?”
5He 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.” 6Trembling 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#Ac 22:9; Da 10:7; Jn 12:29The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. 8#Ac 22:11; 9:18Saul 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#Est 4:16For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10#Ac 10:3; 22:12A disciple named Ananias was in Damascus. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”
He said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11#Ac 21:39; 22:3The 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#Mk 5:23and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he may see again.”
13#Ac 8:3; 9:1Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem. 14#Ac 9:21; 7:59And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15#Ac 13:2; Eph 3:7–8But 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#Ac 21:11; 2Co 11:23–27For I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17#Ac 2:4; 6:6Then 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#Ac 22:16Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he could see again. And he rose up and was baptized. 19#Ac 26:20When he had eaten, he was strengthened.
Saul Preaches in Damascus
For several days Saul was with the disciples in Damascus. 20Immediately he preached in the synagogues that the Christ is the Son of God. 21#Ac 8:3; 9:13–14All 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#Ac 18:5Yet Saul increased all the more with power and confounded the Jews living in Damascus, proving that this One is the Christ.
Saul Escapes from the Jews
23After many days had passed, the Jews arranged to kill him. 24#Ac 25:3; 2Co 11:32But their scheme was known by Saul. They watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25#2Co 11:33; Jos 2:15But the disciples took him by night, and lowered him in a basket through the wall.
Saul in Jerusalem
26#Ac 26:20When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples. But they all feared him, not believing he was a disciple. 27#Ac 4:36; 4:29But 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#Ac 1:21So he stayed with them while coming in and going out of Jerusalem. 29#Ac 6:1; 2Co 11:26And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists. But they tried to kill him. 30#Ac 8:40; 9:11When the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31#Ac 8:1; Ne 5:9Then 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.
The Healing of Aeneas
32#Ac 9:13; 8:25As Peter passed through every region, he came down also to the saints who lived in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. 34#Ac 3:6; 3:16Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus the Christ heals you. Rise up and make your bed.” And immediately he rose up. 35#1Ch 5:16; Ac 11:21All those who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36#2Ch 2:16; Ezr 3:7In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and almsgiving. 37#Ac 1:13; 20:8In those days she became ill and died. And when they had washed her, they placed her in an upper room. 38#Ac 9:36Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, pleading, “Do not delay to come to us.”
39Peter 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#Mt 9:25; Ac 7:60Peter 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#Ac 6:1He gave her his hand and lifted her up. And when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42#Jn 11:45; 12:11It became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43#Ac 10:6; 10:32He remained in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.
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