Acts 9

Saul Becomes a Believer

1 Meanwhile, Saul continued to oppose the Lord's followers. He said they would be put to death. He went to the high priest.2 He asked the priest for letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He wanted to find men and women who belonged to the Way of Jesus. The letters would allow him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3 On his journey, Saul approached Damascus. Suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.4 He fell to the ground. He heard a voice speak to him. "Saul! Saul!" the voice said. "Why are you opposing me?"
5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus," he replied. "I am the one you are opposing.6 Now get up and go into the city. There you will be told what you must do."
7 The men traveling with Saul stood there. They weren't able to speak. They had heard the sound. But they didn't see anyone.8 Saul got up from the ground. He opened his eyes, but he couldn't see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.9 For three days he was blind. He didn't eat or drink anything.
10 In Damascus there was a believer named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision. "Ananias!" he said.
"Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying.12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias. The man has come and placed his hands on him. Now he will be able to see again."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I've heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to God's people in Jerusalem.14 Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel.16 I will show him how much he must suffer for me."
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Right away something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized.19 After eating some food, he got his strength back.
Saul spent several days with the believers in Damascus.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

20 At once he began to preach in the synagogues. He taught that Jesus is the Son of God.21 All who heard him were amazed. They asked, "Isn't he the man who caused great trouble in Jerusalem for those who worship Jesus? Hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?"22 But Saul grew more and more powerful. The Jews living in Damascus couldn't believe what was happening. Saul proved to them that Jesus is the Christ.
23 After many days, the Jews had a meeting. They planned to kill Saul.24 But he learned about their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates closely in order to kill him.25 But his followers helped him escape by night. They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26 When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the believers. But they were all afraid of him. They didn't believe he was really one of Jesus' followers.27 But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul's journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus' name in Damascus.
28 So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord's name.29 He talked and argued with Jews who followed Greek practices. But they tried to kill him.30 The other believers heard about this. They took Saul down to Caesarea. From there they sent him off to Tarsus.
31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The Holy Spirit gave the church strength and boldness. So they grew in numbers. And they worshiped the Lord.

Peter Goes to Lydda and Joppa

32 As Peter traveled around the country, he went to visit God's people in Lydda.33 There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed.34 "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Take care of your mat!" So Aeneas got up right away.35 Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language was Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people.
37 About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs.38 Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, "Please come at once!"
39 Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made while she was still alive.
40 Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up.41 He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive.42 This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord.43 Peter stayed in Joppa for some time. He stayed with Simon, a man who worked with leather.

Acts 9

1 But Saul, yet breathing threatening and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,2 and asked of him letters to Damascus unto the synagogues, that if he found any that were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.3 And as he journeyed, it came to pass that he drew nigh unto Damascus: and suddenly there shone round about him a light out of heaven:4 and he fell upon the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:6 but rise, and enter into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.7 And the men that journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing the voice, but beholding no man.8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw nothing; and they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.9 And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink.10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prayeth;12 and he hath seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much evil he did to thy saints at Jerusalem:14 and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name.15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel:16 for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name’s sake.17 And Ananias departed, and entered into the house; and laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared unto thee in the way which thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mayest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit.18 And straightway there fell from his eyes as it were scales, and he received his sight; and he arose and was baptized;19 and he took food and was strengthened. And he was certain days with the disciples that were at Damascus.20 And straightway in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, that he is the Son of God.21 And all that heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this he that in Jerusalem made havoc of them that called on this name? and he had come hither for this intent, that he might bring them bound before the chief priests.22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.23 And when many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel together to kill him:24 but their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates also day and night that they might kill him:25 but his disciples took him by night, and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.26 And when he was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.28 And he was with them going in and going out at Jerusalem,29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord: and he spake and disputed against the Grecian Jews; but they were seeking to kill him.30 And when the brethren knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.31 So the church throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, being edified; and, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, was multiplied.32 And it came to pass, as Peter went throughout all parts, he came down also to the saints that dwelt at Lydda.33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had kept his bed eight years; for he was palsied.34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ healeth thee: arise and make thy bed. And straightway he arose.35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she fell sick, and died: and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper chamber.38 And as Lydda was nigh unto Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men unto him, entreating him, Delay not to come on unto us.39 And Peter arose and went with them. And when he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down and prayed; and turning to the body, he said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes; and when she saw Peter, she sat up.41 And he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.42 And it became known throughout all Joppa: and many believed on the Lord.43 And it came to pass, that he abode many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.