The Son Meets His Persecutor
9 1 But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the Lord's disciples, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to Damascus's synagogues, so that if he found any of the Way, men or women, he could bring them bound to Jerusalem. a a v2 "The Way" was the earliest name for the followers of Jesus, before they were called Christians. 3 As he traveled and was approaching Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
4 He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
5 He said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7 The men traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul got up from the ground, but with eyes open he saw nothing; they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 He was blind for three days and neither ate nor drank.
10 A disciple named Ananias lived in Damascus. In a vision the Lord said, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord."
11 The Lord said to him, "Get up, go to the street called Straight, and look in Judas's house for a man from Tarsus named Saul—he is praying." 12 and in a vision has seen a man named Ananias come in and place his hands on him so he may see again."
13 Ananias replied, "Lord, many have told me about this man—the harm he's done your holy ones in 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, for this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before nations, kings, and Israel's people." 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
17 Ananias went and entered the house. He laid hands on Saul and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus—who appeared to you on the road you traveled—sent me so 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. He got up and was baptized. 19 and after eating, he regained his strength. For some days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, that he is the Son of our Father. 21 All who heard were amazed and said, "Isn't this the man who ravaged those calling on this name in Jerusalem, and came here for this: to bring them bound before the chief priests?"
22 But Saul grew stronger still, bewildering the Jews living in Damascus by proving this one is the Christ.
23 After many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, 24 But Saul learned of their plot; they watched the gates day and night to kill him, 25 But at night his disciples lowered him through the wall in a basket.
26 Arriving in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but all feared him, not believing he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him to the apostles and explained how Saul had seen the Lord on the road, who spoke to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly in Jesus' name. 28 So he was with them, moving freely about Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He spoke and debated with the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him. b b v29 Hellenists: Greek-speaking Jews who had adopted Greek language and culture. 30 When the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
The Son Heals Aeneas Through Peter
31 So the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was strengthened; walking in reverence for the Lord and comforted by the Holy Spirit, it multiplied in number.
32 As Peter traveled among all the believers, he also went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. 34 Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up, make your bed." He got up at once. 35 And all who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 In Joppa lived a disciple named Tabitha, meaning Dorcas — full of good works and charitable acts. c c v36 Both Tabitha (Aramaic) and Dorcas (Greek) mean "gazelle." 37 In those days she got sick and died; they washed her and laid her in an upstairs room. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, disciples who heard Peter was there sent two men to him, urging, 'Don't delay coming to us.' 39 So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him crying, showing the tunics and cloaks Dorcas had made while with them. 40 Peter sent everyone out, knelt, and prayed. Turning to the body, he said, "Tabitha, get up." She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41 Giving her his hand, he raised her up. Calling the holy ones and the widows, he presented her alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon, a tanner.
