Acts 9:1–31
The Conversion of Saul
But
Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues at
Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might
bring them bound to Jerusalem. Now as he went on his way, he approached
Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. And falling to
the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting
me?” And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are
persecuting. But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to
do.” The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice
but seeing no one. Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were
opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into
Damascus. And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Now
there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a
vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” And the Lord said to him,
“Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for
a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, and he has seen in a
vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might
regain his sight.” But Ananias answered,
“Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your
saints at Jerusalem. And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind
all who call on your name.” But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen
instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the
children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of
my name.” So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on
him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by
which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with
the Holy Spirit.” And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and
he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; and taking food, he was
strengthened.
Saul Proclaims Jesus in Synagogues
For
some days he was with the disciples at Damascus. And immediately he proclaimed
Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” And all who heard him
were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those
who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring
them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in
strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus
was the Christ.
Saul Escapes from Damascus
When
many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him, but their plot became known
to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, but
his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the
wall, lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
And
when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they
were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But
Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on
the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had
preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at
Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed
against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the
brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to
Tarsus.
So
the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being
built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy
Spirit, it multiplied. (ESV)
This reading is taken from 30 Scripture
Readings with the Great Men of the Bible. The complete book can be found here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003ZK5H3C/ref=nosim?tag=hudsonbcom-20&linkCode=sb1&camp=212353&creative=380549
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version, copyright © 2001, Wheaton: Good News Publishers. Used by permission.
All rights reserved.
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