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 shone 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.
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.
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.
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.
Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down
also to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named
Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter
said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your
bed.” And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and
Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
Now there was in Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which,
translated, means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of
charity. In those days she became ill and died, and when they had
washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near
Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to
him, urging him, “Please come to us without delay.” So Peter rose
and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper
room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing tunics
and other garments that Dorcas made while she was with them. But
Peter put them all outside, and knelt 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. And he gave her his hand and raised
her up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her
alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed
in the Lord. And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a
tanner.
