
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
1Then #Acts 7:57Acts 8:13Acts 26:1011Gal. 1:131 Tim. 1:13Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked #Acts 22:5letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3#Acts 22:6Acts 26:12131 Cor. 15:8As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, #(Matt. 25:40)why are you persecuting Me?”
5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
7And #Dan. 10:7John 12:29(Acts 22:9John 26:13)the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus #Acts 22:12named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul #Acts 21:39Acts 22:3of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, #Acts 9:1how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all #Acts 7:59Acts 9:2211 Cor. 1:22 Tim. 2:22who call on Your name.”
15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for #Acts 13:2Acts 22:21Rom. 1:11 Cor. 15:10Gal. 1:15Eph. 3:781 Tim. 2:72 Tim. 1:11he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before #Rom. 1:5Ro 11:13Gal. 2:78Gentiles, #Acts 25:2223Acts 26:1kings, and the #Acts 21:40Rom. 1:16Ro 9:1–5children of Israel. 16For #Acts 20:232 Cor. 11:23–28Acts 12:7–10Gal. 6:17Phil. 1:2930I will show him how many things he must suffer for My #2 Cor. 4:11name’s sake.”
17#Acts 22:1213And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and #Acts 8:17laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and #Acts 2:4Acts 4:31Acts 8:17Acts 13:52be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19So when he had received food, he was strengthened. #Acts 26:20Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.
Saul Preaches Christ
20Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
21Then all who heard were amazed, and said, #Acts 8:3Acts 9:13Gal. 1:1323“Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?”
22But Saul increased all the more in strength, #Acts 18:28and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Saul Escapes Death
23Now after many days were past, #Acts 23:122 Cor. 11:26the Jews plotted to kill him. 24#2 Cor. 11:32But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. 25Then the disciples took him by night and #Josh. 2:151 Sam. 19:12let him down through the wall in a large basket.
Saul at Jerusalem
26And #Acts 22:17–20Acts 26:20Gal. 1:1718when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. 27#Acts 4:36Acts 13:2But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, #Acts 9:2022and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28So #Gal. 1:18he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. 29And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the #Acts 6:1Acts 11:20Hellenists, #Acts 9:232 Cor. 11:26but they attempted to kill him. 30When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
The Church Prospers
31#Acts 5:11Acts 8:1Acts 16:5Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were #(Eph. 4:16edified. And walking in the #Ps. 34:9fear of the Lord and in the #John 14:16comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were #Acts 16:5multiplied.
Aeneas Healed
32Now it came to pass, as Peter went #Acts 8:14through all parts of the country, that he also came down to the saints who dwelt in Lydda. 33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. 34And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, #(Acts 3:6|NoBook| 4:10)Jesus the Christ heals you. Arise and make your bed.” Then he arose immediately. 35So all who dwelt at Lydda and #1 Chr. 5:16|NoBook| 27:29Is. 33:9|NoBook| 35:2|NoBook| 65:10Sharon saw him and #Acts 11:21Acts 15:19turned to the Lord.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36At Joppa there was a certain disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas. This woman was full #1 Tim. 2:10Titus 3:8of good works and charitable deeds which she did. 37But it happened in those days that she became sick and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in #Acts 1:13Acts 9:39an upper room. 38And since Lydda was near Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. When he had come, they brought him to the upper room. And all the widows stood by him weeping, showing the tunics and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40But Peter #Matt. 9:25put them all out, and #Luke 22:41Acts 7:60knelt down and prayed. And turning to the body he #Mark 5:4142John 11:43said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand and lifted her up; and when he had called the saints and widows, he presented her alive. 42And it became known throughout all Joppa, #John 11:45and many believed on the Lord. 43So it was that he stayed many days in Joppa with #Acts 10:6Simon, a tanner.
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