The Damascus Road
1Now Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples9:1 Mt 9:10; Mk 10:10; Lk 6:1; Jn 6:3; Ac 6:1 of the Lord. He went to the high priest9:1 Ac 8:3; 9:13,21
2and requested letters9:2 Ac 15:30; 22:5; 23:25,33 from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way,9:2 Ac 19:9,23; 22:4; 24:14,22 he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
3As9:3–8 Ac 22:6–11; 26:12–18; 1Co 15:8 he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him.
4Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5“Who are you, Lord?” Saul said.
“I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting,” he replied.
6“But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.9:7 Dn 10:7; Jn 12:29; Ac 22:9
8Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus.
9He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.
Saul’s Baptism
10There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.”
18At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
Saul Proclaiming the Messiah
Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some time.
22But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
Saul in Jerusalem
26When he arrived in Jerusalem,9:26 Ac 22:17; 26:20; Gl 1:17 he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple.
27Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that the Lord had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly9:27 Ac 13:46; 14:3; 18:26; 19:8; 26:26; Eph 6:20; 1Th 2:2 in the name of Jesus.9:27 Ac 4:36; 9:3–6,20,22
28Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
The Church’s Growth
The Healing of Aeneas
32As Peter was traveling from place to place, he also came down to the saints9:32 Rm 1:7; Eph 5:3; 6:18 who lived in Lydda.9:32 1Ch 8:12; Ezr 2:23; Neh 7:37; 11:35
33There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years.
Dorcas Restored to Life
36In Joppa9:36 Jos 19:46; 2Ch 2:16; Ezr 3:7; Jnh 1:3; Ac 10:5 there was a disciple named Tabitha (which is translated Dorcas). She was always doing good works9:36 1Tm 2:10; Ti 3:8 and acts of charity.
37About that time she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs.
38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who urged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.”
39Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.9:40 Mt 9:25; Mk 5:41; Lk 22:41; Jn 11:43; Ac 7:60
41He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. He called the saints and widows and presented her alive.
42This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard
Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.
