The In-Dept Study of the Bible
Apostles 09
1 But Saul, still breathing threats and
slaughter against the disciples of the Lord,
went to the high priest
2 and asked for letters from him to the
synagogues of Damascus, that if he found
any who were of the Way, whether men
or women, he might bring them
bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he traveled, he got close to Damascus,
and suddenly a light from the sky
shone around him.
4 He fell on the earth, and heard a voice
saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you
persecute me?”
5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”
TheLordsaid, “I amJesus, whomyouare
persecuting.†
6 But‡ rise up and enter into the city, then
you will be told what you must do.”
7 The men who traveled with him stood
speechless, hearing the sound,
but seeing no one.
8 Saul arose from the ground, and when
his eyes were opened, he saw no one. They
led him by the hand and brought him into
Damascus.
9 He was without sight for three days,
and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at
Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said
to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11 The Lord said to him, “Arise and go
to the street which is called Straight, and
inquire in the house of Judah§ for
one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold,
he is praying,
12 and in a vision he has seen a man
named Ananias coming in and laying his
hands on him, that he might receive his
sight.”
13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I
have heard from many about this man,
how much evil he did to your saints at
Jerusalem.
14 Here he has authority from the chief
priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go your
way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my
namebefore thenations andkings, andthe
children of Israel.
16 For I will show him how many things
he must suffer for my name’s sake.”
17 Ananias departed and entered into the
house. Laying his hands on him, he said,
“Brother Saul, the Lord, who appeared to
you on the road by which you came, has
sent me that you may receive your sight
and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18 Immediately something like scales fell
from his eyes, and he received his sight. He
arose and was baptized.
19 He took food and was strengthened.
Saul stayed several days with the
disciples who were at Damascus.
20 Immediately inthe synagogues he proclaimed
the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21 All who heard him were amazed, and
said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made
havoc of those who called on this name?
And he had come here intending to bring
them bound before the chief priests!”
22 But Saul increased more in strength,
and confounded the Jews who lived at
Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23 When many days were fulfilled, the
Jews conspired together to kill him,
24 but their plot became known to Saul.
They watched the gates both day and night
that they might kill him,
25 but his disciples took him by night and
let him down through the wall, lowering
him in a basket.
26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he
tried to join himself to the disciples; but
they were all afraid of him, not believing
that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought
him to the apostles, and declared to them
how he had seen the Lord on the way, and
that he had spoken to him, and how at
Damascus he had preached boldly in the
name of Jesus.
28 He was with them entering into†
Jerusalem,
29 preaching boldly in the name of the
Lord Jesus.‡ He spoke and disputed against
the Hellenists,§ but they were seeking to
kill him.
30 When the brothers† knew it, they
brought him down to Caesarea and sent
him off to Tarsus.
31 So the assemblies throughout all
Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace
and were built up. They were multiplied,
walking in the fear of the Lord and in the
comfort of the Holy Spirit.
32 As Peter went throughout all those
parts, he came down also to the saints who
lived at Lydda.
33 There he found a certain man named
Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight
years because he was paralyzed.
34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas,Jesus Christ
heals you. Get up and make your bed!”
Immediately he arose.
35 All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon
saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36 Now there was atJoppa a certain disciple named Tabi
tha, which when translated means Dorcas.
‡ This woman was full of good works
and acts of mercy which she did.
37 In those days, she became sick and
died. When they had washed her, they laid
her in an upper room.
38 As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples,
hearing that Peter was there, senttwo
men§ to him, imploring him not to delay in
coming to them.
39 Peter got up and went with them.
When he had come, they brought him into
the upper room. All the widows stood by
him weeping, and showing the tunics and
other garments which Dorcas had made
while she was with them.
40 Peter sent them all out, and knelt
down and prayed. Turning to the body,
he said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her
eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
41 He gave her his hand and raised her
up. Calling the saints and widows, he
presented her alive.
42 This became known throughout all
Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43 He stayed many days in Joppa with a
tanner named Simon.