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9:1-31 (In the meantime) Saul was still threatening
murder against the disciples of the Lord.
He approached the high priest
and asked him for letters of reference for the synagogue at Damascus.
This was so that if he found any of those in "the way",
either men or women he could take them prisoner and bring them to Jerusalem. Now as he drew near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round him
a light out of heaven. On falling to
the ground he heard a voice saying to him "Saul, Saul, why are you
persecuting me?" He said
"Who are you Lord?" He answered "I am Jesus whom you are
persecuting. Get up and go into the
city. You will be told what to do
(there)." Now the men who were
journeying with him stood by speechless.
They heard indeed the sound but saw nobody. Saul was lifted from the ground but he
could see nothing. Leading him by
the hand they brought him into Damascus. He was there three days unable to see and
he neither ate nor drank.
Now
there was a certain disciple in Damascus
called Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision
"Ananias" He answered
"Here I am Lord." The Lord
said to him. "Get up and go to
the street called Straight. Ask in the
house of Judas for Saul, a Tarsian by name.
He is praying." Ananias
(then) saw in a vision a man coming n and putting his hands on him (Saul)
so he could see again. Ananias
answered "Lord I have heard from many about this man, and how many
evil things he did to your saints in Jerusalem. Here he has authority from the chief
priests to arrest all those who call upon your name." But the Lord said to him. "Go
because this man is a vessel chosen
by myself to carry my name before both the kings of the nations (Gentiles)
and the sons of Israel. I will show him how many things he will
have to suffer for the sake of my name.
Ananias went away and entered into the house. He put his hands on him (Saul) and said
"Saul, brother, the Lord has sent me. This is Jesus who
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appeared
to you on the road where you were traveling. (He sent me) so that you can see again and be filled
with the Holy Spirit. Immediately the scales fell away from (Saul's) eyes
and he saw again. On getting up he was
baptized and was strengthened by eating.
Now
he was with the disciples in Damascus
for some days. Then immediately he
proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying that this one is the Son of
God. All those hearing were amazed
and said "Was this not the one who destroyed those in Jerusalem who invoked
this name. Now he has come here to
arrest them and bring them before the chief priests? But Saul
was filled (even) more with power and confounded the Jews who were living
in Damascus,
proving that it is this one (Jesus) who is the Christ. When a considerable number of days had
passed the Jews consulted together and decided to kill him. But their plot was made known to Saul. They carefully watched the gates both day
and night so as to destroy him. But
the disciples took him by night through the wall and then lowered him down
in a basket. On arriving at Jerusalem (Saul)
tried to join the disciples. (But)
all feared him, not believing that he was a (real) disciple.
But
Barnabas took hold of him and led him to the apostles. He narrated to them how he (Saul) saw the
Lord and that he (the Lord) spoke to him.
(Then Barnabas) said how in Damascus
(Saul) spoke boldly in the name of Jesus.
He was with them (Barnabas & co) going in and out to Jerusalem and speaking
boldly in the name of the Lord. He
(Saul) both addressed and was in discussion with the Hellenists who
attempted to kill him. But knowing
(what was happening) the brothers brought (Saul) down to Caesarea
and (then) sent him on to Tarsus.
(After
this) the church throughout all of Judea
and Galilee and Samaria had peace. It (the church) was built up in the fear
of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Membership was
multiplied.
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