*Acts 9:1-19
On the road to Damascus, Jesus appears to a persecutor of Christians named Saul, blinding him and calling him to preach the gospel.
- Saul’s Journey to Damascus:
- Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, goes to the high priest in Jerusalem.
- He requests letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so if he finds any followers of the Way, men or women, he can take them as prisoners to Jerusalem.
- As he nears Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashes around him.
- Falling to the ground, he hears a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?”
- Saul asks who is speaking, and the voice identifies itself as Jesus, whom Saul is persecuting.
- Saul’s Conversion:
- Blinded by the light, Saul is led by the hand into Damascus by his companions.
- For three days he is blind and neither eats nor drinks.
- Jesus speaks to a disciple in Damascus named Ananias in a vision, telling him to go to the street called Straight and ask for Saul of Tarsus.
- Despite his reservations about Saul’s reputation, Ananias obeys after Jesus explains that Saul is His chosen instrument to proclaim His name to the Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel.
- Ananias Heals Saul:
- Ananias finds Saul, lays his hands on him saying, “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.”
- Immediately, something like scales falls from Saul’s eyes, and he regains his sight.
- He rises and is baptized.
- After taking some food, he regains his strength.
9:1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: 9:4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 9:5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.
9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.
9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
9:8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.
9:9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 9:12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: 9:14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 9:16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.
9:17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.