Acts 9

Saul Encounters Jesus

1Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so that if he found anyone belonging to the Way, men or women, he could bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he traveled and came near Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5He asked, “Who are you, Lord?” The voice said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6But get up and enter the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7The men traveling with Saul stood speechless. They heard the sound of the voice but saw no one. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he could not see, and he neither ate nor drank.

Ananias Is Sent to Saul

10There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” He answered, “Here I am, Lord.” 11The Lord said, “Get up and go to the street called Straight. At Judas’ house ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. Look—he is praying, 12and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come in and lay hands on him so he may regain his sight.” 13Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man and how much evil he has done to your holy ones in Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind everyone who calls on your name.” 15But the Lord told him, “Go, because this man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and the people of Israel. 16I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” 17Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18Immediately something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. He got up and was baptized, 19and after taking food, he regained his strength.

Saul Proclaims Jesus

20Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is God’s Son.” 21Everyone who heard him was amazed and said, “Is this not the man who was destroying in Jerusalem those who call on this name? And did he not come here to bring them bound before the chief priests?” 22But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jewish people living in Damascus by demonstrating that Jesus is the Christ. 23After many days had passed, some Jewish opponents plotted together to kill him, 24but Saul learned about their plot. They were watching the city gates day and night so they could kill him. 25But his disciples took him by night and lowered him through an opening in the wall in a basket.

Barnabas Brings Saul to the Apostles

26When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him because they did not trust that he really was a disciple. 27Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He explained how Saul had seen the Lord on the road, that the Lord had spoken to him, and how Saul had spoken boldly in Jesus’ name in Damascus. 28So Saul moved freely among them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the Lord’s name. 29He also spoke and argued with the Hellenists, but they tried to kill him. 30When the brothers and sisters learned about this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and was being built up. Walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow.

Aeneas Is Healed

32As Peter traveled throughout the region, he also went down to the holy ones living in Lydda. 33There he found a man named Aeneas who had been confined to a mat for eight years because he was paralyzed. 34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately he got up. 35Everyone living in Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

Tabitha Is Restored to Life

36In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, which translated is Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of mercy for the poor. 37In those days she became sick and died. After washing her body, they laid her in an upstairs room. 38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard Peter was there and sent two men to urge him, “Please come to us without delay.” 39Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him to the upstairs room. All the widows stood beside him weeping and showing him tunics and other clothing Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40Peter sent everyone outside, knelt down, and prayed. Turning toward the body, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. 41Peter gave her his hand and raised her up. Then he called the holy ones and the widows and presented her alive. 42This became known throughout Joppa, and many trusted in the Lord. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with a man named Simon, a tanner.