Saul Sees the Light; It’s Bright
1Saul started belching out threats against Jews who followed Jesus. Murder is what they deserved, he said. So he marched off to see the high priest. 2He asked for an affidavit giving him written permission to go to synagogues in Damascus and arrest followers of the Way [1]—men as well as women. He wanted to tie them up and bring them back to Jerusalem. 3He was getting close to Damascus when, all of a sudden, a light beam hit him. It came from out of the sky and lit up the area all around him. 4He dropped to the ground. He heard a voice talking to him. It said, “Saul. Saul. Why are you hunting me down and persecuting me?”5Saul said, “Who are you, sir?”
The voice replied, “I’m Jesus, the one you’re persecuting. 6I want you to get up out of there. Go on into the city. You’ll be told what to do.”
7The men traveling with him just stood there. They didn’t say a word. They could hear the voice, but they didn’t see anyone. 8Saul got up, but he was blind. He had his eyes open, but he couldn’t see a thing. So the men with him took him by the hand and led him on into Damascus. 9He stayed blind for three days. He didn’t eat or drink anything during that time.
Ananias Heals Paul of Blindness
10Ananias was a follower of Jesus who lived in Damascus. The Lord called out to him in a vision, “Ananias.”And Ananias said, “I’m here, Lord.”
11The Lord said, “I want you to get up now. Go to Judas’s house on Straight Street and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. At this very moment he’s praying. 12He’s having a vision of a man named Ananias. He sees you putting healing hands on him and giving him back his eyesight.”
13Ananias said, “Plenty of people have told me about this man, Lord. He has done nothing but hurt a lot of people in Jerusalem who are devoted to you. 14Now he’s here. And he came with an affidavit from the top priests. They gave him the authority to jail anyone who follows you.”
15The Lord said, “Get going. He’s the man I’ve picked. I’m giving him the job of taking my teachings to non-Jews, kings, and Jews alike. 16He’s going to suffer plenty because of what he does for me.”
17So Ananias found the house where Saul was staying. He put his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road into town has sent me here. I’m here because he’s going to give you back your eyesight and then fill you with the Holy Spirit.” 18Instantly, something that looked a bit like flakes or fish scales fell out of his eyes. [2] He could see again. He got up and got himself baptized, first thing, quick as a splash. 19Then he ate some food and started to regain his strength. For several days, he stayed in Damascus with followers of Jesus.
Saul, an About-face Follower of Jesus
20Saul got right down to business. He went into the Damascus synagogues and told the people what he knew about Jesus—introducing him as the Son of God. 21Everyone who heard Saul’s story was shocked. They said, “Well, this is odd. Isn’t he the guy who came here to do just one thing: arrest people who say the kind of stuff he just said? Wasn’t he supposed to tie those people up and march them back to the top priests?”22Saul got better at making his case for Jesus. Before long, he managed to prove that Jesus was the promised Messiah. Jews in Damascus didn’t know what to say about that.
23After a fair number of days, the Jews decided it was time to kill this guy. 24Saul found out about it. The Jews posted guards at the city gates, watching day and night. They planned to grab him and kill him. 25Some people who believed in Saul helped him escape. They put him in a basket and lowered him over the side of the wall at night.
Back to Jerusalem as a Disciple of Jesus
26Saul went back to Jerusalem. He tried to join a group of people who believed Jesus was the Messiah, but they wouldn’t let him. They were too afraid of him. They didn’t believe he had switched sides and was now following Jesus. 27But Barnabas believed Saul, so he took him to see the apostles. [3] Barnabas told the men Saul’s story—that while Saul was traveling on the road, he not only saw the Lord, but the Lord talked to him. Barnabas said Paul boldly taught the people in Damascus about Jesus. 28Saul stayed with the apostles. He traveled with them throughout the Greater Jerusalem area. He talked openly and boldly about the Lord. 29He had serious conversations—and arguments—with Greek-speaking Jews [4] in the area. They decided to figure out a way to kill him. 30When the followers of Jesus found out about it, they escorted Saul down [5] to Caesarea, [6] and then sent him off to Tarsus. [7]31A calm settled over the land—a peace that allowed the church to grow throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. [8] Followers of Jesus grew stronger in their beliefs and in their respect for God. The Holy Spirit encouraged them.
Peter on a Road Trip
32Peter traveled throughout the area. He decided to visit believers in the town of Lydda. [9] 33That’s where he met a paralyzed man named Aeneas, who had been stuck in bed for eight years. 34Peter told him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you right now. Get up out of there and make your bed.” Aeneas got right up. 35All the locals who saw Aeneas up and walking started believing in the Lord. These included folks in Lydda and throughout the neighboring coastal plain of Sharon. [10]36A believer named Tabitha lived in Joppa. [11] People who spoke Greek called her Dorcas. [12] She was a compassionate soul, always doing something good for people. 37She got sick and died while Peter was still in the area. Some people washed her body for burial and put it in an upstairs room. [13] 38Some believers there in Joppa heard Peter was nearby, in Lydda. [14] They sent two men with an urgent message for him: “We need your help! Come right now!”
39Peter got up and went with them. When they got to Joppa, the men took Peter to the upstairs room where Tabitha’s body rested. Weeping widows stood beside Peter. They showed him some clothes Tabitha had made for them—evidence of her kindness.
40Peter sent everyone outside. He dropped to his knees and prayed. Then he turned toward the corpse and said, “Tabitha, it’s time to get up.” She opened her eyes, looked at Peter, and sat right up. 41Peter took her by the hand and helped her stand up. Then he called in all those weeping widows and other believers so they could see that Tabitha was alive. 42Everyone in Joppa heard the story. Many started believing in the Lord because of it. 43Peter stayed in Joppa for several days. He stayed with Simon, a tanner. [15]
