Introduction
Saul, one of the ringleaders of the persecution, is brought to the ground by a light and voice from heaven (v 3).
He then becomes a believer.
Verses
1But Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2and 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.
3As he travelled, he got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around him.
7The men who travelled with him stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
8Saul 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.
9He was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
10Now 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.”
He said, “Behold, it’s me, Lord.”
11The Lord said to him, “Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judah for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying,
12and in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight.”
13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem.
14Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15But the Lord said to him, “Go your way, for he is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and kings, and the children of Israel.
17Ananias 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.”
18Immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he received his sight. He arose and was baptised.
19He took food and was strengthened. Saul stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
20Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God.
21All 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!”
22But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
23When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
24but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him,
25but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.
26When 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.
27But 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.
28He was with them entering into Jerusalem,
29preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him.
30When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.
31So 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.
32As Peter went throughout all those parts, he came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
33There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because he was paralysed.
34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!” Immediately he arose.
35All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord.
36Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and acts of mercy which she did.
37In those days, she became sick, and died. When they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
38As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, imploring him not to delay in coming to them.
39Peter 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 coats and garments which Dorcas had made while she was with them.
40Peter 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.
41He gave her his hand, and raised her up. Calling the saints and widows, he presented her alive.
42This became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.
43He stayed many days in Joppa with a tanner named Simon.
Questions
1. Who spoke to Saul out of the bright light?
v 5 He said, “Who are you, Lord?”
The Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
2. Why was Ananias reluctant to visit Saul of Tarsus?
v 13 and 14 ... "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he did to your saints at Jerusalem. Here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."
3. What did the Jews want to do when Saul started talking to people about Jesus?
v 23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him,
Summary Points
- v 1 to 9 On Saul's way to Damascus to persecute believers, Jesus appears in a dramatic fashion to him, blinding him for three days
- v 10 to 16 A disciple called Ananias is told to go and see Saul because God has chosen him to preach to people from all nations. However Saul will suffer as a result
- v 17 to 21 After Saul meets Ananias, he receives his sight, becomes a believer, is baptised and to everyone's surprise he preaches Christ boldly
- v 22 to 31 The Jews conspire to kill Saul because his preaching is so powerful. He escapes to Jerusalem where the disciples don't believe that he has become a disciple until they are reassured by Barnabas. Saul's preaching causes the Greeks to want to kill him, so he goes to Caesarea and then Tarsus
- v 32 to 43 At Lydda, many believe in Jesus after Peter heals a paralysed man in the name of Jesus. At Joppa more believe in the Lord after Peter brings back to life a lady called Tabitha (Dorcas)
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