1Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.*9:1 Greek disciples. So he went to the high priest.
3As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him.
5“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked.
And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
7The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
10Now there was a believer*9:10 Greek disciple; also in 9:26, 36. in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord!” he replied.
11The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now.
13“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers*9:13 Greek God’s holy people; also in 9:32, 41. in Jerusalem!
15But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
17So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Saul stayed with the believers*9:19 Greek disciples; also in 9:26, 38. in Damascus for a few days.
21All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
22Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!
28So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.
31The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.