The Road to Damascus
(Acts 22:1–21; Acts 26:1–23)

1BUT Saul, still breathing out threatenings and murder against the disciples of the Lord, applying to the high-priest, 2besought of him letters for the synagogues at Damascus, that if he should find any persons of this way, whether men or women, he might bring them in chains to Jerusalem. 3So advancing on his journey, he was drawing nigh to Damascus: and suddenly there shone around him a light from heaven: 4and falling on the ground, he heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? 5Then said he, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting: It is difficult for thee to kick against the goads.

6And trembling and amazed he 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. 7And the men who travelled with him stood astonished, hearing indeed a voice, but seeing no man. 8Then Paul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but leading him by the hand, they brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days seeing nothing, and did neither eat nor drink.

Ananias Baptizes Saul

10Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias! And he said, Here I am, Lord. 11Then the Lord said to him, Arise, go into the street called Strait, and inquire at the house of Judas for one named Saul a man of Tarsus: for, behold, he is praying, 12and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming to him, and laying his hand upon him, that he may recover his sight. 13But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how many evils he hath inflicted on thy saints at Jerusalem: 14and here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call upon thy name. 15But the Lord said unto him, Go: for this man is an elect vessel for me, to bear my name before nations, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16for I will shew him how many things he must suffer for my name?s sake. 17Then went Ananias, and entered into the house; and laying his hands upon him, said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who was seen by thee in the way that thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest recover thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18And directly there fell from his eyes as it were scales: and he recovered sight instantly, and arose, and was baptised. 19And when he had taken nourishment, he regained his strength. And Saul continued with the disciples who were at Damascus several days.

Saul Preaches at Damascus

20And immediately he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21And all who heard him were amazed, and said, Is not this the man who made havoc at Jerusalem, among those who called on this name? and hither he came for this purpose, that he might carry them in chains unto the chief priests? 22But Saul was endued with still greater power, and confounded the Jews who dwelt at Damascus, conclusively evincing that this person is the Messiah.

The Escape from Damascus

23But when many days were fulfilled, the Jews consulted together how to kill him: 24but their design was discovered to Saul. And they kept guard at the gates of the city day and night, that they might kill him. 25But the disciples taking him by night, got him off through the wall, letting him down in a basket.

Saul in Jerusalem

26But when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples: and they were all afraid of him, not crediting that he was a disciple. 27Then Barnabas taking him by the hand, brought him to the apostles, and related to them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how boldly he had preached at Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28And he was with them coming in, and going out at Jerusalem: 29and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. And he talked and disputed with the Grecian proselytes: but they made an attempt to murder him. 30Then the brethren, when they knew it brought him down to C‘sarea, and sent him off to Tarsus.

The Healing of Aeneas

31Then had the churches peace through all Judea and Galilee and Samaria, being edified; and walking in the fear of God, and in the consolation of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

32Now it came to pass, as Peter was passing through all parts, that he went down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33And found there a certain man named ’neas, during six years stretched on a bed, who was paralytic. 34And Peter said to him, ’neas, Jesus the Messiah maketh thee whole: arise, and make thine own bed. And he arose immediately. 35And all who dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and they turned to the Lord.

The Raising of Tabitha
(John 11:38–44)

36But there was at Joppa a woman, a disciple, named Tabitha, (which by interpretation is called Dorcas:) this woman was full of good works and of alms which she did. 37But it came to pass that in those days she sickened and died: having then washed her, they laid her out in an upper room. 38And as Lydda was near to Joppa, the disciples hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, entreating him without delay to come over to them. 39Then Peter arose and went with them. And they carried him, on his arrival, into the upper room: and all the widows stood round him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made, whilst she was with them. 40But Peter putting them all out, fell upon his knees, and prayed; and turning to the body, said, Tabitha, arise! And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. 41Then he gave her his hand, and raised her up; and calling in the saints and the widows, presented her to them alive. 42And it was known through all Joppa; and many believed on the Lord. 43Then it came to pass, that he abode many days at Joppa with one Simon a tanner.