Acts of the Apostles - Chapter 9

Acts of the Apostles 9.1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, Acts of the Apostles 9.2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem. Acts of the Apostles 9.3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: Acts of the Apostles 9.4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Acts of the Apostles 9.5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. Acts of the Apostles 9.6 And he trembling and astonished 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. Acts of the Apostles 9.7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. Acts of the Apostles 9.8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. Acts of the Apostles 9.9 And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink. Acts of the Apostles 9.10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. Acts of the Apostles 9.11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, Acts of the Apostles 9.12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight. Acts of the Apostles 9.13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: Acts of the Apostles 9.14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. Acts of the Apostles 9.15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Acts of the Apostles 9.16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake. Acts of the Apostles 9.17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. Acts of the Apostles 9.18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. Acts of the Apostles 9.19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Acts of the Apostles 9.20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. Acts of the Apostles 9.21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? Acts of the Apostles 9.22 But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ. Acts of the Apostles 9.23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: Acts of the Apostles 9.24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him. Acts of the Apostles 9.25 Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. Acts of the Apostles 9.26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. Acts of the Apostles 9.27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. Acts of the Apostles 9.28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. Acts of the Apostles 9.29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him. Acts of the Apostles 9.30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. Acts of the Apostles 9.31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied. Acts of the Apostles 9.32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. Acts of the Apostles 9.33 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy. Acts of the Apostles 9.34 And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately. Acts of the Apostles 9.35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. Acts of the Apostles 9.36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did. Acts of the Apostles 9.37 And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. Acts of the Apostles 9.38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Acts of the Apostles 9.39 Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. Acts of the Apostles 9.40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up. Acts of the Apostles 9.41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. Acts of the Apostles 9.42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord. Acts of the Apostles 9.43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

Acts of the Apostles : Chapter 9

The Conversion of Saul: A Divine Transformation

Chapter 9 of the Acts of the Apostles recounts the dramatic conversion of Saul. This powerful account testifies to how God transforms a persecutor into an apostle. Saul's encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus is a pivotal moment that marks the beginning of a new life. His blindness and healing by Ananias symbolize God's transforming grace and pave the way for his apostolic ministry.

Illuminating Themes

This chapter highlights essential themes such as the power of personal witness and the infinite goodness of God. Through this transformation, we discover the depth of God's mercy and its call to each of us.

Five Inspiring Bible Passages

To deepen our understanding of this transformative chapter, we invite you to meditate on five biblical passages that illuminate the fundamental principles of Saul's conversion.

1. Galatians 1:15-16

"But God separated me from the womb and called me by his grace. When it pleased him to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I consulted no one."

In this passage, Paul, formerly Saul, describes his conversion experience, as recounted in Acts 9.

2. 1 Timothy 1:13

"I used to be a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man; but I obtained mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief."

Here Paul reflects on his life before his conversion, highlighting the richness of God's mercy, as mentioned in Acts 9.

3. 2 Corinthians 11:32-33

"In Damascus, the governor appointed by King Aretas ordered the city to be watched in order to arrest me. But some brothers put me in a basket through a window in the wall, and so I escaped his hands."

This account refers to Saul's escape from Damascus, an event recounted in Acts 9:23-25, illustrating divine protection.

4. Romans 1:1

"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, separated for the gospel of God."

This self-description of Paul reflects the radical transformation he underwent after the events of Acts 9, underscoring his commitment to the gospel.

5. Acts 22:6-10

"About noon, as I was approaching Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven shone around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?' 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied.

This passage constitutes Paul's own account of his conversion, first described in Acts 9, and underscores the impact of this divine encounter.

Meditating on these verses, we are invited to reflect on our own faith journey and how God can transform us, just as he did Saul.