Acts 9

(1)  And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,
(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.
(3)  And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:
(4)  And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
(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.
(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.
(7)  And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.
(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.
(9)  And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.
(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.
(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,
(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.
(13)  Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
(14)  And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
(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:
(16)  For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
(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.
(18)  And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
(19)  And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
(20)  And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
(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?
(22)  But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
(23)  And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:
(24)  But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
(25)  Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.
(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.
(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.
(28)  And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.
(29)  And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
(30)  Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.
(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.
(32)  And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.
(33)  And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.
(34)  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.
(35)  And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(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.
(41)  And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
(42)  And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
(43)  And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

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Study Questions

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1. Why did Saul choose Damascus to begin his mission and how far was it from Jerusalem? Verses 1-2.

2. Where was Saul, what time of day was it, and what did he see and hear? Verses 3-4.

3. How was Saul persecuting Jesus, what were the “pricks” he was suffering, and why wasn’t he told what to do? Verses 5-6.

4. Why does one record say the men with Saul “heard not the voice” and why do you think Saul had nothing to eat or drink for three days? Verses 7-9.

5. Can you name four things about Saul that led some to think Saul was saved from his sins at this point? Verses 10-12.

6. Why was it necessary for Ananias to go to Saul and why was he reluctant to go? Verses 13-14.

7. Did the Lord choose Saul for a special work and if so what did he predict for Saul as a result of that work? Verses 15-16.

8. Why did Ananias address Saul as “Brother Saul” and what happened when he put his hands on him? Verses 17-18.

9. Why was Saul baptized? Verse 18.

10. What two things did Saul do after baptism that indicated that he was saved? Verses 19-20.

11. What amazed Saul’s hearers and how did he confound the Jews at Damascus? Verses 21-22.

12. What evidence indicates that the Jews had help from the authorities in their efforts to kill Saul? Verses 23-24. (See 2 Corinthians 11:32-33)

13. What added details are known about Saul’s escape in Damascus? Verse 25.

14. Do you think the disciples in Jerusalem were justified in being afraid of Saul? If so, why were they justified? Verse 26.

15. Who brought Saul to the apostles? How do you think he got information about him? Verse 27.

16. Is there any way to determine how long Saul was at Jerusalem? Verse 28. (See Galatians 1:18)

17. How long had it been since Saul had been to Jerusalem and why did the Hellenistic Jews there now want to kill him? Verse 29.

18. To protect Saul, why did the brethren send him to Tarsus? Verse 30.

19. How did the condition of the churches vindicate the philosophy of Gamaliel in the claim that the church was of divine origin? Verse 31.

20. Who do you think brought the gospel to Lydia before Peter arrived? Verse 32.

21. What was the result of Peter’s healing of Aeneas by the name of Jesus Christ? Verses 33-35.

22. Why was there such haste to bury Dorcas and why the haste for Peter to come? Verses 36-38.

23. Describe in your own words the raising of Dorcas. Verses 39-41.

24. What was the result of Peter’s raising of Dorcas and where did he live for many days? Verses 42-43.