124: Jesus Calls Paul

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Acts 9:1-20


Jesus Calls Paul



Saul (later named as Paul) went to the high priest–urging that he be authorized to go to Damascus to seize followers of Jesus, and bring them back to Jerusalem.

Saul was authorized to proceed; and, as he neared Damascus, a light from Heaven suddenly shone around him. He fell to the earth and heard a voice saying to him:

“Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?”

Saul answered, saying:

“Who art thou, Lord?”

The voice replied:

“I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.”

Saul was astonished and trembling. He answered:

“Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?”

Jesus replied:

“Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.”

The men who were traveling with Saul stood speechless. They heard the voice but saw no one.

When Saul arose, he was blind. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus. He remained there three days, unable to see, and he neither ate nor drank.

In Damascus there was a good man named Ananias. Jesus appeared to him in a vision and gave him instructions about what he was to do, saying:

“Ananias.”

Ananias replied:

“Behold, I am here, Lord.”

The Lord said to him:

“Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen a vision of a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.”

Ananias answered, saying:

“Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem. And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.”

The Lord replied to Ananias:

“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. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Ananias went to the house where Saul lay. He put his hands on the enemy of Jesus and 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.”

Immediately Saul’s vision was restored, and he arose and was baptized. Thereafter he preached in the synagogues, and in every place he appeared, that Christ was the Son of God.


THE END

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