The Conversion of Saul

Acts 9

1 But Saul, b still c breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to d the high priest 2 and asked him for letters e to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to f the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 g Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4 And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting h me?" 5 And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, h whom you are persecuting. 6 But i rise and enter the city, and you will be told j what you are to do." 7 k The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, l hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, m he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named n Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." And he said, o "Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man p of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and q lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, r how much evil he has done to s your t saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from u the chief priests to bind all who v call on your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, "Go, for w he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name x before the Gentiles and y kings and the children of Israel. 16 For z I will show him how much a he must suffer b for the sake of my name." 17 So c Ananias departed and entered the house. And d laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and e be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and f he regained his sight. Then g he rose and was baptized;

  1. Cross References
    Acts 9:13
    But Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.
    Acts 9:21
    And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?
    Acts 8:3
    But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison.
  2. Cross References
    Psalms 27:12
    Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence.
  3. Cross References
    Acts 22:5
    As the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.
    Acts 26:10
    And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them.
  4. Cross References
    Acts 22:19
    And I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.
    Luke 12:11
    And when they bring you before the synagogues and the rulers and the authorities, do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say.
    Luke 21:12
    But before all this they will lay their hands on you and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors for my name's sake.
  5. Cross References
    Acts 19:9
    But when some became stubborn and continued in ...
    Acts 19:23
    About that time there arose no little disturban...
    Acts 24:14
    But this I confess to you, that according to th...
    Acts 24:22
    But Felix, having a rather accurate knowledge o...
    Acts 16:17
    She followed Paul and us, crying out, "These me...
    Acts 18:25 - 26
    He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. ...
    Acts 22:4
    I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and...
    Isaiah 30:21
    And your ears shall hear a word behind you, say...
    Isaiah 35:8
    And a highway shall be there, and it shall be c...
    Amos 8:14
    Those who swear by the Guilt of Samaria, and sa...
  6. Cross References
    Acts 9:3 - 8
    Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him.
    Acts 22:6 - 11
    As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me.
    Acts 26:12 - 18
    In this connection I journeyed to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests.
    1 Corinthians 15:8
    Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.
  7. Cross References
    Isaiah 63:9
    In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old.
    Zechariah 2:8
    For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:
  8. Cross References
    Acts 9:4
    And falling to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?
  9. Cross References
    Ezekiel 3:22
    And the hand of the Lord was upon me there. And he said to me, "Arise, go out into the valley, and there I will speak with you.
    Galatians 1:1
    Paul, an apostle - not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead -
  10. Cross References
    Acts 9:16
    For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.
    1 Corinthians 9:16
    For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
  11. Cross References
    Daniel 10:7
    And I, Daniel, alone saw the vision, for the men who were with me did not see the vision, but a great trembling fell upon them, and they fled to hide themselves.
  12. Cross References
    Acts 22:9
    Now those who were with me saw the light but did not understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
    John 12:29
    The crowd that stood there and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, "An angel has spoken to him.
  13. Cross References
    Acts 22:11
    And since I could not see because of the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand by those who were with me, and came into Damascus.
  14. Cross References
    Acts 22:12
    And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there.
  15. Cross References
    Genesis 22:1
    After these things God tested Abraham and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here am I.
    Isaiah 6:8
    And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here am I! Send me.
  16. Cross References
    Acts 21:39
    Paul replied, "I am a Jew, from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no obscure city. I beg you, permit me to speak to the people.
    Acts 22:3
    I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for God as all of you are this day.
  17. Cross References
    Acts 9:17
    So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
    Mark 5:23
    And implored him earnestly, saying, "My little daughter is at the point of death. Come and lay your hands on her, so that she may be made well and live.
  18. Cross References
    Acts 9:1 - 2
    But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
  19. Cross References
    1 Thessalonians 3:13
    So that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
    2 Thessalonians 1:10
    When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.
  20. Cross References
    Romans 15:25 - 26
    At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints.
    Romans 15:31
    That I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints.
  21. Cross References
    Acts 9:21
    And all who heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?
  22. Cross References
    Acts 22:16
    And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
    Romans 10:13
    For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
    1 Corinthians 1:2
    To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:
    Acts 7:59
    And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
    2 Timothy 2:22
    So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
  23. Cross References
    Acts 13:2
    While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.
    Romans 1:1
    Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God.
    Galatians 1:15
    But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace.
    Ephesians 3:7
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God's grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
  24. Cross References
    Romans 1:5
    Through whom we have received grace and apostle...
    Romans 11:13
    Now I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch the...
    Romans 15:16
    To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentile...
    Galatians 1:16
    Was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order t...
    Galatians 2:2
    I went up because of a revelation and set befor...
    Galatians 2:7 - 9
    On the contrary, when they saw that I had been ...
    Ephesians 3:7 - 8
    Of this gospel I was made a minister according ...
    1 Timothy 2:7
    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apos...
    2 Timothy 4:17
    But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, s...
  25. Cross References
    Acts 25:22 - 23
    Then Agrippa said to Festus, "I would like to hear the man myself." "Tomorrow," said he, "you will hear him.
    Acts 26:1
    So Agrippa said to Paul, "You have permission to speak for yourself." Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense:
    Acts 26:32
    And Agrippa said to Festus, "This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.
    2 Timothy 4:16
    At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them!
  26. Cross References
    Acts 20:23
    Except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me.
    Acts 21:4
    And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem.
    Acts 21:11
    And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, "Thus says the Holy Spirit, 'This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.'
    1 Thessalonians 3:3
    That no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.
  27. Cross References
    Acts 9:6
    But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.
    Acts 14:22
    Strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying that through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.
    2 Corinthians 6:4 - 5
    But as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities.
    2 Corinthians 11:23 - 28
    Are they servants of Christ? I am a better one - I am talking like a madman - with far greater labors, far more imprisonments, with countless beatings, and often near death.
  28. Cross References
    Acts 5:41
    Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
  29. Cross References
    Acts 22:12 - 14
    And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, well spoken of by all the Jews who lived there.
  30. Cross References
    Acts 9:12
    And he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.
  31. Cross References
    Acts 2:4
    And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.
  32. Cross References
    Acts 22:13
    Came to me, and standing by me said to me, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight.' And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him.
  33. Cross References
    Acts 22:16
    And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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