Thematic Bible: His vision and conversion
Thematic Bible
Paul » His vision and conversion
Am I not an apostle? Am I not free? Have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? Are not ye my work in the Lord?
And last of all he was seen of me, as of one that was born out of due time.
And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord which hath made me strong: for he counted me true, and put me in office, when before I was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and a tyrant. But I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly, through unbelief:
For ye have heard of my conversation in times past in the Jews' ways, how that beyond measure I persecuted the congregation of God, and spoiled it:
But as he journeyed, it fortuned that he drew nigh to Damascus, and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven. And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" And he said, "What art thou, Lord?" And the Lord said, "I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it shall be hard for thee to kick against the prick." read more.
And he, both 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 shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 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." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "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 of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name." The Lord said unto him, "Go thy ways: 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 his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord 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." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted. Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Jerusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests?" But Saul increased in strength; And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.
And he, both 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 shalt do." The men which journeyed with him on his way stood amazed, for they heard a voice, but saw no man. And Saul arose from the earth, and opened his eyes, but saw no man. Then led they him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 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." And the Lord said to him, "Arise, and go into the street which is called straight, and seek in the house of Judas after one called Saul of the city of Tarsus. For behold, he prayeth; And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in unto him; And putting his hands on him, that he might receive his sight." Then Ananias answered, "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 of the high priests to bind all that call on thy name." The Lord said unto him, "Go thy ways: 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 his way and entered into the house and put his hands on him and said, "Brother Saul, the Lord 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." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales and he received his sight, and arose and was baptised. And received meat and was comforted. Then was Saul a certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the Synagogues how that he was the son of God. All that heard him were amazed and said, "Is not this he that spoiled them which called on this name in Jerusalem? And came hither for the intent that he should bring them bound unto the high priests?" But Saul increased in strength; And confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus affirming that this was very Christ.
and I persecuted this way unto the death: binding, and delivering into prison both men and women, as the chief priest doth bear me witness, and all the elders: of whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem for to be punished. And it fortuned that as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus, about noon, that suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me, read more.
and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee.
and I fell unto the earth, and heard a voice saying unto me, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?' And I answered, 'What art thou Lord?' And he said unto me, 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.' And they that were with me saw verily a light and were afraid: but they heard not the voice of him that spake with me. And I said, 'What shall I do Lord?' And the Lord said unto me, 'Arise and go into Damascus and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.' And when I saw nothing for the brightness of that light, I was led by the hand of them that were with me, and came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a perfect man, and as pertaining to the law having good report of all the Jews which there dwelt, came unto me, and stood and said unto me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And that same hour I received my sight and saw him. And he said unto me, 'The God of our fathers hath ordained thee before, that thou shouldest know his will, and shouldest see that which is rightful, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth: for thou shalt be his witness unto all men of those things which thou hast seen and heard. And now: why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, in calling on the name of the Lord.' And it fortuned, when I was come again to Jerusalem and prayed in the temple, that I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, 'Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy witness that thou bearest of me.' And I said, 'Lord they know that I prisoned, and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee.
I also verily thought in myself, that I ought to do many contrary things, clean against the name of Jesus of Nazareth: which things I also did in Jerusalem. Where many of the saints shut I up in prison, and had received authority of the high priests: And when they were put to death I gave the sentence. "And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme: and was yet more mad upon them, and persecuted them even unto strange cities. read more.
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick.' And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest:
About the which things: as I went to Damascus with authority, and commission from license of the high priests, even at mid day, o King, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shine round about me and them, which journeyed with me. When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, 'Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? It is hard for thee to kick against the prick.' And I said, 'Who art thou Lord?' And he said, 'I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: