Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Damascus » Paul's experiences in
nor went I up to Jerusalem to those that were apostles before me, but I departed into Arabia, and afterwards returned again to Damascus.
In Damascus the governor under king Aretas, placed guards about the city to seize me:
As the high priest is my witness, and all the elders: from whom I received letters to our brethren, and went to Damascus to bring those also, that were there, bound to Jerusalem, to be punished. And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me: and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.
On which accounts as I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests---at mid-day, O king, as I was on the way thither I saw a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, shining round about me and those that were going with me. And when we were all fallen down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. read more.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee: delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but declared first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn unto God, performing works suitable to repentance.
And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared unto thee, to appoint thee a minister and a witness both of the things which thou hast seen, and of those for which I shall hereafter appear unto thee: delivering thee from the people and from the Gentiles, to whom I now send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of satan unto God; that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me. Wherefore, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but declared first to those in Damascus and Jerusalem, and through all the country of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, and turn unto God, performing works suitable to repentance.
Paul » His vision and conversion
Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? and are not ye my work in the Lord?
And last of all He appeared to me also, as one born out of due time: for I am the lest of the apostles,
And I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me ability for the work, that He accounted me faithful, having put me into the ministry, who before was a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and an oppressor. But I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief: and the grace of our Lord superabounded,
For ye have heard of my conversation formerly in Judaism, that I outragiously persecuted the church of God, and laid it waste:
And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads. read more.
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. And the men that went along with him, stood astonished, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. And Saul rose from the earth, but when he opened his eyes he could not see: so they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias, and he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Strait, and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand upon him, that he might recover his sight. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much mischief he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here too he hath authority from the chief priests to apprehend all that call upon thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great sufferings he must endure for my name. And Ananias went away and came into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales; and he instantly recovered his sight, and arose and was baptized. And when he had taken some nourishment, he was strengthened. Now Saul was with the disciples at Damascus for some time. And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. But all that heard him, were amazed, and said, Is not this he that persecuted those in Jerusalem who called on this name, and came hither for this end, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests? But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
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. And the men that went along with him, stood astonished, hearing the voice, but seeing no one. And Saul rose from the earth, but when he opened his eyes he could not see: so they led him by the hand, and brought him to Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and did neither eat nor drink. Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias, and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias, and he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Strait, and enquire in the house of Judas for one Saul, of Tarsus: for behold he is praying, and hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias, coming in and putting his hand upon him, that he might recover his sight. And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how much mischief he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: and here too he hath authority from the chief priests to apprehend all that call upon thy name. But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way, for he is the instrument I have chosen, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will shew him how great sufferings he must endure for my name. And Ananias went away and came into the house; and putting his hands on him, said, "Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, who appeared to thee on the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the holy Spirit." And immediately there fell from his eyes as it were scales; and he instantly recovered his sight, and arose and was baptized. And when he had taken some nourishment, he was strengthened. Now Saul was with the disciples at Damascus for some time. And he immediately preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. But all that heard him, were amazed, and said, Is not this he that persecuted those in Jerusalem who called on this name, and came hither for this end, that he might carry them bound to the chief priests? But Saul prevailed more and more, and confounded the Jews that dwelt at Damascus, fully proving that this same Jesus is the Christ.
And I persecuted those of this persuasion even unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As the high priest is my witness, and all the elders: from whom I received letters to our brethren, and went to Damascus to bring those also, that were there, bound to Jerusalem, to be punished. And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me: read more.
and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord. And when I was returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance. And I saw Him saying unto me, Make haste and go quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and scourged in the synagogues them that believed on Thee.
and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord. And when I was returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance. And I saw Him saying unto me, Make haste and go quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and scourged in the synagogues them that believed on Thee.
I indeed once thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus the Nazarene: which I also did in Jerusalem; and I shut up many of the saints in prison, having received authority for it from the chief priests; and when they were put to death I gave my voice against them. And often punishing them in all the synagogues, I compelled them to blaspheme, and being excessively enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities. read more.
On which accounts as I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests---at mid-day, O king, as I was on the way thither I saw a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, shining round about me and those that were going with me. And when we were all fallen down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.
On which accounts as I was going to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests---at mid-day, O king, as I was on the way thither I saw a light from heaven exceeding the splendor of the sun, shining round about me and those that were going with me. And when we were all fallen down to the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why dost thou persecute me? It is hard for thee to kick against the goads. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And He said, I am Jesus, whom thou persecutest.
Paul » His defense
Then the commanding officer came near and took him, and ordered him to be bound with two chains; and inquired, who he was, and what he had done. But some in the croud bawled out one thing and some another: and as he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. And when he was upon the stairs, he was even borne by the soldiers, because of the violence of the people. read more.
For the multitude followed crying out, Away with him. And as Paul was going to be led into the castle, he said to the tribune, May I be allowed to speak a word to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, who before this madest a sedition, and didst lead out into the wilderness four thousand murtherers? But Paul said, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beg thou wouldest permit me to speak to the people. And when he gave him leave, Paul standing on the stairs made a sign with the hand to the people: and there being a great silence made, He spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
For the multitude followed crying out, Away with him. And as Paul was going to be led into the castle, he said to the tribune, May I be allowed to speak a word to thee? And he said, Canst thou speak Greek? Art not thou that Egyptian, who before this madest a sedition, and didst lead out into the wilderness four thousand murtherers? But Paul said, I am indeed a Jew, a man of Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and I beg thou wouldest permit me to speak to the people. And when he gave him leave, Paul standing on the stairs made a sign with the hand to the people: and there being a great silence made, He spake to them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Brethren, and Fathers, hear now my apology to you, ---(and when they heard that he spake to them in the Hebrew dialect, they the more readily kept silence, and he said,) ---I am indeed a Jew, born at Tarsus in Cilicia, but educated in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, accurately instructed in the law of our fathers, being zealous for God, as ye all are this day. read more.
And I persecuted those of this persuasion even unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As the high priest is my witness, and all the elders: from whom I received letters to our brethren, and went to Damascus to bring those also, that were there, bound to Jerusalem, to be punished. And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me: and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord. And when I was returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance. And I saw Him saying unto me, Make haste and go quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and scourged in the synagogues them that believed on Thee. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also stood by and consented to his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him. But he said unto me, Go away; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.---
And I persecuted those of this persuasion even unto death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women. As the high priest is my witness, and all the elders: from whom I received letters to our brethren, and went to Damascus to bring those also, that were there, bound to Jerusalem, to be punished. And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me: and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. And they that were with me saw the light indeed, and were affrighted; but they did not hear the voice of Him that spake to me. And I said, Lord, what shall I do? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go on to Damascus, and there it shall be told thee concerning all things which are appointed for thee to do. And as I could not see by reason of the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those that were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout observer of the law, who had a good character from all the Jews that dwelt there, came to me, and stood by me, and said, Brother Saul, look up: and I immediately looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our Fathers hath before appointed thee to know his will, and to see the just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men, of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why shouldst thou delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord. And when I was returned to Jerusalem, and was praying in the temple, I was in a trance. And I saw Him saying unto me, Make haste and go quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me. And I said, Lord, they themselves know that I imprisoned and scourged in the synagogues them that believed on Thee. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also stood by and consented to his death, and kept the clothes of them that slew him. But he said unto me, Go away; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.---
Persecution » The world persecuting jesus Christ
And when they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, Lord, Thou art God, who hast made heaven and earth, and sea, and all things therein: who by the mouth of thy servant David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord and against his anointed. read more.
For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus,
For of a truth both Herod and Pontius Pilate, the Gentiles and the people of Israel, combined against thy holy child Jesus,
But Saul still breathing out threatnings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, came to the high priest, and desired of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus, that if he should find any of this persuasion, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. And as he was on his journey, and came near to Damascus, suddenly there shone round about him a light from heaven; read more.
and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
and he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art Thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus the Nazarene whom thou art persecuting: it is hard for thee to kick against the goads.
I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman: every branch in me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every one that beareth fruit, He purgeth, that it may bear more fruit. Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. read more.
Abide therefore in me, and I will abide in you: for as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, unless it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, beareth much fruit: but without me ye can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he is cast out as a useless branch and withereth: and they gather them up, and throw them into the fire, and they are burnt. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be granted you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, and I have loved you, continue in my love: and if ye keep my commandments ye will continue in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and continue in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy in you may continue, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends: and ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you. I no longer stile you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. Ye did not first choose me, but I chose you, and have appointed you to go forth, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should be lasting: that whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, He may give it you. These commands I give you, that ye should love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me first. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember what I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours. But all these things will they do unto you, on my account, because they know not Him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them such works as no other ever did, they had not comparatively had sin: but now they have both seen, and hated, both me and my Father. But thus it is that the word might be fulfilled, which is written in their law, they hated me without a cause.
Abide therefore in me, and I will abide in you: for as the branch cannot bear fruit of it self, unless it abide in the vine; so neither can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches; he that abideth in me, and I in him, beareth much fruit: but without me ye can do nothing. If any one abide not in me, he is cast out as a useless branch and withereth: and they gather them up, and throw them into the fire, and they are burnt. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask what ye will, and it shall be granted you. Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; and so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, and I have loved you, continue in my love: and if ye keep my commandments ye will continue in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and continue in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy in you may continue, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no one than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends: and ye are my friends, if ye do what I command you. I no longer stile you servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doth: but I have called you friends; for whatsoever I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. Ye did not first choose me, but I chose you, and have appointed you to go forth, and bear fruit, and that your fruit should be lasting: that whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name, He may give it you. These commands I give you, that ye should love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me first. If ye were of the world, the world would love its own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember what I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you: if they have observed my word, they will also observe yours. But all these things will they do unto you, on my account, because they know not Him that sent me. If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin: but now they have no excuse for their sin. He that hateth me, hateth my Father also. If I had not done among them such works as no other ever did, they had not comparatively had sin: but now they have both seen, and hated, both me and my Father. But thus it is that the word might be fulfilled, which is written in their law, they hated me without a cause.
And the man went away, and told the Jews, that it was Jesus who had healed him. And for this did the Jews persecute Jesus, and endeavoured to put Him to death; because He had done these things on the sabbath-day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh without intermission, and so do I. read more.
For this therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He had not only broken the sabbath, but had also called God his own Father, making Himself equal with God.
For this therefore the Jews sought the more to kill Him, because He had not only broken the sabbath, but had also called God his own Father, making Himself equal with God.
And it came to pass that as I was on my journey and drew nigh to Damascus, about mid-day, on a sudden a great light from heaven shone round about me: and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And He said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.