Thematic Bible: Paul's experiences in
Thematic Bible
Damascus » Paul's experiences in
nor went up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes, intending to seize me;
As also the high-priest will bear me witness, and all the body of elders: from whom also having received letters unto the brethren, I went unto Damascus, to bring those who were there in chains unto Jerusalem, that they might be punished. But as I went and drew nigh to Damascus, at noon-day, suddenly there shone a great light from heaven around me. And I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? read more.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarean, whom thou persecutest. Now they who were with me saw the light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me heard they not. Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be given thee of all things which are ordained for thee to do. Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law, and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there, came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, recover sight. And the same hour I looked up at him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.
And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said to me, I am Jesus the Nazarean, whom thou persecutest. Now they who were with me saw the light indeed, and were terrified; but the voice of him that spake to me heard they not. Then I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said to me, Arise, go into Damascus; and there information shall be given thee of all things which are ordained for thee to do. Then as I could no longer see through the dazzling brightness of that light, led by the hand of those who were with me, I came to Damascus. And one Ananias, a religious man according to the law, and in high repute with all the Jews dwelling there, came to me, and standing by me, said, Brother Saul, recover sight. And the same hour I looked up at him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath predestinated thee to know his will, and to see the Just One, and to hear a voice from his mouth. For thou shalt be a witness for him to all men, of the things which thou hast seen and heard. And now why delay? arise, to be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the name of the Lord.
In which pursuits, even as I was going to Damascus with authority and a commission from the chief priests, at midday, O king, I saw on the road a light from heaven, beyond the splendour of the sun, shining around myself and those who were travelling with me. And as we were all fallen prostrate on the earth, I heard a voice speaking to me, and saving in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is difficult for thee to kick against the goads. read more.
Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance.
Then I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he replied, I am Jesus whom thou art persecuting. Notwithstanding, arise, and stand on thy feet: for to this end have I appeared to thee, to ordain thee both a minister and a witness of the things which thou hast seen, and of those which I will shew thee; delivering thee both from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, to convert them from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance with those who are sanctified by faith which is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision: but preached first to those at Damascus, and Jerusalem, and to all the region of Judea, and to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, practicing works worthy of repentance.