Thematic Bible: Paul's experiences in
Thematic Bible
Damascus » Paul's experiences in
neither went I up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.
In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king guarded the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me;
as also the high priest testifies for me, and all the eldership; from whom, having received letters, I was journeying to Damascus, intending to bring those also who were there bound to Jerusalem, that they might be punished. And it came to pass, that, as I was journeying, and was drawing nigh to Damascus, about midday, there suddenly flashed around me a great light out of the heaven; and I fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?' read more.
And I answered, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus, the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.' And those who were with me beheld, indeed, the light, but they did not understand the voice of Him Who spake to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arising, go into Damascus, and there it shall be told you concerning all things which have been arranged for you to do.' And, as I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those accompanying me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout, man according to the law, well spoken of by all the resident Jews, coming to me, and standing by, said to me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And I, in that very hour, looked up on him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice out of His mouth; because you shall be a witness for Him, to all men, of what you have seen, and heard. And now why do you delay? Arising, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
And I answered, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And He said to me, 'I am Jesus, the Nazarene, Whom you are persecuting.' And those who were with me beheld, indeed, the light, but they did not understand the voice of Him Who spake to me. And I said, 'What shall I do, Lord?' And the Lord said to me, 'Arising, go into Damascus, and there it shall be told you concerning all things which have been arranged for you to do.' And, as I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand by those accompanying me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout, man according to the law, well spoken of by all the resident Jews, coming to me, and standing by, said to me, 'Brother Saul, look up.' And I, in that very hour, looked up on him. And he said, 'The God of our fathers appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice out of His mouth; because you shall be a witness for Him, to all men, of what you have seen, and heard. And now why do you delay? Arising, be immersed, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.'
Meanwhile as I was journeying to Damascus, with authority and a commission from the high priests, at midday, O King, I saw, in the way, a light from Heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and those journeying with me. And, we all having fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.' read more.
And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand upon your feet; for I appeared to you for this end, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things in which you saw Me, and of the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the people and the gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; but I declared both to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and through all the region of Judea, and to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.
And I said, 'Who art Thou, Lord?' And the Lord said, 'I am Jesus, Whom you are persecuting. But arise, and stand upon your feet; for I appeared to you for this end, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things in which you saw Me, and of the things in which I will appear to you; delivering you from the people and the gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light, and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins, and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.' Wherefore, O King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision; but I declared both to those in Damascus first, and in Jerusalem, and through all the region of Judea, and to the gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.