Thematic Bible: Paul's experiences in
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.