Jesus Appears to Paul
Acts 9:1-19 (RSV)
1: But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples
of the Lord, went to the high priest
2: and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he
found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to
Jerusalem.
3: Now as he journeyed he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from
heaven flashed about him.
4: And he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul,
Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5: And he said, "Who are you, Lord?" And he said, "I am Jesus, whom you
are persecuting;
6: but rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do."
7: The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the
voice but seeing no one.
8: Saul arose from the ground; and when his eyes were opened, he could
see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9: And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10: Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Anani'as. The Lord said to
him in a vision, "Anani'as." And he said, "Here I am, Lord."
11: And the Lord said to him, "Rise and go to the street called Straight,
and inquire in the house of Judas for a man of Tarsus named Saul; for behold, he
is praying,
12: and he has seen a man named Anani'as come in and lay his hands on him
so that he might regain his sight."
13: But Anani'as answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man,
how much evil he has done to thy saints at Jerusalem;
14: and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call
upon thy name."
15: But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine
to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;
16: for I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name."
17: So Anani'as departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on
him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by
which you came, has sent me that you may regain your sight and be filled with
the Holy Spirit."
18: And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes and he
regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized,
19: and took food and was strengthened. For several days he was with the
disciples at Damascus.