Rachel Workman: Saul stayed with the believers[d] in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”
21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. 23 After a while some of the Jews plotted together to kill him. 24 They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot. 25 So during the night, some of the other believers[e] lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the city wall.
26 When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer! 27 Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
28 So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He debated with some Greek-speaking Jews, but they tried to murder him. 30 When the believers[f] heard about this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus, his hometown.
31 The church then had peace throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, and it became stronger as the believers lived in the fear of the Lord. And with the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it also grew in numbers.
Throughout his life, the great apostle was hated, hunted, and plotted against by both Jews and Gentiles (“in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles”—2 Cor. 11:26 nkjv). As you read the book of Acts, you see how the opposition and persecution increase, until the apostle ends up a prisoner in Rome. But he counted it a privilege to suffer for the sake of Christ, and so should we. “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Tim. 3:12).
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John Burnett: Now
there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to
him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And
the Lord said to him, “Get up and go to the street called
Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named
Saul, for he is praying, 12 and
he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands
on him, so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But
Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how
much harm he did to Your saints in Jerusalem; 14 and
here he has authority from the chief priests to arrest all
who call on Your name.” 15 But
the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of
Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of
Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he
must suffer in behalf of My name.” 17 So
Ananias departed and entered the house, and after laying his hands on him
said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which
you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and
be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And
immediately something like fis
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Tomorrow’s reading for Acts 9:32-43
32 Meanwhile, Peter traveled from place to place, and he came down to visit the believers in the town of Lydda. 33 There he met a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Get up, and roll up your sleeping mat!” And he was healed instantly. 35 Then the whole population of Lydda and Sharon saw Aeneas walking around, and they turned to the Lord.
36 There was a believer in Joppa named Tabitha (which in Greek is Dorcas[g]). She was always doing kind things for others and helping the poor. 37 About this time she became ill and died. Her body was washed for burial and laid in an upstairs room. 38 But the believers had heard that Peter was nearby at Lydda, so they sent two men to beg him, “Please come as soon as possible!”
39 So Peter returned with them; and as soon as he arrived, they took him to the upstairs room. The room was filled with widows who were weeping and showing him the coats and other clothes Dorcas had made for them. 40 But Peter asked them all to leave the room; then he knelt and prayed. Turning to the body he said, “Get up, Tabitha.” And she opened her eyes! When she saw Peter, she sat up! 41 He gave her his hand and helped her up. Then he called in the widows and all the believers, and he presented her to them alive.
42 The news spread through the whole town, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed a long time in Joppa, living with Simon, a tanner of hides.
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