For notes for this sermon, visit: https://churchlinkfeeds.blob.core.windows.net/notes/40612/note-154165.html
Acts 9:1–22 (ESV)
1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest
2and 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.
3Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him.
4And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?”
5And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
6But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.”
7The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one.
8Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.
9And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying,
12and 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.”
13But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.
14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.”
15But 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 children of Israel.
16For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”
17So Ananias 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 so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
18And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized;
19and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
20And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
21And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”
22But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
