ACTS 9:1-31

(Acts 8) Philip, (not Philip one of the 12) was one of the first disciples to cross ethnic lines as, Jesus had asked them to do, when the Romans and Jewish priests started to persecute the Christians.

(Acts 9) Saul went to the high priest and asked for letters to the synagogues in Damascus so if he found any that belonged to the Way ( one of the first names for the Christians) he could arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.

Now from Jerusalem to Damascus it was 150 mi., that's how badly Saul wanted to persecute the disciples of Christ. That was a long journey at that time it took days probably weeks to travel, as they only made 10-15 mi. a day.

But Jesus had a surprise for Saul, as he neared Damascus a light from heaven flashed around him and a voice said " Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

" Who are you Lord" Saul asked."

"I am Jesus whom you are persecuting" he said "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

The men with him heard Jesus words but could see no one. Saul got up from the ground but when he opened his eyes he was blind, so the men with him led him into Damascus. And for 3 days he was blind, and didn't eat or drink anything.

In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias and Jesus told him in a dream to go to Saul, Ananias argued with the Lord, he said this is the man that viciously persecutes your believers. The Lord told him to go and cure Saul's blindness that He had special plans for Saul, so Ananias went.

In (9:15-16) the Lord tells Ananias, His plan for Saul.

Ananias went to where Saul was staying and entered. And putting his hands over Saul's eyes the scales fell from them, (9:17-18) and the Holy Spirit entered Saul and he was baptized.

Saul stayed with the disciples for several days and began preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those that heard him were astonished, but they were afraid of him, so after many days the Jews were going to kill him. But his followers helped him to escape.

Saul went to Jerusalem but but the disciples there were afraid of him, so they would not accept him. So Barnabas took him to the apostles and told them what had happened on the way to Damascus, so Saul stayed in Jerusalem speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill hem. So the brothers took him to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.

(:31) Then the church enjoyed a time of peace. And encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.

MAY OUR LORD HOLD YOUR HAND AND YOU WALK IN PEACE AND LOVE WITH OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.

Your loving sister in Christ Sharon Rose