Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, set out on a journey to Damascus. The high priest had given him letters to deliver to the synagogues there, instructing him to bring anyone he found who was following "the Way" back to Jerusalem in chains.

As Saul traveled along, a light from heaven suddenly shone around him, and he fell to the ground. A voice spoke to him, saying, "Saul, why are you persecuting me?" He replied, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you have been persecuting. It's hard for you to resist what is already underway." Saul trembled with fear and asked, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" Jesus told him, "Get up and head into the city; it will become clear there what you need to do."

The men traveling with Saul were stunned, hearing a voice but seeing no one. They led Saul by the hand and brought him into Damascus, where he spent three days without sight or food.

Meanwhile, in Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias who received a vision from the Lord. "Ananias," Jesus said, "go to the street called Straight and ask about a man named Saul from Tarsus. He's praying right now." In his vision, Ananias saw a man laying hands on him, and he knew it was the Lord speaking.

When Ananias arrived at the house of Judas, he found Saul praying. Ananias felt uneasy, knowing how much harm Saul had caused to Jesus' followers in Jerusalem. He remembered that Saul had been given authority by the chief priests to arrest anyone who followed Jesus.

The Lord reassured Ananias, "Don't worry; this man is a chosen vessel of mine, destined to bear my name before Gentiles and kings and Israelites alike." Jesus also told Ananias about the suffering Saul would endure on his account. Ananias decided to go ahead with what he had been instructed to do.

He entered the house where Saul was staying and laid hands on him, saying, "Brother Saul, Jesus appeared to you during your journey and has sent me." Instantly, scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he regained his sight. He got up, was baptized, and received food, feeling strengthened by it.

Saul spent some time with the disciples in Damascus, preaching about Christ and proclaiming that he is the Son of God. Those who heard him were amazed, recalling how this was the same man who had persecuted Jesus' followers and come to Damascus intending to bring them back to Jerusalem.

As Saul's message spread, he became more confident and powerful, confounding the Jews in Damascus by proving that he was proclaiming the truth about Christ. After many days, however, a group of Jews conspired to kill him, watching the city gates day and night in hopes of catching him off guard.

The disciples, aware of this plot, secretly took Saul out of the city at night by lowering him down through the wall in a basket.

When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join himself with the disciples, but they were hesitant to accept him. They didn't believe that this was indeed Jesus' former persecutor who had now become a follower. It wasn't until Barnabas intervened and vouched for Saul, sharing his remarkable story of encountering the Lord on the road to Damascus, that the apostles began to trust him.

Saul spent time with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly about Jesus and debating with Greek-speaking Jews, but they sought to kill him. Eventually, when news reached the other believers about the plot against him, they brought Saul down to Caesarea and sent him off to his hometown of Tarsus.

As a result, peace settled over the churches throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. They grew in faith, living in reverence for the Lord and comforted by the Holy Spirit.

Meanwhile, Peter traveled through various regions, stopping at Lydda where he encountered Aeneas, a man who had been paralyzed for eight years. Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you completely; get up and make your bed." And immediately Aeneas arose.

The people of Lydda and Saron witnessed this miracle and turned to the Lord in faith. In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha (also known as Dorcas), who was renowned for her good deeds and acts of charity. One day, she fell ill and died, but before they washed her body, Peter arrived from Lydda.

The widows from Joppa, mourning the loss of their beloved Tabitha, sent two men to fetch Peter, hoping he wouldn't delay in coming to them. When Peter arrived, he was taken to the upper chamber where Tabitha's lifeless body lay surrounded by her handiwork, including clothing and other items she had made for the widows.

Peter had everyone leave the room, then knelt down and prayed. Turning to Tabitha, he said, "Get up." She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up. He helped her to her feet and called the saints and widows to gather around her, now alive and well.

News of this miracle spread throughout Joppa, causing many people to believe in the Lord. Peter stayed with Simon, a tanner, for an extended period in Joppa.