Acts 9:1 And Saul.(original name and later changed to Paul, who became a great apostle in the years after Christ's ascension), yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples.(what's a disciple?).of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

Acts 9:2 And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.

Acts 9:3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus. And suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven.

Acts 9:4 And he fell to the Earth and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecute me?

Acts 9:5 And he said Are you God? And God said I am Emmanuel whom you persecute. It is hard for you to kick against the pricks..(?)

Acts 9:6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what would you have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the city and it shall be told thee what you must do.

Acts 9:7 And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.

Acts 9:8 And Saul arose from the Earth and when his eyes were opened.(Barnes Notes:."He naturally closed them at the appearance of the light and in his fright kept them closed for some time."), he saw no man. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus.

Comprised with.Barnes Notes:.In Acts 22:11 it is expressly said that his 'blindness' was caused by the intense light, that is, the light being so bright to him that he now had to hold onto the others while he was walking. Those with him did not see this light, but Paul, when he would open his eyes, found it still too bright to walk on his own.

Acts 9:9 And he was three days without sight and neither did eat nor drink.

Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias.(some other Ananias is also mentioned:.Acts 5:1-11).and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

The word vision in this verse is number 3708 in Strong's Exhaustive Concordance; the word gives prominence to the physical side receding, as occurs when one meditates; 3708 denotes.perception.in general, as resulting principally from vision, the prominence being in the mental.element..Barnes Notes: the word 'vision' commonly means that future events were made to pass in review before the mind; how?

Acts 9:11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he prays,

Saul's name was later changed to Paul, who at this time was trying to figure out why such a bad thing occurred to him and where to go from this point in his life:.Acts 9:6.

Acts 9:12 And having seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Acts 9:13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem.

Acts 9:14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on your name.

Acts 9:15 But the Lord said unto him, Go your way. For he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.

Acts 9:16 For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

Acts 9:17 And Ananias went his way and entered into the house and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Emmanuel, that appeared unto you in the way as you came, has sent me, that you might receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Acts 9:18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales. And he received sight forthwith and arose and was baptized.

Acts 9:19 And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.

Acts 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

Acts 9:21 But all that heard him were amazed and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests?

Paul was earlier a hurtful persecutor.

Acts 9:22 But Saul increased the more in strength and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

Acts 9:23,24 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him but their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

Acts 9:25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down by the wall in a basket.

Acts 9:26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem he assayed to join himself to the disciples but they were all afraid of him and believed not that he was a disciple.

Acts 9:27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and Paul declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way.(verses 3-8 above).and that he had spoken to him and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Emmanuel.

Acts 9:28 And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

Acts 9:29 And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Emmanuel and disputed.(original is 'to examine and question together').against the Grecians. But they went about to slay him.

Acts 9:30 Which when the brethren knew they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him forth to Tarsus.

Acts 9:31 Then had the churches rest throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria and were edified and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.

Acts 9:32 And it came to pass as Peter passed throughout all quarters he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.

Acts 9:33-35 And there he found a certain man named Aeneas which had kept his bed eight years and was sick of the palsy.  And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Emmanuel the Christ makes you whole. Arise and make your bed. And he arose immediately. And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him and turned to the Lord.

Acts 9:36-39 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas. This woman was full of good works and alms deeds which she did. And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick and died. Whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber. And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber and all the widows stood by him weeping and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth and kneeled down and prayed and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes. And when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Acts 9:41 And he gave her his hand and lifted her up and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive. 

Acts 9:42,43 And it was known throughout all Joppa and many believed in the Lord. And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.
 

....continues to Chapter 10

.