The Living Word

KING JAMES VERSION

"The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever."

— Isaiah 40:8

Acts 9

Listen to the Word

Initializing audio...

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28

1

And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,

WhatsApp Copy

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.

WhatsApp Copy

3

And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

WhatsApp Copy

4

And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

WhatsApp Copy

5

And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

WhatsApp Copy

6

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

WhatsApp Copy

7

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

WhatsApp Copy

8

And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus.

WhatsApp Copy

9

And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

WhatsApp Copy

10

And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.

WhatsApp Copy

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 prayeth,

WhatsApp Copy

12

And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

WhatsApp Copy

13

Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:

WhatsApp Copy

14

And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.

WhatsApp Copy

15

But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

WhatsApp Copy

16

For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.

WhatsApp Copy

17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

WhatsApp Copy

18

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

WhatsApp Copy

19

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

WhatsApp Copy

20

And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

WhatsApp Copy

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?

WhatsApp Copy

22

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

WhatsApp Copy

23

And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:

WhatsApp Copy

24

But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

WhatsApp Copy

25

Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.

WhatsApp Copy

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.

WhatsApp Copy

27

But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

WhatsApp Copy

28

And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.

WhatsApp Copy

29

And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.

WhatsApp Copy

30

Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.

WhatsApp Copy

31

Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea 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.

WhatsApp Copy

32

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

WhatsApp Copy

33

And there he found a certain man named Aeneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.

WhatsApp Copy

34

And Peter said unto him, Aeneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.

WhatsApp Copy

35

And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.

WhatsApp Copy

36

Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds which she did.

WhatsApp Copy

37

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.

WhatsApp Copy

38

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.

WhatsApp Copy

39

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 shewing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.

WhatsApp Copy

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.

WhatsApp Copy

41

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

WhatsApp Copy

42

And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

WhatsApp Copy

43

And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.

WhatsApp Copy

Previous Next

Chapter Study & Analysis

Overview

Acts 9 narrates the dramatic conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus, transforming the Church’s greatest persecutor into its most effective Apostle. It also records Peter’s miracles in Lydda and Joppa, including the raising of Tabitha.

CONTEMPORARY APPLICATIONS

1. The Miracle of Transformation: Saul’s conversion (v. 3-6) proves that no one is beyond the reach of God’s grace. We should never stop praying for those who seem most hostile to the Gospel.
2. The Role of the Encourager: Ananias and Barnabas were essential in welcoming and validating the new convert (v. 17, 27). We must be ready to mentor and support those who are new to the faith.
3. A Life of Good Works: Tabitha was "full of good works and almsdeeds" (v. 36). Her life reminds us that practical service to the needy is a powerful testimony that leaves a lasting legacy.

Practical Lessons

FORMAL PRAYER

Lord Jesus, who didst call Saul from darkness into Thy marvelous light: we thank Thee for Thy transforming power. Use us to encourage the new in faith and to serve the poor with the same devotion as Thy servant Tabitha. May Thy Name be glorified in all we do. Amen.

Copied to clipboard!