Acts 9:19–43

¹⁹After eating some food, he got his strength back.

Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem

Saul spent several days with the believers in Damascus. ²⁰At once he began to preach in the synagogues. He taught that Jesus is the Son of God. ²¹All who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Isn’t he the man who caused great trouble in Jerusalem for those who worship Jesus? Hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” ²²But Saul grew more and more powerful. The Jews living in Damascus couldn’t believe what was happening. Saul proved to them that Jesus is the Christ.

²³After many days, the Jews had a meeting. They planned to kill Saul. ²⁴But he learned about their plan. Day and night they watched the city gates closely in order to kill him. ²⁵But his followers helped him escape by night. They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.

²⁶When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the believers. But they were all afraid of him. They didn’t believe he was really one of Jesus’ followers. ²⁷But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul’s journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus’ name in Damascus.

²⁸So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord’s name. ²⁹He talked and argued with Jews who followed Greek practices. But they tried to kill him. ³⁰The other believers heard about this. They took Saul down to Caesarea. From there they sent him off to Tarsus.

³¹Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The Holy Spirit gave the church strength and boldness. So they grew in numbers. And they worshiped the Lord.

Peter Goes to Lydda and Joppa

³²As Peter traveled around the country, he went to visit God’s people in Lydda. ³³There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed. ³⁴“Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Take care of your mat!” So Aeneas got up right away. ³⁵Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.

³⁶In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language was Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people.

³⁷About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs. ³⁸Lydda was near Joppa. The believers heard that Peter was in Lydda. So they sent two men to him. They begged him, “Please come at once!”

³⁹Peter went with them. When he arrived, he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him crying. They showed him the robes and other clothes Dorcas had made while she was still alive.

⁴⁰Peter sent them all out of the room. Then he got down on his knees and prayed. He turned toward the dead woman. He said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes. When she saw Peter, she sat up. ⁴¹He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows. He brought her to them. They saw that she was alive. ⁴²This became known all over Joppa. Many people believed in the Lord. ⁴³Peter stayed in Joppa for some time. He stayed with Simon, a man who worked with leather.