掃羅歸主

掃羅繼續用兇狠的話恐嚇主的門徒。他去見大祭司, 要取得授權書到大馬士革的各會堂搜捕信耶穌的人,無論男女,都要把他們押回耶路撒冷。

當他快到大馬士革的時候,突然有一道光從天上射下來,四面照著他。 他倒在地上,聽見有聲音對他說:「掃羅!掃羅!你為什麼迫害我?」 他說:「主啊,你是誰?」那聲音說:「我就是你所迫害的耶穌。 起來!進城去,有人會告訴你該做的事。」

同行的人站在那裡只聽見聲音,卻看不見人,嚇得張口結舌。 掃羅爬起來,睜大眼睛,卻什麼也看不見,同伴拉著他的手進了大馬士革。 一連三天,掃羅什麼也看不見,也不吃也不喝。

10 這時候,在大馬士革有個門徒名叫亞拿尼亞,他在異象中聽見主呼喚他的名字,就回答說:「主啊,我在這裡。」

11 主說:「起來,到直街的猶大家去見一個來自大數、名叫掃羅的人,他正在向我禱告。 12 我讓他在異象中看見一個名叫亞拿尼亞的人去他那裡,把手按在他身上,使他恢復視力。」

13 亞拿尼亞回答說:「主啊!我聽見許多人說他對耶路撒冷的信徒大加迫害。 14 他來這裡是得到祭司長的授權,要拘捕所有求告你名的人。」

15 主對亞拿尼亞說:「你放心去吧!他是我揀選的器皿,要向外族人、君王和以色列人宣揚我的名。 16 我會讓他知道他必為我的名而受許多的苦。」

17 亞拿尼亞去了,進了那家,就把手按在掃羅身上,說:「掃羅弟兄,在你來的路上向你顯現的主耶穌派我來使你重見光明、被聖靈充滿。」 18 頓時,掃羅的眼睛上有鱗片似的東西脫落,他立刻恢復了視力,便起來接受了洗禮。 19 他吃過東西之後,體力也恢復了。他和大馬士革的門徒住了幾天之後, 20 便到各會堂去宣講:「耶穌是上帝的兒子。」

21 聽的人都大吃一驚,說:「他不就是那在耶路撒冷迫害信徒的人嗎?他到這裡來不是要把大馬士革的信徒押去見祭司長嗎?」

22 但掃羅越發有能力,引經據典證明耶穌是基督,使大馬士革的猶太人驚慌失措。

掃羅逃生

23 過了一段日子,猶太人圖謀殺死掃羅。 24 他們晝夜在城門守候,伺機下手,但這陰謀被掃羅知道了。 25 他的門徒趁夜間用筐子把他從城牆上縋下去。

26 掃羅逃到耶路撒冷後,曾設法與當地的門徒聯絡,可是他們都怕他,不相信他是門徒。 27 只有巴拿巴接待他,帶他去見使徒,向他們陳述掃羅如何在路上遇見主,主如何對他說話,他又如何勇敢地在大馬士革奉耶穌的名傳道。 28 於是,掃羅就在耶路撒冷與使徒一起出入來往,奉主的名放膽傳道。 29 他常常跟那些講希臘話的猶太人辯論,於是他們打算殺掉他。 30 弟兄姊妹知道這消息後,就把掃羅帶到凱撒利亞,然後送他到大數去。

31 當時,猶太、加利利、撒瑪利亞各地的教會都很平安,得到了堅固。信徒們非常敬畏主,又得到聖靈的安慰,人數越來越多。

彼得醫治癱子

32 彼得四處奔波,來到呂大探訪那裡的信徒, 33 遇見一個已經臥床八年、名叫以尼雅的癱子。 34 彼得對他說:「以尼雅,耶穌基督已經醫好你了,起來收拾你的墊子吧!」他立刻應聲而起。 35 呂大和沙崙的居民看見他,都歸向了主。

彼得使死人復活

36 在約帕有個樂善好施的女信徒名叫戴碧達,希臘話叫多加,意思是「羚羊」。 37 當時,她患病死了。有人將她的屍體洗乾淨後,停放在樓上。 38 呂大和約帕相距不遠,門徒聽說彼得在呂大,就派兩個人趕去請他立刻來約帕。 39 彼得便隨他們一同到了那裡,有人領他上樓。眾寡婦都站在彼得周圍哭,並把多加生前縫制的內衣、外衣給他看。

40 彼得叫她們都出去,自己跪下禱告,然後轉身對死者說:「戴碧達,起來!」她便睜開了眼睛,看見彼得,就坐了起來。 41 彼得伸手扶她起來後,叫那些在外面等候的門徒和寡婦進來,把活過來的多加交給他們。 42 這事傳遍了整個約帕,許多人都信了主。 43 彼得繼續留在約帕,在當地一個名叫西門的皮革匠家住了好些日子。

掃羅悔改歸主(A)

掃羅仍向主的門徒發恐嚇兇殺的話。他到大祭司那裡, 要求他發公函給大馬士革各會堂,如果發現奉行這道的人,准他連男帶女緝拿到耶路撒冷。 他快到大馬士革的時候,忽然有光從天上向他四面照射。 他仆倒在地,聽見有聲音對他說:“掃羅,掃羅!你為甚麼迫害我?” 他說:“主啊,你是誰?”主說:“我就是你所迫害的耶穌。 起來,進城去!你應當作的事,一定有人告訴你。” 同行的人,聽見聲音,卻看不見人,只是目瞪口呆地站在那裡。 掃羅從地上爬起來,睜開眼睛,卻甚麼也看不見。他們牽著他的手,領他進大馬士革。 他三天都不能看見甚麼,不吃也不喝。

10 在大馬士革,有一個門徒名叫亞拿尼亞,主在異象中對他說:“亞拿尼亞!”他說:“主啊,我在這裡。” 11 主說:“起來,到那叫直街的路上去,要在猶大家裡找一個大數人,名叫掃羅。你看,他正在禱告, 12 在異象中他看見一個人,名叫亞拿尼亞,進來為他按手,使他可以再看得見。” 13 但亞拿尼亞回答:“主啊,我聽見許多人說起這個人,他在耶路撒冷作了許多苦害你聖徒的事; 14 並且他在這裡得到祭司長的授權,要捆綁所有求告你名的人。” 15 主對他說:“你去吧!這人是我揀選的器皿,為要把我的名傳給外族人、君王和以色列人。 16 我要指示他,為了我的名他必須受許多的苦。” 17 亞拿尼亞就去了,進了那家,為掃羅按手,說:“掃羅弟兄,在你來的路上向你顯現的耶穌,就是主,差我來使你可以看見,又被聖靈充滿。” 18 立刻有鱗狀的東西,從掃羅的眼裡掉下來,他就能看見了。於是起來,受了洗, 19 吃過了飯,就有氣力了。

掃羅在大馬士革傳道

他和大馬士革的門徒一同住了幾天, 20 隨即在各會堂傳講耶穌,說他是 神的兒子。 21 聽見的人都很驚奇,說:“在耶路撒冷殘害求告這名的,不是這個人嗎?他來這裡不是要緝拿他們交給祭司長嗎?” 22 然而掃羅更加有能力,駁倒住在大馬士革的猶太人,證明耶穌是基督。

掃羅逃脫猶太人的謀害

23 過了許多日子,猶太人商議要殺掉掃羅; 24 但他們的計謀給掃羅知道了。他們就在各城門日夜把守,要殺掉他。 25 於是他的門徒就趁夜用大籃子把他從城牆上縋下去。

26 掃羅到了耶路撒冷,想要接近門徒,但大家都怕他,不信他是個門徒。 27 只有巴拿巴接待他,帶他去見使徒,把他怎樣在路上看見主,主向他說話,和他怎樣在大馬士革奉耶穌的名放膽講道,都講了出來。 28 於是掃羅在耶路撒冷和門徒一同出入,奉主的名放膽講道, 29 並且與講希臘話的猶太人談論辯駁,那些人卻想下手殺他。 30 弟兄們知道了,就送他到該撒利亞,差他往大數去。

31 那時猶太、加利利、撒瑪利亞各處的教會,都得到平安,被建立起來,存著敬畏主的心過生活,並且因著聖靈的激勵,人數增多起來。

彼得醫好以尼雅

32 彼得周遊各地的時候,也到了住在呂大的聖徒那裡。 33 他遇見一個人,名叫以尼雅,害了癱瘓病,在床上躺臥了八年。 34 彼得對他說:“以尼雅,耶穌基督醫好你了!起來,收好你的褥子!”他就立刻起來。 35 所有住在呂大和沙崙的人,看見了他就歸向主。

彼得使多加復活

36 在約帕有一個女門徒,名叫戴比莎,希臘話叫多加;她為人樂善好施。 37 那時,她因病死了;有人把她洗淨了,停放在樓上。 38 呂大靠近約帕,門徒聽說彼得在那邊,就派兩個人去求他,說:“請到我們那邊去,不要耽延!” 39 彼得就動身,跟他們一同去。到了之後,他們領他上樓。所有寡婦站在彼得旁邊哭,把多加和她們在一起的時候所做的內衣外衣拿給他看。 40 彼得叫大家出去之後,就跪下來禱告,然後轉過身來對著屍體說:“戴比莎,起來!”她就睜開眼睛,一看見彼得,就坐了起來。 41 彼得伸手扶她起來,叫聖徒們和寡婦都進來,把多加活活地交給他們。 42 這事傳遍了約帕,就有很多人信了主。 43 此後,彼得在約帕一個製皮工人西門的家裡住了許多日子。

The Damascus Road

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing threats and murder against the disciples(A) of the Lord. He went to the high priest(B) and requested letters(C) from him to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any men or women who belonged to the Way,(D) he might bring them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As(E) he traveled and was nearing Damascus, a light from heaven suddenly flashed around him. Falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

“Who are You, Lord?” he said.

“I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting,” He replied. “But get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the sound but seeing no one.(F) Then Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing. So they took him by the hand and led him into Damascus. He was unable to see for three days and did not eat or drink.

Saul’s Baptism

10 There was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. And the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

“Here I am, Lord!” he said.(G)

11 “Get up and go to the street called Straight,” the Lord said to him, “to the house of Judas, and ask for a man from Tarsus(H) named Saul, since he is praying there. 12 In a vision[a] he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and placing his hands on him so he can regain his sight.”(I)

13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.(J) 14 And he has authority here from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”(K)

15 But the Lord said to him, “Go! For this man is My chosen instrument(L) to take My name to Gentiles,(M) kings, and the Israelites.(N) 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for My name!”(O)

17 So Ananias left and entered the house. Then he placed his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road you were traveling, has sent me so that you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”(P)

18 At once something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 And after taking some food, he regained his strength.(Q)

Saul Proclaiming the Messiah

Saul was with the disciples in Damascus for some days. 20 Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: “He is the Son of God.”(R)

21 But all who heard him were astounded and said, “Isn’t this the man who, in Jerusalem, was destroying those who called on this name and then came here for the purpose of taking them as prisoners to the chief priests?”(S)

22 But Saul grew more capable and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that this One is the Messiah.

23 After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. So they were watching the gates day and night intending to kill him,(T) 25 but his disciples took him by night and lowered him in a large basket through an opening in the wall.(U)

Saul in Jerusalem

26 When he arrived in Jerusalem,(V) he tried to associate with the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, since they did not believe he was a disciple. 27 Barnabas, however, took him and brought him to the apostles and explained to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road and that He had talked to him, and how in Damascus he had spoken boldly(W) in the name of Jesus.(X) 28 Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He conversed and debated with the Hellenistic Jews,[b] but they attempted to kill him.(Y) 30 When the brothers found out, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.(Z)

31 So the church(AA) throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace, being built up and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the encouragement of the Holy Spirit, and it increased in numbers.

The Healing of Aeneas

32 As Peter was traveling from place to place,[c] he also came down to the saints(AB) who lived in Lydda.(AC) 33 There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. 34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed,”[d] and immediately he got up.(AD) 35 So all who lived in Lydda and Sharon(AE) saw him and turned to the Lord.

Dorcas Restored to Life

36 In Joppa(AF) there was a disciple named Tabitha, which is translated Dorcas.[e] She was always doing good works(AG) and acts of charity. 37 In those days she became sick and died. After washing her, they placed her in a room upstairs. 38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples heard that Peter was there and sent two men to him who begged him, “Don’t delay in coming with us.” 39 So Peter got up and went with them. When he arrived, they led him to the room upstairs. And all the widows approached him, weeping and showing him the robes and clothes that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 Then Peter sent them all out of the room. He knelt down, prayed, and turning toward the body said, “Tabitha, get up!” She opened her eyes, saw Peter, and sat up.(AH) 41 He gave her his hand and helped her stand up. Then he called the saints and widows and presented her alive. 42 This became known throughout Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And Peter stayed on many days in Joppa with Simon,(AI) a leather tanner.[f]

Footnotes

  1. Acts 9:12 Other mss omit In a vision
  2. Acts 9:29 Lit Hellenists; that is, Gk-speaking Jews
  3. Acts 9:32 Lit Peter was passing through all
  4. Acts 9:34 Or and get ready to eat
  5. Acts 9:36 = Gazelle
  6. Acts 9:43 Tanners were considered ritually unclean because of their occupation.