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and dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. His accusers took off their coats and laid them at the feet of a young man named Saul.
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Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.
Persecution Scatters the Believers
A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
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But Saul was going everywhere to destroy the church. He went from house to house, dragging out both men and women to throw them into prison.
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Saul’s Conversion
Meanwhile, Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers. So he went to the high priest.
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He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”
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“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting!
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The men with Saul stood speechless, for they heard the sound of someone’s voice but saw no one!
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Saul picked himself up off the ground, but when he opened his eyes he was blind. So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus.
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The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now.
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But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.
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So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
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Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.
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Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days.
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Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
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They were watching for him day and night at the city gate so they could murder him, but Saul was told about their plot.
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When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!
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Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and told them how Saul had seen the Lord on the way to Damascus and how the Lord had spoken to Saul. He also told them that Saul had preached boldly in the name of Jesus in Damascus.
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So Saul stayed with the apostles and went all around Jerusalem with them, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.
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Then Barnabas went on to Tarsus to look for Saul.
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This they did, entrusting their gifts to Barnabas and Saul to take to the elders of the church in Jerusalem.
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When Barnabas and Saul had finished their mission to Jerusalem, they returned, taking John Mark with them.
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Barnabas and Saul Are Commissioned
Among the prophets and teachers of the church at Antioch of Syria were Barnabas, Simeon (called “the black man”), Lucius (from Cyrene), Manaen (the childhood companion of King Herod Antipas), and Saul.
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One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.”
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Paul’s First Missionary Journey
So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.
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He had attached himself to the governor, Sergius Paulus, who was an intelligent man. The governor invited Barnabas and Saul to visit him, for he wanted to hear the word of God.
