A Chosen Vessel

Saul, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, sought letters from the high priest so that any of "the Way" he found in Damascus could be brought bound to Jerusalem.

Near Damascus a light from the sky flashed around him. He fell and heard, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" To his question, "Who are you, Lord?" came the answer, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting." To persecute the disciples was to persecute Jesus himself. Saul rose blind, was led by the hand into Damascus, and for three days neither ate nor drank.

The Lord sent Ananias, who protested that Saul had authority to bind all who called on the Lord's name. The Lord answered that Saul was his chosen vessel to bear his name before the nations, kings, and the children of Israel, and that Saul would suffer for that name (Acts 9:16). Ananias went, laid his hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul." Something like scales fell from his eyes; he received his sight and was baptized.

Immediately Saul proclaimed in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God, proving that this is the Christ (Acts 9:22). Plots against his life sent him over the Damascus wall in a basket and later on to Tarsus, after Barnabas vouched for him to the apostles. The churches had peace and were built up (Acts 9:31). Peter told the paralyzed Aeneas, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you," and at Joppa, after prayer, he presented Tabitha, a woman full of good works, alive to the saints and widows.