Acts 9

Saul continues to threaten the disciples. He asks for letters to introduce him to outlying synagogues so he could arrest more Christians. Notice that they are called "The Way." Isn't that a better name? It implies action.

While on his way north a light flashes and he hears a voice asking why he is persecuting Jesus ("me.") Jesus gives him instructions about going into the city. Seal was taken into town as he could not see. Obviously, he was quite stunned.

At the same time a disciple in Damascus, Ananias, was asked to lay hands on Saul to restore his sight. What a request by Jesus! Go to the disciple killer! Jesus has plans to use his chef attacker as a messenger of his Good News! Ananias goes and Saul's sight is restored and he is baptized.

Saul hangs around and preaches himself. What a surprise it must have been. The man sent to the synagogues to arrest disciples was preaching Jesus instead in the synagogues. The local Jews were baffled by the radical change. They plot to kill Saul who they see as a traitor.

Friends sneak Saul out of town and he goes to Jerusalem to join the disciples. Imagine their surprise (fear?) Barnabas (the rich guy who sold his property for the disciples) vouches for Saul. Saul now goes to Greek people who became Jews (were not ethnically Jewish.) They want to kill him, too. So, the disciples whisk him out of town again to Saul's hometown. Meanwhile, the church in Jerusalem grows.

Now Peter travels and heals a man and others turn to Jesus. He is asked to come to the bed of a woman prone to good works that had died. Her friends were crying after preparing her body. Peter sends them out and prays over the woman. She gets up! She was probably a widow fortunate enough to have money. Still more believe in the Lord. Note that people are convinced by what the see happening as much as what they hear.