ACTS 9 21-43

A reading & study, verses R paraphrased

N.T. in a year [  ] references {  } thots

     Book of the Acts of the First Believers

21 - And all who were listening to Saul, later called Paul, were amazed! They were saying, “Isn’t this the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call upon the Lord Jesus? And didn’t he come here to arrest and drag more believers in chains before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and was confounding the Synagogue leaders who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.

     23 Then, after many days, they plotted to kill him! 24 But their plot became known to him. They were watching the gates day and night, 25 so some disciples led him out by night and lowered him in a basket, through an opening in the city wall.

     26 Then when Saul (Paul) came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples there. But they were afraid of him, and didn’t believe he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas befriended him and brought him to the apostles. Then he explained to them how on the road he had seen the Lord. How he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly the name of Jesus. 28 After that Saul went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord.

     29 He would also speak with and dispute with the Hellenists (Greek culture Hebrews). But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him to Tarsus.

     31 So the church {brotherhood and sisterhood} throughout all Judea, Galilee and Samaria had peace and the faith was growing. And walking in the reverence of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit {Presence of God} the faith was multiplying.

     32 Meanwhile, Peter too was going in and out among them all. And then he went also down to Lydda and the believers who lived there. 33 While there he came across a man named Aeneas, who had been paralyzed and bedridden for eight long years. 34 And Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you! Rise up and pick up your bed!” And immediately he did. 35 And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him as healed, and they turned to the Lord.

     36 Now in Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha, which, translated is Dorcas. She had done many acts of charity and good works. 37 But in those days she had become ill and died. They had prepared her, and laid her in an upper room.

     38 Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Please come to us without waiting.” 39 So Peter went with them and when he was there, they took him to the upper room. All the widows were standing there weeping and showing tunics and other garments that Dorcas had made while she was with them. 40 But Peter put them all out, and then he knelt down and prayed. And turning to her he said, “Tabitha, arise.” And she opened her eyes. When she saw Peter she sat up, 41 and he took her by the hand and helped her to stand up. Then, calling the saints and widows, he presented her to them alive. 42 And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. 43 And he stayed in Joppa for many days with one Simon, a tanner who lived by the sea.

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