Acts 9:19-43

19and he took some food and was strengthened. For several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus.

20And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”

21All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?”

22But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

23After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him,

24but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him;

25but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

27However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus.

28So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

29He was talking and arguing with the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him.

30When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down to Caesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town].

31So the church throughout Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace [without persecution], being built up [in wisdom, virtue, and faith]; and walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort and encouragement of the Holy Spirit, it continued to grow [in numbers].

32Now as Peter was traveling throughout the land, he went down to [visit] the saints (God’s people) who lived at Lydda.

33There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed.

34Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed.” Immediately Aeneas got up.

35Then all who lived at Lydda and the plain of Sharon saw [what had happened to] him, and they turned to the Lord.

36Now in Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha, (which translated into Greek means Dorcas). She was rich in acts of kindness and charity which she continually did.

37During that time it happened that she became sick and died; and when they had washed her body, they laid it in an upstairs room.

38Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, “Come to us without delay.”

39So Peter got up [at once] and went with them. When he arrived, they brought him into the upstairs room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing [him] all the tunics and robes that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

40But Peter sent them all out [of the room] and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, arise!” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

41And he gave her his hand and helped her up; and then he called in the saints (God’s people) and the widows, and he presented her [to them] alive.

42This became known all over Joppa, and many came to believe in the Lord [that is, to adhere to and trust in and rely on Jesus as Christ and Savior].

43And so it was that Peter stayed in Joppa for many days with Simon, a tanner.