He Rose

Apr 30, 2023 • Hayden

Acts 8:1 (NLT)

Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen.

Acts 8:3 (NLT)

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.

Acts 9:1 (NLT)

Saul was uttering threats with every breath and was eager to kill the Lord’s followers.

Acts 9:2 (NLT)

So he went to the high priest. He requested letters addressed to the synagogues in Damascus, asking for their cooperation in the arrest of any followers of The Way he found there.

Acts 9:2 (NLT)

He wanted to bring them - both men and women - back to Jerusalem in chains.

Acts 9:3-4 (NLT)

As he was approaching Damascus on this mission, a light from heaven suddenly shone down around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?”

Acts 9:5-6 (NLT)

“Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Acts 9:10 (NLT)

Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “ Yes, Lord!” he replied.

Acts 9:11-12 (NLT)

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. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.”

Acts 9:13-14 (NLT)

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to believers in Jerusalem!

Acts 9:13-14 (NLT)

And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

Acts 9:15-16 (NLT)

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. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

Acts 9:17 (NLT)

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.”

Acts 9:18-19 (NLT)

Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.

Acts 9:19-20 (NLT)

Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!”

Acts 9:22 (NLT)

Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.

Philippians 3:4 (NIV)

If someone thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more:

Philippians 3:5 (NIV)

(I was) circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews;

Philippians 3:5-6 (NIV)

In regard to the law, a Pharisee;As for zeal, persecuting the church;As for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Philippians 3:7 (NIV)

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

Philippians 3:8 (NIV)

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things.