Saul Becomes Paul

Saul was a strict Pharisee. He believed Jesus was a pretender, and he hated the followers of The Way. He had been there when they stoned Stephen. Now he was traveling to Damascus with letters to arrest any believers he could find.

Near the city, at midday, a light from heaven flashed around him — brighter than the sun. Saul fell to the ground. He heard a voice. "Saul. Saul. Why are you persecuting me?"

Saul said, "Who are you, Lord?" The voice answered, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Rise and enter the city, and you will be told what to do."

Saul got up. He opened his eyes, but he could not see. His companions led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he neither ate nor drank. He only prayed.

The Lord spoke to a disciple named Ananias. "Go to the street called Straight, and ask for Saul. I have chosen him to carry my name to the Gentiles and kings and the people of Israel." Ananias was afraid, but he obeyed. He laid his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said. Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. He could see again.

Saul was baptized. From that day he preached Jesus in the synagogues. The one who had hunted Christians became the great apostle Paul, and he gave his life to telling the world about the Lord who stopped him on the road.