Chapter 14—The Conversion of Saul
As Saul journeyed to Damascus with letters of authority to take
men or women who were preaching Jesus, and to bring them bound
unto Jerusalem, evil angels exulted around him. But as he journeyed,
suddenly a light from heaven shone around him, which made the evil
angels flee, and caused Saul to fall quickly to the ground. He heard a
voice saying, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Saul inquired, Who
art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
It is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And Saul trembling and
astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord
said, Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must
do.
The men who were with him stood speechless, hearing a voice,
but saw no man. As the light passed away, and Saul arose from the
[91]
earth, and opened his eyes, he saw no man. The glory of the light of
heaven had blinded him. They led him by the hand, and brought him
to Damascus, and he was three days without sight, neither did he eat or
drink. The Lord then sent his angel to one of the very men whom Saul
hoped to make captive, and revealed to him in vision that he should
go into the street called straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for
one called Saul of Tarsus; for, behold, he prayeth, and hath seen in a
vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hands on him,
that he might receive his sight.
Ananias feared that there was some mistake in this matter, and
began to relate to the Lord what he had heard of Saul. But the Lord
said unto Ananias, Go thy way; for he is a chosen vessel unto me,
to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of
Israel. For I will show him how great things he must suffer for my
name’s sake. Ananias followed the directions of the Lord, and entered
into the house, and putting his hands on him, said, Brother Saul, the
Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest,
hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with
the Holy Spirit.
62