1 But meanwhile Saul was making violent threats against the disciples of the Lord, wanting to kill them. He went to the high priest 2 and asked for letters of authorization to take with him to the synagogues in Damascus, giving him permission to arrest any believers in the Way9:2. "Believers in the Way," one early term referring to followers of Jesus. that he found, men or women, and bring them back to Jerusalem as prisoners.
3 As Saul approached Damascus, suddenly he was surrounded by a light that blazed down from heaven. 4 He fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?"
5 "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, the one you’re persecuting," he replied.
15 But the Lord told him, "Get on your way, because he is the person I have chosen to take my name to foreigners and kings, as well as to Israel.
17 So Ananias left and went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "The Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were traveling here, has sent me so you can regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
20 He immediately started speaking in the synagogues, saying, "Jesus is the Son of God."