Saul, breathing threats against the Lord's disciples, obtains letters to Damascus synagogues authorizing arrest, but on the way a light from heaven and the risen Lord's voice—'Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?'—blind him and send him to the city. Ananias, despite fear of Saul's reputation, obeys the Lord's commission, lays hands on him, and Saul receives sight, is filled with the Holy Spirit, and is baptized, immediately proclaiming in synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. After escaping a Damascus plot by being lowered in a basket, Saul is introduced to Jerusalem apostles by Barnabas, disputes with Hellenists who seek to kill him, and is sent to Tarsus, while Peter heals Aeneas at Lydda and raises Tabitha (Dorcas) at Joppa.
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a significant role in biblical history. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul of Tarsus had his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and was converted, becoming the apostle Paul. The prophet Elijah was told to anoint Hazael as king of Syria in Damascus. The city is mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Tarsus was a major city in Cilicia (modern Turkey) and the birthplace of the apostle Paul. As a Roman citizen from Tarsus, Paul had privileges that aided his ministry. It was a renowned center of learning and philosophy in the ancient world.
Caesarea Maritima was a grand Roman port city built by Herod the Great. Peter preached to the Roman centurion Cornelius here, opening Christianity to the Gentiles. Paul was imprisoned here for two years and made his defense before Felix, Festus, and King Agrippa.
Galilee was a region in northern Israel where Jesus grew up and conducted much of His ministry. Jesus called His first disciples here, performed many miracles, and taught large crowds. After His resurrection, Jesus met His disciples in Galilee and commissioned them to make disciples of all nations.
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and later became the name for the entire region between Judea and Galilee. After the Assyrian conquest, the population became mixed, and the Samaritans developed their own form of worship. Jews and Samaritans had deep hostility. Jesus broke social barriers by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well and telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.
Philip, Paul's conversion, Peter and Cornelius.
The book of Acts contains 28 chapters chronicling the explosive growth of the early church from Jerusalem to Rome. Written by Luke as a sequel to his Gospel, it begins with 120 believers in an upper room and ends with Paul preaching boldly in the capital of the Roman Empire.
ActsIn Acts 16:10, Luke suddenly switches from 'they' to 'we,' revealing he personally joined Paul's missionary journey. These 'we passages' (Acts 16, 20-21, 27-28) provide eyewitness accounts showing Luke was present for key events including Paul's shipwreck.
Acts 16:10
