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The conversion of Saul (Paul)

Jesus appears to Saul (Paul) as he travels to Damascus.
Contributed by Sweet Publishing
Story also available on our translated websites: Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Romanian, German, Hindi, Arabic, Simplified Chinese
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Acts 7:58 A key person involved in the death of Stephen was a young man called Saul. Those stoning Stephen took off their coats and left them at the feet of Saul. – Slide 1
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Acts 8v1 After the death of Stephen, Christians in Jerusalem suffered so much that many left to find new places to live. Some travelled north to the city of Damascus. – Slide 2
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Acts 9. Saul went to the High Priest and asked for papers giving him permission to go to Damascus and arrest any belonging to ‘The Way’ (as Christians were known). – Slide 3
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The papers were handed to Saul and he set off to Damascus, making murderous threats about those who believed Jesus was ‘The Way’ to God. – Slide 4
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As he got near to the city, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him and he fell to the ground. He heard a voice: ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ – Slide 5
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 ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the voice replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ – Slide 6
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The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless. They heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. – Slide 7
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So they led Saul by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything. – Slide 8
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In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. – Slide 9
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‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ – Slide 10
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‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘This man has harmed your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ – Slide 11
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But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! I have chosen Saul to proclaim my Name not only to Jews but Gentiles (non-Jews) and their kings. I will also show him how much he must suffer for me.’ – Slide 12
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Ananias went to the house and placed his hands on Saul. ‘Brother Saul, Jesus-- who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’ Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. – Slide 13
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Saul got up and was baptised, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. – Slide 14
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Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus – the very people he had come to arrest. – Slide 15
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Immediately Saul began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. – Slide 16
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Those listening were astonished and asked, ‘Isn’t he the man who caused so much trouble for Christians in Jerusalem and came here to arrest them?’ – Slide 17
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Saul powerfully explained to them that Jesus is the Messiah. A few days later some Jews who were against Jesus plotted to kill Saul. – Slide 18
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They kept watch at the city gates hoping to kill him. But Saul learnt of their plans. – Slide 19
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Saul’s followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall so he could escape. – Slide 20
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Saul returned to Jerusalem where he tried to join the disciples. But they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. – Slide 21
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However Barnabas explained that Saul was now a Christian, and how he had preached in Damascus that Jesus is the Son of God.  So the Apostles welcomed Saul who started speaking boldly about Jesus in Jerusalem – Slide 22
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However when he started telling Jews who had adopted Greek language and culture about Jesus they tried to kill him. – Slide 23
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To protect Saul the believers took him to the port of Caesarea and sent him back to his home city of Tarsus. Saul was his a Jewish name but as a Roman citizen he also had the Latin name of ‘Paul’. – Slide 24
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The church in Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, grew in numbers. – Slide 25
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