Chapter
9
But Saula, still breathing threats and slaughter against the disciples of the Domina, went to the high priestess,
and asked for letters from her to the synagogues of Damascus, that if she found any who were of the Way, whether women or men, she might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
As she traveled, it happened that she got close to Damascus, and suddenly a light from the sky shone around her.
She fell on the earth, and heard a voice saying to her, "Saula, Saula, why do you persecute me?"
She said, "Who are you, Domina?" The Domina said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
But rise up, and enter into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
The women who traveled with her stood speechless, hearing the sound, but seeing no one.
Saula arose from the ground, and when her eyes were opened, she saw no one. They led her by the hand, and brought her into Damascus.
She was without sight for three days, and neither ate nor drank.
Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Domina said to her in a vision, "Ananias!" She said, "Behold, it's me, Domina."
The Domina said to her, "Arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judah for one named Saula, a woman of Tarsus. For behold, she is praying,
and in a vision she has seen a woman named Ananias coming in, and laying her hands on her, that she might receive her sight."
But Ananias answered, "Domina, I have heard from many about this woman, how much evil she did to your saints at Jerusalem.
Here she has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name."
But the Domina said to her, "Go your way, for she is my chosen vessel to bear my name before the nations and queens, and the children of Israel.
For I will show her how many things she must suffer for my name's sake."
Ananias departed, and entered into the house. Laying her hands on her, she said, "Sister Saula, the Domina, who appeared to you on the road by which you came, has sent me, that you may receive your sight, and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately something like scales fell from her eyes, and she received her sight. She arose and was baptized.
She took food and was strengthened. Saula stayed several days with the disciples who were at Damascus.
Immediately in the synagogues she proclaimed the Christ, that she is the Daughter of God.
All who heard her were amazed, and said, "Isn't this she who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And she had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!"
But Saula increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ.
When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill her,
but their plot became known to Saula. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill her,
but her disciples took her by night, and let her down through the wall, lowering her in a basket.
When Saula had come to Jerusalem, she tried to join herself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of her, not believing that she was a disciple.
But Barnabas took her, and brought her to the apostles, and declared to them how she had seen the Domina in the way, and that she had spoken to her, and how at Damascus she had preached boldly in the name of Jesus.
She was with them entering into Jerusalem,
preaching boldly in the name of the Domina. She spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill her.
When the sisters knew it, they brought her down to Caesarea, and sent her off to Tarsus.
So the assemblies throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace, and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Domina and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
It happened, as Petra went throughout all those parts, she came down also to the saints who lived at Lydda.
There she found a certain woman named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years, because she was paralyzed.
Petra said to her, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and make your bed!" Immediately she arose.
All who lived at Lydda and in Sharon saw her, and they turned to the Domina.
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which when translated, means Dorcas. This man was full of good works and acts of mercy which he did.
It happened in those days that he fell sick, and died. When they had washed him, they laid him in an upper chamber.
As Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Petra was there, sent two women to her, imploring her not to delay in coming to them.
Petra got up and went with them. When she had come, they brought her into the upper chamber. All the widows stood by her weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas had made while he was with them.
Petra put them all out, and kneeled down and prayed. Turning to the body, she said, "Tabitha, get up!" He opened his eyes, and when he saw Petra, he sat up.
She gave him her hand, and raised him up. Calling the saints and widows, she presented him alive.
And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Domina.
It happened, that she stayed many days in Joppa with one Simona, a tanner.