Bible Verses About Damascus: Paul's experiences in

The cohen hagadol and the whole Sanhedrin can also testify to this. Indeed, after receiving letters from them to their colleagues in Dammesek, I was on my way there in order to arrest the ones in that city too and bring them back to Yerushalayim for punishment.

“As I was traveling and approaching Dammesek, around noon, suddenly a brilliant light from heaven flashed all around me!

I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me?’

I answered, ‘Sir, who are you?’ ‘I am Yeshua from Natzeret,’ he said to me, ‘and you are persecuting me!’

Those who were with me did see the light, but they didn’t hear the voice of the one who was speaking to me.

I said ‘What should I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Get up, and go into Dammesek, and there you will be told about everything that has been laid out for you to do.’

I had been blinded by the brightness of the light, so my companions led me by the hand into Dammesek.

“A man named Hananyah, an observant follower of the Torah who was highly regarded by the entire Jewish community there,

came to me, stood by me and said, ‘Brother Sha’ul, see again!’ And at that very moment, I recovered my sight and saw him.

He said, ‘The God of our fathers determined in advance that you should know his will, see the Tzaddik and hear his voice;

because you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

So now, what are you waiting for? Get up, immerse yourself and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.’

“On one such occasion, I was traveling to Dammesek with the full authority and power of the head cohanim.

I was on the road, and it was noon, your Majesty, when I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and my traveling companions.

We all fell to the ground; and then I heard a voice saying to me, in Hebrew, ‘Sha’ul! Sha’ul! Why do you keep persecuting me? It’s hard on you to be kicking against the ox-goads!’

I said, ‘Who are you, sir?’ and the Lord answered, ‘I am Yeshua, and you are persecuting me!

But get up, and stand on your feet! I have appeared to you to appoint you to serve and bear witness to what you have already seen of me, and to what you will see when I appear to you in the future.

I will deliver you from the People and from the Goyim. I am sending you

to open their eyes; so that they will turn from darkness to light, from the power of the Adversary to God, and thus receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who have been separated for holiness by putting their trust in me.’

“So, King Agrippa, I did not disobey the vision from heaven!

On the contrary, I announced first in Dammesek, then in Yerushalayim and throughout Y’hudah, and also to the Goyim, that they should turn from their sins to God and then do deeds consistent with that repentance.