26 May. Saul (Paul) is filled with the Holy Spirit
"There was a follower of Jesus in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to Ananias in a vision, 'Ananias!' Ananias answered, 'Here I am, Lord.' The Lord said to him, 'Get up and go to Straight Street.'"
"'Find the house of Judas, and ask for a man named Saul from the city of Tarsus. He is there now praying. Saul has seen a vision in which a man named Ananias comes to him and lays his hands on him. Then he is able to see again.'"
"But Ananias answered, 'Lord, many people have told me about this man and the terrible things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. Now he has come here to Damascus, and the leading priests have given him the power to arrest everyone who worships you.'"
"But the Lord said to Ananias, 'Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.'"
"So Ananias went to the house of Judas. He laid his hands on Saul and said, 'Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus sent me. He is the one you saw on the road on your way here. He sent me so you can see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.'"
"Immediately, something that looked like fish scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he was able to see again! Then Saul got up and was baptised. After he ate some food, his strength returned."
(Acts 9:10-19)
Ananias – a follower of Jesus living in Damascus – had a vision of the Lord Jesus who told him to go to Saul.
Ananias had heard of Saul’s reputation and objected, but the Lord said, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings, and to the people of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
So Ananias went to the house of Judas on Straight Street – still the main thoroughfare in the old city of Damascus today – and found Saul. He prayed that Saul would be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Immediately, Saul was changed. Something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again! He was baptised and, on regaining his strength, he began at once to teach in the Jewish synagogues of Damascus that Jesus is the Son of God – the promised 'Messiah' or 'Christ' - the 'anointed one'.
The photo (by Bernard Gagnon) shows Straight Street in Damascus today.
You can read more about Damascus and Paul's remarkable conversion experience @ https://www.thebiblejourney.org/…/saul-persecutes-the-beli…/