Saul of Tarsus, persecutor of Christians, and carrying letters of authority from the chief priests in Jerusalem to seize and to bind and to bring to Jerusalem for punishment those who called on the name of the Lord, was on a mission to Damascus, a city of Syria, in order to pursue his infamous designs. As he drew near that distant city, there "shown from heaven a great light round about" him, and he heard a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?" He answered, "Who art thou, Lord?" The answer came, "I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest." Saul in response, said, "What shall I do, Lord?" Jesus answered, "Arise, and go into Damascus: and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do."

The determined persecutor, blinded by a light above the brightness of the Syrian sun, was "led by the hand of them that were with" him, and eventually was brought into Damascus. Meantime, Ananias, a gospel preacher, had been sent to him, and on approaching him, said "The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 9:1-20; 22:1,21

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