HEAVEN Acts 9:1-4

Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples
Acts 8:3 But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off men and women and put them in prison.

asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus
Isaiah 17:1 An oracle concerning Damascus: "See, Damascus will no longer be a city but will become a heap of ruins."
Jeremiah 49:23 "Damascus has become feeble, she has turned to flee and panic has gripped her; anguish and pain have seized her, pain like that of a woman in labor."

so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way
Acts 19:9 But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.
Acts 19:23 About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way.
Acts 22:4 "I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, ..."
Acts 24:14 "However, I admit that I worship the God of our fathers as a follower of the Way, which they call a sect. I believe everything that agrees with the Law and that is written in the Prophets, ..."
Acts 24:22 Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. "When Lysias the commander comes," he said, "I will decide your case."

suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him
1 Corinthians 15:7-8 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.

He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him
Isaiah 6:8 Then I heard the voice of the LORD saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"

NOTES:
Saul - Acts 7:58; 22:3; Philippians 3:4-14
Murderous threats - Acts 8:1; 26:10
The Way - John 14:6; Acts 16:17; 18:25-26
Light from heaven - Acts 26:13
Why do you persecute me? - 1 Corinthians 12:27; Ephesians 1:22-23

Read Luke 7

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV®, Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.