Paul hated Christians. He believed their stories about Jesus were all lies. In Jerusalem, Paul went round making threats against Christians and reminding them of what had happened to Stephen. To escape Paul, some Christians went to the city of Damascus. But Paul was soon after them with the permission of the High Priest to arrest them and bring them back to Jerusalem.

Paul set off with some other men for Damascus. As they approached the city, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around Paul. He fell to the ground and heard a voice saying, "Why are you persecuting me?"

In confusion, Paul shouted, "Who are you?"

The voice answered, "I am Jesus. I am the One you are persecuting. Get up now and go into the city. Someone there will tell you what you must do."

The men with Paul were confused too. They heard the voice but they saw no-one except Paul. Blind Paul! The bright light had blinded him. So the men took Paul by the hand and led him into Damascus. For three days, he couldn't see, and he didn't eat or drink.

In Damascus, there was a follower of Jesus called Ananias. In a dream, God said to him, "Go to the house in Straight Street, where a man called Paul is praying. Place your hands on him so that he might see again."

Ananias was shocked, "But, Lord, many people have told me about this man. He has come to Damascus to arrest us all."

"Go!" said God. "I have chosen Paul to tell everybody about me."

So Ananias went to the house in Straight Street and placed his hands on Paul, saying, "Brother Paul, Jesus has sent me to you. He is the one you saw on the road. He wants you to see again."

Immediately something like fish scales fell from Paul's eyes and he was able to see. Then Paul got up and was baptised.

The man who had hated the followers of Jesus had become a follower himself.