Acts 9

“And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest,” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or…” Naming Damascus and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:” Naming Damascus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man.” The line’s distinctive content terms include hearing, journeyed, seeing. Its relationship to verses 6 and 8 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought…” Naming Damascus and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he…” Naming Ananias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas…” The number one makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.” Naming Ananias keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:” Naming Ananias and Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.” The line’s distinctive content terms include authority, bind, call. Its relationship to verses 13 and 15 shows what work it does in this passage.

“But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and…” Naming Gentiles and Israel keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even…” Naming Ananias and Brother keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was…” The line’s distinctive content terms include arose, baptized, eyes. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at…” Naming Damascus and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.” Naming Christ keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in…” The question slows the passage down. Notice who is being pressed to answer, what the question assumes, and whether the next lines provide a response.

“But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very…” Naming Christ and Damascus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him:” Naming Jews keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.” Naming Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket.” The line’s distinctive content terms include basket, disciples, night. Its relationship to verses 26 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and…” Naming Jerusalem and Saul keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way…” Naming Barnabas and Damascus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem.” Naming Jerusalem keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.” Naming Grecians and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.” Naming Tarsus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Then had the churches rest throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of…” Naming Galilee and Ghost keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And there he found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years, and was sick of the palsy.” The number eight makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose immediately.” Naming Christ and Jesus keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord.” Naming Lydda keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full…” Naming Dorcas and Joppa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper…” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.

“And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two…” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows…” Naming Dorcas and Peter keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she…” Naming Peter and Tabitha keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.” The line’s distinctive content terms include alive, gave, hand. Its relationship to verses 42 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.” Naming Joppa keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with one Simon a tanner.” This familiar narrative signal moves the clock forward. What follows is a new scene, consequence, or answer to an earlier tension.