25. But his followers helped him escape by night. They lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26. When Saul came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the believers. But they were all afraid of him. They didn't believe he was really one of Jesus' followers.
27. But Barnabas took him to the apostles. He told them about Saul's journey. He said that Saul had seen the Lord. He told how the Lord had spoken to Saul. Barnabas also said that Saul had preached without fear in Jesus' name in Damascus.
28. So Saul stayed with the believers. He moved about freely in Jerusalem. He spoke boldly in the Lord's name.
29. He talked and argued with Jews who followed Greek practices. But they tried to kill him.
30. The other believers heard about this. They took Saul down to Caesarea. From there they sent him off to Tarsus.
31. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. The Holy Spirit gave the church strength and boldness. So they grew in numbers. And they worshiped the Lord.
32. As Peter traveled around the country, he went to visit God's people in Lydda.
33. There he found a disabled man named Aeneas. For eight years the man had spent most of his time in bed.
34. "Aeneas," Peter said to him, "Jesus Christ heals you. Get up! Take care of your mat!" So Aeneas got up right away.
35. Everyone who lived in Lydda and Sharon saw him. They turned to the Lord.
36. In Joppa there was a believer named Tabitha. Her name in the Greek language was Dorcas. She was always doing good and helping poor people.
37. About that time she became sick and died. Her body was washed and placed in a room upstairs.