High drama. The story of Paul's miraculous conversion from pious persecutor to proud preacher. We all remember it from Sunday school: the Damascus Road, the light from heaven, the voice. Some of us have had similar experiences as well, although perhaps not as dramatic.

The drama in this one is heightened once Saul is brought into the city. Following a three-day pause in darkness (is there something significant about three days — echoes of the resurrection, no doubt), we hear the story of one of the most courageous house calls in the history of Christianity: an otherwise-unknown disciple named Ananias, prompted by a celestial vision, throws caution to the wind and comes to meet this fearsome tormentor. Ananias introduces himself, places his hands on blind Saul and says, "Brother Saul, the …