Acts 9:20-31
The Persecutor Proclaims Christ
20Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, “He is the Son of God.”
21All who heard him were astounded and asked, “Isn’t this the man who wreaked havoc in Jerusalem on those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
22But Saul was empowered all the more, and he confounded the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23After many days had passed, the Jews conspired to kill him,
24but Saul learned of their plot. Day and night they watched the city gates in order to kill him.
25One night, however, his disciples took him and lowered him in a basket through a window in the wall.
26When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.
27Then Barnabas brought him to the apostles and described how Saul had seen the Lord, who had spoken to him on the road to Damascus, and how Saul had spoken boldly in that city in the name of Jesus.
28So Saul stayed with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem and speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria experienced a time of peace. It grew in strength and numbers, living in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
Berean Standard Bible
Saul does not keep his encounter with Jesus private. He goes into the synagogues and proclaims that Jesus is the Son of God. The same people who knew why Saul had come to Damascus are astonished by the change.
Saul promptly began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, declaring, "He is the Son of God."
His boldness grows, but opposition grows with it. Saul escapes a plot by being lowered through the wall in a basket, then finds that the disciples in Jerusalem are afraid to trust him. Barnabas listens to his story and brings him to the apostles. Saul speaks boldly again until the brothers must send him away for his safety. Meanwhile, the church enjoys a season of peace and encouragement.
Saul's first public witness in Damascus is immediate and costly. He goes to the synagogues and declares that Jesus is the Son of God. The listeners are amazed because they know he came to destroy the people who call on Jesus' name. Saul's new conviction is not a private adjustment; it changes the message he announces and the community he now joins.
As Saul grows stronger, he proves from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. The opposition also grows. Some Jews plot to kill him and watch the city gates, so the disciples lower him in a basket through an opening in the wall. The church does not confuse courage with refusing practical help. Saul escapes because other believers take responsibility for his safety.
In Jerusalem, Saul tries to join the disciples, but they are afraid and do not believe he is a genuine disciple. Barnabas listens, brings him to the apostles, and tells them about Saul's encounter with Jesus and his bold preaching. Saul then speaks in the Lord's name until another plot forces the believers to send him to Tarsus. The churches enjoy peace, are strengthened, and grow as they walk in the fear of the Lord and the comfort of the Holy Spirit.
Questions
1 What did Saul begin proclaiming?
AnswerHe proclaimed that Jesus is the Son of God.
2 Why did Saul leave Damascus?
AnswerThe Jews conspired to kill him, so his disciples lowered him through the wall in a basket.
3 Who helped the apostles receive Saul?
AnswerBarnabas brought Saul to the apostles and explained what had happened.
4 What characterized the church during its season of peace?
AnswerIt was strengthened, multiplied, and lived in the fear of the Lord and the encouragement of the Holy Spirit.
What This Means for Us
Real change may take time for other people to recognize. Saul needed both a new direction and a patient advocate. A healthy community can be cautious about the past while still making room for evidence of grace.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, make our repentance visible in the direction of our lives. Give us wisdom to welcome changed people and courage to speak about your mercy. Amen.