Acts 9:19-31
Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem
Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. 20At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 21All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" 22Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Christ.
23After many days had gone by, the Jews conspired to kill him, 24but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him. 25But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. 27But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. 28So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, 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 enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
Saul was just converted on the road to Damascus and blinded by Jesus...Jesus, through Ananias, healed Saul's blindness and now Saul is ready to preach to the Gentiles, and also the Jews...Saul, in Damascus, begins to preach and teach the Gospel...At once, Saul begins to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God...Not only did Saul tell those in Damascus that Jesus is the Son of God, but also proved that Jesus is the Christ, our Messiah...Those hearing Saul were astonished...They were astonished to hear about this new movement about Jesus' teachings, but also Saul who was a devout Pharisee, had been converted, so quickly...
We are told that Saul quickly grows more and more powerful...Saul who was taught by Gamaliel as a Pharisee...Saul was educated and knowledgeable of the Scripture...He was at the stoning of Stephen, the first Christian martyr and heard Stephen's eloquent speech to the Sanhedrin...Now in Damascus, Saul had been touched by Jesus...Armed with schooling, knowledge of Scripture, and recent experiences, and touched by Jesus, Saul is ready to minister to the Gentiles...Jesus is the reason why Saul is more and more powerful...Jesus had chosen Saul to be His chosen instrument to carry His name to the Gentiles...
After many days in Damascus, the Jews there conspired to kill Saul...Saul gained knowledge of this conspiracy and his followers helped him escape Damascus by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the wall...
Saul, converted, made his way to Jerusalem and wanted to talk to Jesus' disciples...The disciples were afraid of Saul, because before he left Jerusalem, he was against the ideas of Jesus and the new Christian movement...The disciples did not believe him... But Barnabas took Saul and brought him to the disciples and told the disciples how he had preached fearlessly the name of Jesus...He had converted...Jesus had changed his life...
Saul now with the immediate followers of Jesus would learn more and more about Jesus...In fact, he stayed with disciples...He boldly spoke throughout Jerusalem about Jesus..He debated with the Grecian Jews about Jesus...The Grecian Jews also tried to kill him...
Now with new knowledge of staying with the friends and immediate followers of Jesus, he knew much about the Messiah's life and teachings...He had the Holy Spirit with him...He was encouraged by the Holy Spirit...He was now ready to be the chosen instrument to teach the Gentiles...Knowing the Grecian Jews were plotting to kill him and armed now with more knowledge and experiences about Jesus, the brothers took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus...
We are told, the early Christian leaders of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria grew the early church and had a time of peace...Living in the fear of the LORD and strengthened by the Holy Spirit, Christianity is starting to take off...Its roots are starting to grow...
Saul was bold, knowledgeable, and a great speaker...He was part of God's plan...