Acts 9:19-30

The Persecutor Becomes a Preacher

Once he was baptized and had broken his fast by partaking of some food, Saul began to be with the disciples. Saul immediately began preaching in Damascus, then went to Arabia and returned to preach in Damascus again. Those who heard the former persecutor preach marvelled at his preaching. As he grew in strength, Saul successfully answered the challenge of the Jews and was able to prove Jesus is God's anointed and Son. Unable to refute his arguments, the Jews plotted to kill him. Somehow Saul learned of the plot and the brethren delivered him in a basket through the wall and outside the city.

When he arrived in Jerusalem, Saul was rejected by the disciples as a fellow believer. Barnabas took him to the apostles, which according to Galatians 1:18-19 may only refer to Peter and James, the Lord's brother. While with them, Saul told the story of his conversion and subsequent bold preaching in Damascus. Just as Stephen had done, Saul disputed with the Hellenists (compare Acts 6:8-9), and, just as with Stephen, they attempted to kill him. When the brethren discovered the plot, they sent him to Tarsus by way of Caesarea (Acts 9:19-30).