SAUL’S BOLD WITNESS
Acts 9:20-31
So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. (28)
chapter 9
20. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
21. All 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?"
22. Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23. After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,
24. but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.
25. But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26. When 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.
27. But 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.
28. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.
29. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.
30. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31. Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened. Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Saul went into the synagogue and preached that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. The man who had raised havoc among Christians in Jerusalem, and who had come to Damascus to destroy the church, had become a bold witness to Jesus. His testimony was so powerful that the Jews decided to kill him. He escaped when the Christians lowered him in a basket through a hole in the city wall. Only Jesus could bring about such a change in a person.
2. In Jerusalem, the Christians feared him. They could not accept him. But Barnabas trusted God and helped Saul. He had faith to believe that God could change him, and eyes to see God'swork. Paul'sfearless witness of Jesus again put his own life, as well as the lives of others, at risk. So the believers sent him to Tarsus, his home. There was peace in the church and a new work of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer: Father, thank you for saving us from our sins and giving us the Holy Spirit, which can change anyone into a bold witness of Jesus.
One Word: A bold witness of Jesus