Acts 9: 19-31

Acts 9:19-31

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." 21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?" 22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. 30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
NASU

Acts 9:19-31 Exposition

Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus,

Saul, after his conversion remains with the disciples in the city of Damascus. He finds fellowship with the very people he was sent to arrest and accepted by those he had opposed.

20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God."

Saul states about immediately sharing the good news that he has now embraced. The core of His message is that Jesus is the Son of God. What would have been anathema to him before is the heart of his message, so transformed by the Spirit is his heart toward Jesus. He goes immediately to his own people to persuade them of what he has come to know.

21 All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, "Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?"

His transformation astounds them as they see that he is the very one who so hated the name of Jesus and is now boldly proclaiming Him Conversion is seen when we who previously were either indifferent or hostile to Jesus are empowered to joyfully proclaim Him Lord and speak his name with adoration.

22 But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ.

The contrast grows as Saul grows in importance as one who teaches others as the the truth of Jesus Christ, “confounding” his fellow Jews with his teaching. His “proving” of Jesus is a word associated with teaching, showing and has the sense of bringing two things together, thus demonstrating the convincing and true argument to the Jews that Jesus was and is their Messiah.

23 When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him,

Like Jesus who was also rejected, and those who Saul persecuted before, Saul Himself finds himself the target of their rejection and plots of murder. There seems to be no answer by those who reject Christ that does not ultimately seek to fully silence the proclamation of Jesus' name. Death seems to be the chosen and convenient means the lost world chooses most frequently.

24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death;

As it was not in God's plan for Saul to die yet, he came to know of their plans.

25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

Saul again receives help by the hands of the church who protects him and sneaks him away.

26 When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple.

Saul's new reputation did not precede him to Jerusalem. He was still believed there to be Saul the great persecutor and they feared what he might be looking to do.

27 But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus.

Barnabas' name means “Son of Encouragement” Perhaps a nickname unless just an extremely appropriate given name. He does in face receive Saul when others feared to do so. Barnabas takes him to the Apostles that his testimony of his conversion might be tested and perhaps he may be examined so as to be approved genuine by the Apostles . How necessary is a Christian brother or sister to the new believer who needs a recommendation to the church that they in their newness might be accepted and able to enjoy the nurture and fellowship of the church.

28 And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

His place with the Apostles gave him the freedom, for a while, to speak in Jerusalem and proclaim the Name of Jesus there.

29 And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death.

He set out to debate with the Hellenists, Jews who had adopted many gentile ways and accommodated much of the Greek and Roman culture. Yet even among these “Liberals” of their day he found no acceptance, and even more plots of murder. It shows that among those who oppose Christ, even the most tolerant and accommodating will not tolerate or accommodate Jesus as Lord or those who proclaim Him.

30 But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus.

Again Saul is protected by the church and spirited away by them. His value and calling must have been evident to them, even if simply as a brother in Christ, for them to work together for his protection.

31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

For whatever reason God permitted that the Church would enjoy a time of freedom from persecution. Yet in this time and not as in our present day, this freedom was employed in the best way, to grow and strengthen the church. Today it is the church under persecution that is growing and the church at ease that is in decline. May we choose to use what freedom we have, while we have it to also grow and strengthen Christ's Church. Perhaps it was the recent nearness of persecution that inspired them to remain dilligent.