The Former Persecutor Is Persecuted
From Arabia Paul “returned again to Damascus” (Galatians 1:17), and “preached boldly ... in the name of Jesus.” Unable to counter his arguments, “the Jews plotted to kill him.” They had the gates of the city guarded day and night to cut off his escape. Finally, the disciples “took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket” (NRSV).ULe 48.5
After his escape he went to Jerusalem, about three years having passed since his conversion. His chief purpose was to visit Peter (Galatians 1:18). Upon arriving “he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.” Could so bigoted a Pharisee become a sincere follower of Jesus? “But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”ULe 48.6
Soon the disciples had abundant evidence that his experience was genuine. The future apostle to the Gentiles was now back where his former associates lived, and he longed to make plain to these leaders the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Paul felt sure that these teachers in Israel were as sincere and honest as he had been. But he had miscalculated. Those at the head of the Jewish church refused to believe, but “attempted to kill him.”ULe 49.1
Sorrow filled his heart. With shame he thought of the part he had taken in Stephen’s martyrdom, and now he worked to show the validity of the truth for which Stephen had given his life.ULe 49.2
Burdened for those who refused to believe, Paul was praying in the temple when a heavenly messenger appeared and said, “Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, for they will not receive your testimony concerning Me” (Acts 22:18). To Paul it seemed cowardly to run away. And so he answered: “Lord, they know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believe on You. And when the blood of Your martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by consenting to his death, and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.” But God did not intend for His servant expose his life needlessly, and the heavenly messenger replied, “Depart; for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.” (Verses 19-21.)ULe 49.3
Learning of this vision, the believers quickly helped Paul’s secret escape. They “brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.” Paul’s departure suspended the violent opposition of the Jews for a while, and many people joined the believers.ULe 49.4