19b Now for several days [afterward] Saul remained with the disciples who were at Damascus. 20 And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!” 21 All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

23 After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him; 25 but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket. 

Acts 9:19b – 25 (AMP) 中文

Persecutor to proclaimer

A previous passage started the transformation of Saul from persecutor of the Gospel to Paul, proclaimer of the Gospel. Saul has been confronted by Jesus which changed his life 180°. His vision was restored and, as a believer, he was baptized and received the Spirit.

Now what?

As we read the NT and Paul’s numerous letters, we get a good idea of his personality. He was not the type to sit around. Here, he quickly gets to work in his new ministry. He goes about preaching Jesus as Lord, arguing with the Jewish religious leaders in Damascus. Many are convinced by his testimony. “It is true that young Christians shouldn’t hastily be put in positions of authority in the church (1 Timothy 3:6), but you don’t need a position of authority to serve God and to tell others about Jesus.” (enduringword.com)

Persecutor persecuted

The tables have turned. Paul changes roles from persecutor to persecuted. As he will write later in 2 Corinthians 5:17, the old has passed away and all has become new. Many of the leaders are not happy and seek to put him to death! It’s like the enemy’s secret weapon has been captured and is now being used against them. This incident of escaping was later referenced by Paul in a letter to the believers in the city of Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 11:32-33). 

3 years later

There’s actually a time jump of three years in v23. In Galatians 1:16-18, Paul wrote to the church in Galatia about this time period. “Paul spent a total of three years in Damascus and Arabia (Galatians 1:18); truly these were many days.” (enduringword.com) He’s escaped death once and is now headed to Jerusalem. He surely did not fear death as he will meet the same fate in the religious center of Judaism!

RЯeflection

• Are you a “go-getter”? You see and know what needs to be done and just do it? Surely if it’s Kingdom work, we want to act and not sit around. And we want to be certain to confirm that call and good work with the Lord. Sometimes we jump the gun ahead of God’s plan or do what we think is the good work but it’s not what God has in mind for us.
• And let’s be quick to do the good works God has for us to do. We don’t need a position of authority to serve God and to tell others about Jesus.