God had really grasped Saul’s attention. First on the road to Damascus, and then in Damascus. He proclaimed Christ’s validity with boldness to all who would listen. This was an annoyance to the Jews in the city, and so they decided to kill Saul. Saul was aided and He escaped to Jerusalem. In Jerusalem, things were a bit tense at first. Saul after all had wreaked Havoc on the believers there not very long before. But Barnabus saw that Saul was saved and as the son of encouragement, Barnabus became Saul’s friend and mentor.
As Saul was changed, peace reestablished in Jerusalem. The apostles were able to minister once again, and the church began to grow again. What would become one of the most turbulent and amazing ministries recorded in the Bible, Saul began by ending his siege of the Church.
When we ask the Lord to do things like heal or restore, we have no way of knowing how that will come to pass. Rarely does God do things the way we would expect Him to. Most times, His answer is so amazing, that we question its validity. Still, if we simply trust God, He will do the things necessary to execute His plan and bring about significant change. We can never give up or give in to the pressure of the world or of the enemy. Instead, we simply need to press on to take hold of God’s plan for our lives. If we will, we will see God do the remarkable in our lives and in the lives of others.
God Bless You
23 When many days had passed, the Jews[a] plotted to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall,[b] lowering him in a basket.
Saul in Jerusalem
26 And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists.[c] But they were seeking to kill him. 30 And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Walking With God 