…”Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus. At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. 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?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭19‬-‭22‬ ‭NIV‬‬

This Saul was incorrigible! All the energy he poured into hating believers and hounding them even to death, he now concentrated on preaching that Jesus was the Son of God….confessing Him as Lord. No wonder the people in Damascus were nonplussed. What had happened to this man?   

The Word of God, now alive in Saul, could not be silenced. His message in Damascus was electric in its effects. People in the Jewish synagogues were confused by his message. Why was he preaching the very Jesus he had so violently opposed?

Saul’s zeal began to be a problem for him and his fellow believers in Damascus. His fiery preaching was raising the eyebrows…of the wrong people…the opposition…the same fanatical Jews he had once represented. These angry Jews said he had to be silenced! The boot was now on the other foot. 

To save themselves, and Saul, and to evade his would-be killers, the believers shipped Saul out of Damascus…in the middle of the night…down the city wall…in a basket! Saul’s enthusiasm had cooked his goose! 

Poor Saul! Back in Jerusalem, he was also suspect. 

“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.”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭9‬:‭26‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Was he planning to infiltrate the church…to spy on them…to attack them? He wanted to be part of the fellowship but they didn’t trust him…

…except for one man, his only true friend…Barnabas. Jesus had His ally…the one who recognised genuine faith… 

Enter Barnabas! Who was Barnabas?

Barnabas was a big-hearted, magnanimous, generous, caring man. He recognised something in Saul that the other believers in Jerusalem refused to believe…a genuine faith in Jesus that had transformed Saul’s life. Saul was not pretending. His faith was real, authentic, his testimony riveting. Barnabas was willing to give Saul the benefit of the doubt.  

Barnabas not only proved to be right and a real friend but he also became a colleague and fellow-sufferer with Paul on his first preaching journey through Asia Minor. 

The plot, in this international drama, was thickening. Jesus was lining up the players who would participate in His building programme…to gather the living stones that would form His church on earth, as He said He would.  

To be continued