Acts 9:29 He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him.
Commentary on Acts 9 says that three years have passed between Saul’s Damascus Road experience and this verse. Three years, and folks still haven’t fully trusted that Saul truly met Jesus on the road to Damascus and that encounter changed his heart.
Acts 9:30 When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.
Acts 9 seems the epitome of “But God.” Saul relished the task of killing and persecuting those of The Way. He was good at it, respected for it. In the eyes of the world (or the Pharisees at least), he was doing a great service. But God saw his heart, stepped in, and opened his eyes. Now the world (the Pharisees at least) have turned their backs on him, the Christians don’t fully trust him, and he is happier?, more content?, more fulfilled? than he has ever been because he knows Jesus.
Acts 9:31a Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace and was strengthened.
Precious Savior, Thank You that this world is not our home. Thank You for community who loves You and loves me and helps me draw closer to You. Thank You for the ability to have a change of heart, for the ability to turn from destructive ways and return to You. Help us to give others the benefit of the doubt when it comes to being changed. Amen.
Acts 9:31b …Living in the fear of the Lord and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it increased in numbers.
Have a blessed day.