As someone who was a byproduct of public education, going to school every day was an adventure. Whether it was my 3 years attending an inner-city school in Wilmington or 6 more in the suburbs, I was taught valuable life lessons. There were days that out of the blue someone suddenly hated you and wanted to fight. Back then, speaking up made you a nark or Uncle Tom overnight, turning right and wrong upside down.
And immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed Jesus, saying, He is the Son of God! 21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, Is not this the very man who harassed and overthrew and destroyed in Jerusalem those who called upon this Name? And he has come here for the express purpose of arresting them and bringing them in chains before the chief priests. 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and continued to confound and put to confusion the Jews who lived in Damascus by comparing and examining evidence and proving that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah). 23 After considerable time had elapsed, the Jews conspired to put Saul out of the way by slaying him, 24 But [the knowledge of] their plot was made known to Saul. They were guarding the [city’s] gates day and night to kill him, 25 But his disciples took him at night and let him down through the [city’s] wall, lowering him in a basket or hamper, Acts 9:20-25.
In the first century, there was a zealot Pharisee who despised the church Jesus started. Saul believed that Jesus was trying to tear down everything he was taught as a faithful Jew. Subsequently, Saul acted out rather than publicly debate Jesus’ disciples. After giving orders to murder the apostle Stephen, the Christian Church became fearful of the man known as Saul.
And when he had arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to associate himself with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe he really was a disciple. 27 However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and he explained to them how along the way he had seen the Lord, Who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached freely and confidently and courageously in the name of Jesus. 28 So he went in and out [as one] among them at Jerusalem, Acts 9:26-28.
Following the conversion of Saul on the Road to Damascus, none of the local church leaders believed that Saul was serious about his newfound faith. Many thought this decision was merely a ploy to further infiltrate the church. According to Luke, a first century historian, Barnabas was the only spiritual leader who spoke up on Saul’s behalf. Barnabas’ adamant defense convinces the disciples to accept Saul’s faith and opens the door for a missionary partnership in the book of Acts.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 