Saul’s Bold New Life — From Persecutor to Preacher (Acts 9:20–31)
Imagine a person who once fought hard against something—then suddenly becomes one of its biggest supporters. That’s exactly what happened to Saul after he met Jesus. In Acts 9:20–31, we see how quickly his life turned around—and how others responded to the change.
This part of Saul’s story reminds us that God can completely transform a life, and when He does, the world takes notice.
A Shocking Message
Right after Saul was healed and baptized, he didn’t waste any time. He began preaching in the synagogues (Jewish places of worship), boldly saying:
“Jesus is the Son of God.”
This shocked everyone! Just a few days ago, Saul was hunting down Christians. Now he was joining them and telling others about Jesus. People didn’t know what to make of it.
Lesson: When Jesus changes your heart, it’s hard to keep quiet about it.
Growing Strong in Faith
At first, people were confused by Saul’s message. But the more he spoke, the stronger he became in his faith. He could explain clearly from Scripture that Jesus really was the promised Savior.
Even his enemies couldn’t argue with his message. Saul’s knowledge of the Bible, combined with his personal experience, made his message powerful.
Lesson: God can use both our past and our passion to help others understand who Jesus is.
A Target on His Back
Saul’s bold preaching didn’t sit well with everyone. In Damascus, a group of people made a secret plan to kill him. But Saul found out, and with the help of his new friends, he escaped by night, being lowered in a basket through an opening in the city wall.
It’s a reminder that following Jesus isn’t always safe or easy, but God gives courage and help when we need it.
Lesson: God protects His people and often uses others to help us through tough times.
Doubt and Trust in Jerusalem
Saul then traveled to Jerusalem, but the believers there were afraid of him. Can you blame them? The last time they saw Saul, he was helping put Christians in prison or worse.
But then a man named Barnabas stepped in. He brought Saul to the apostles and explained what had happened—how Saul met Jesus, preached boldly, and truly had changed.
Thanks to Barnabas, the other believers welcomed Saul, and he began sharing Jesus in Jerusalem too.
Lesson: Sometimes people need someone like Barnabas to speak up for them. We all need encouragement and second chances.
Another Escape and Growing Peace
Once again, Saul’s preaching stirred up opposition. Some people tried to kill him, so the believers helped him escape to Tarsus, his hometown.
Then something beautiful happened. The early church—spread across Judea, Galilee, and Samaria—began to experience peace. The Bible says they were:
- Encouraged by the Holy Spirit
- Growing in numbers
- Living in the fear (respect) of the Lord
Even though things were still dangerous at times, the church was becoming stronger.
Lesson: God uses both peaceful and difficult seasons to help His people grow.
What Can We Learn?
- A changed life is powerful. Saul’s transformation showed everyone that no one is too far from God’s grace.
- New believers need support. Like Saul, many people face fear or doubt after choosing to follow Jesus. Encouragers like Barnabas make a big difference.
- God works through people. Friends helped Saul escape danger, and the church helped him grow. We are meant to support one another in faith.
- Growth takes courage. Saul didn’t wait for perfect conditions to speak up about Jesus. He started right away—and God used him mightily.
Saul’s journey had just begun, but already we can see how God was turning his story into something incredible. From enemy to preacher, from feared man to faithful servant—Saul’s life is proof that Jesus can make all things new.
Acts 9:20-31 (WEB)
9:20 Immediately in the synagogues he proclaimed the Christ, that he is the Son of God. 21 All who heard him were amazed, and said, “Isn’t this he who in Jerusalem made havoc of those who called on this name? And he had come here intending to bring them bound before the chief priests!”22 But Saul increased more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived at Damascus, proving that this is the Christ. 23 When many days were fulfilled, the Jews conspired together to kill him, 24 but their plot became known to Saul. They watched the gates both day and night that they might kill him, 25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall, lowering him in a basket.26 When Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join himself to the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. 28 He was with them entering into Jerusalem, 29 preaching boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus. He spoke and disputed against the Hellenists, but they were seeking to kill him. 30 When the brothers knew it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus.31 So the assemblies throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were built up. They were multiplied, walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit.