Paul remained “certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God,” who “died for our sins according to the Scriptures; ... was buried, and ... rose again the third day.” 1 Corinthians 15:3, 4. His arguments from prophecy were so conclusive that the Jews were confounded and unable to answer him.
(TT 66.1)
He who had journeyed to Damascus to persecute the believers was now preaching the gospel, strengthening its disciples, and bringing in new converts! Formerly known as a zealous defender of the Jewish religion, Paul could reason with extraordinary clearness, and by his withering sarcasm could place an opponent in no enviable light. Now the Jews saw this young man of unusual promise fearlessly preaching in the name of Jesus.
(TT 66.2)
A general slain in battle is lost to his army, but his death gives no strength to the enemy. But when a man of prominence joins the opposing forces, they gain a decided advantage. Saul might easily have been struck dead by the Lord, and much strength would have been withdrawn from the persecuting power. But God not only spared Saul’s life but converted him, transferring a champion from the side of the enemy to the side of Christ. An eloquent speaker and a severe critic, Paul, with stern purpose and undaunted courage, possessed the very qualifications needed in the early church.
(TT 66.3)
All who heard him in Damascus were amazed. He declared that his change of faith had not been prompted by impulse, but by overwhelming evidence. He showed that the prophecies relating to the first advent of Christ had been literally fulfilled in Jesus of Nazareth.
(TT 67.1)
Paul “increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.” But many hardened their hearts, and soon their astonishment at his conversion was changed into intense hatred.
(TT 67.2)
The opposition grew so fierce that Paul was not allowed to continue at Damascus. He “went into Arabia” (Galatians 1:17), where he found a safe retreat.
(TT 67.3)
In the solitude of the desert Paul had opportunity for study and meditation. He calmly reviewed his past experience and sought God with all his heart, resting not until he knew for certain that his repentance was accepted and his sin pardoned. Jesus communed with him and established him in the faith, bestowing upon him a rich measure of wisdom and grace. When the mind is brought into communion with the mind of God, the effect on body, mind, and soul is beyond estimate.
(TT 67.4)
Ananias under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit had said to Paul: “The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know His will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of His mouth. For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:14-16.
(TT 67.5)
Jesus Himself, when He arrested Saul on the journey to Damascus, declared: “I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in Me.” Acts 26:16-18.
(TT 67.6)
As he pondered these things, Paul understood more clearly his call “to be an apostle of Christ Jesus.” 1 Corinthians 1:1. His call had come “not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father.” Galatians 1:1, RSV. He gave much study to the Scriptures, that he might preach “not with eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power,”“but in demonstration of the Spirit and power,” that the faith of all who heard “might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:17; 2:4, 5, RSV. Viewing the wisdom of the world in the light of the cross, Paul “decided to know nothing ... except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1 Corinthians 2:2, RSV.
(TT 68.1)
Paul never lost sight of the Source of wisdom and strength. Hear him declare, “For to me to live is Christ.” Philippians 1:21. “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For His sake I have suffered the loss of all things.” Philippians 3:8, RSV.
(TT 68.2)
From Arabia Paul “returned again unto Damascus” (Galatians 1:17), and “preached boldly ... in the name of Jesus.” Unable to withstand his arguments, “the Jews took counsel to kill him.” The gates of the city were guarded day and night to cut off his escape. Finally, the disciples “took him by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket.” RSV.
(TT 68.3)
After his escape he went to Jerusalem, about three years having passed since his conversion. His chief object was to visit Peter. Galatians 1:18. Upon arriving “he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.” Could so bigoted a Pharisee become a sincere follower of Jesus? “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”
(TT 68.4)
Soon the disciples had abundant evidence as to the genuineness of his experience. The future apostle to the Gentiles was now where his former associates lived, and he longed to make plain to these leaders the prophecies concerning the Messiah. Paul felt sure that these teachers in Israel were as sincere and honest as he had been. But he had miscalculated. Those at the head of the Jewish church refused to believe, but “went about to slay him.”
(TT 69.1)
Sorrow filled his heart. With shame he thought of the part he had taken in the martyrdom of Stephen, and now he sought to vindicate the truth for which Stephen had given his life.
(TT 69.2)
Burdened for those who refused to believe, Paul was praying in the temple when a heavenly messenger appeared and said, “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning Me.” Acts 22:18. To Paul it seemed an act of cowardice to flee. And so he answered: “Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I imprisoned and beat those who believed in Thee. And when the blood of Stephen Thy witness was shed, I also was standing by and approving, and keeping the garments of those who killed him.” But it was not the purpose of God that His servant should needlessly expose his life, and the heavenly messenger replied, “Depart; for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.” Verses 19-21, RSV.
(TT 69.3)
Learning of this vision, the brethren hastened Paul’s secret escape. They “brought him down to Caesarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus.” The departure of Paul suspended for a time the violent opposition of the Jews, and many were added to the number of believers.
(TT 69.4)