From Destruction To Proclamation

All throughout Scripture we are confronted with transformation. When we were studying Genesis we discussed how God took Abraham from a moon worshipping pagan to the hero of faith who was used to found a nation! We saw Jacob go from a deceiving manipulator, to the man who uprooted his family and went to Egypt at the Word of God. As we move forward in Scripture we find Gideon a fearful man hiding from his enemies who is transformed into a army general! We have Ruth being transformed from an outsider and pagan to one of the women in the Messiah’s lineage! We get to the gospels and we have ordinary fishermen, a tax collector, a political zealot, and others transformed into the pillars of the church! We have a prostitute become a follower of Christ! God is about transformation! He is about taking men and women who we would write off and remaking them for His purpose and glory!

Of all the transformations in Scripture one of the most dramatic is that of Saul. He actively pursued the destruction of those who followed Jesus. He arrested them, imprisoned them, and made sure they were put to death. But then, the moment came when God said “enough!” Saul met the risen and glorified Lord on the road to Damascus and everything changed. We have seen Saul crushed and fasting in Damascus. He has met Ananias and had his sight restored and now we are going to see evidence of his transformation.

The greatest evidence of transformation is the proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I believe that this passage is going to challenge us with the price, profit, and product of proclaiming Christ.

Through learning these three outcomes of proclamation we will be motivated to proclaim Christ.

As we discuss this we will also highlight the transformation that has taken place in Saul.

The destroyer becomes the proclaimer and is…

Empowered By Christ To Preach The Gospel vv. 20-31

As Saul begins to proclaim Christ we learn…

1. The Price Of Proclamation vv. 20-25

Words have consequences. Anyone else notice that? Two words “I do” spoken in a ceremony have the power to knit two lives together. Three words “I hate you” have the power to shatter lives and shred hearts.

When we are transformed by the love, grace, and mercy of God, the expectation of Scripture is that we would then proclaim Him. When we do the uniform testimony of Scripture is that we will face

Persecution

This is played out very vividly in the life of Saul. When it comes to persecution it is helpful to understand the motivation and the method. These are both revealed here. First…

a. The motivation for persecution vv. 20-22

There are three really important points brought out in v. 20. When, where, and what. When did Saul begin preaching or proclaiming Christ? Immediately.

9:20 – Immediately preached Christ. Jesus in critical text.

9:20 – Immediately preached Christ.

Jesus in critical text.

Immediately – εὐθέως (eutheōs) at once; immediately. Immediately adv. — without delay or hesitation; with no time intervening. Adverb of means.

Immediately – εὐθέως (eutheōs)

No delay. No “should I or shouldn’t I” Saul get’s busy preaching Christ!

Ok. We have answered the “when” now for the “where”.

Where did Saul proclaim Christ? In the Synagogues. Plural! Not just one, but all of them in Damascus!

These are the centers of Jewish worship! It’s like walking into a Mormon church and preaching the gospel!

So, when did Saul preach? immediately. Where did he preach? The Synagogues. Now…

What did Saul proclaim? Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Some texts have Christ here and some have Jesus. Either way, Saul’s message is that Jesus is God manifest in human flesh. Young in the Lord but already has his theology straight!

Picture this introduction with me. Everyone, here is Saul the one persecuting those pesky Jesus followers. (Saul stands up) Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God! (shocked silence).

Saul has one crystal clear message. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.

Part of the motivation to persecute Saul was the clarity with which he declared the identity of Jesus Christ!

Why is this message so shocking? Let me stress once again that in Saul’s culture, a son is equal with the father. This is a claim of equality with God. It is a statement of the deity of Jesus Christ. Just to make this point really clear, turn to (p. 1226).

(p. 1226)

John 5:16–18 NKJV

For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus, and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.

Now turn over to (p. 1236).

(p. 1236)

John 10:30–33 NKJV

I and My Father are one.” Then the Jews took up stones again to stone Him. Jesus answered them, “Many good works I have shown you from My Father. For which of those works do you stone Me?” The Jews answered Him, saying, “For a good work we do not stone You, but for blasphemy, and because You, being a Man, make Yourself God.”

Jesus and Saul taught the same thing! Jesus is God! By the way, This is the message that separates Christianity from every other religion. And this is THE vital issue. The points of agreement we have with Catholicism, Mormonism, and Islam are not the issue. It is the differences that matter! Catholicism teaches that the death of Christ is not sufficient! Mormons teach that Jesus became a god and Islam teaches that Jesus is simply a great prophet. Jesus Christ is God manifest in human flesh and His death alone saves sinners! We cannot add anything to the sacrifice of Christ without cheapening it.

This is the message that Saul preached, He preached it immediately, in all the Synagogues.

Everyone who hears what Saul is doing is amazed in v.21. This word describes being almost out of your mind with shock. That is how dramatic this transformation has been! Their words express it well.

Where did Saul proclaim Christ? In the Synagogues. Plural! Not just one, but all of them in Damascus!

These are the centers of Jewish worship! It’s like walking into a Mormon church and preaching the gospel!

ii. Motivated by confusion v. 21

Everyone who hears what Saul is doing is amazed in v.21. This word describes being almost out of your mind with shock. That is how dramatic this transformation has been! Their words express it well.

Saul had come to Damascus to arrest and destroy those who call on the name of Jesus! He was to bring them to Jerusalem in chains.

Destroyed – πορθέω (portheō) destroy; pillage; wreak havoc. To destroy (damage) v. — to destroy completely; damage irreparably. Verb, aorist, active, substantival participle, singular, nominative, masculine.

Destroyed – πορθέω (portheō)

They are amazed and confused that one who persecuted those who followed Jesus would now proclaim Him as Messiah and God.

They confusion they feel over Saul’s transformation motivates them to persecute him.

Everyone is wondering what has changed. Why has the destroyer become a proclaimer. When we come to Christ, it transforms us. That transformation ought to be so apparent that people are shocked! The evidence of transformation is proclamation of Jesus Christ!

V. 22 continues to describe the transformed Saul.

There is something powerful here that is difficult to spot in English. The Greek for “increased in strength” is passive. Saul did not increase his own strength! How was he strengthened then? The obvious answer is through Christ and the Holy Spirit who now resides in Saul. However, there is another source of strength revealed in v. 19. The other believers. The third source of strength is the Word of God.

Any strength we have comes from Christ, the Holy Spirit, other saints, and the Word of God.

We know Saul is being strengthened by the Word because he is confounding the Jews and proving that Jesus is the Christ. We have to ask how. How is Saul confounding and proving? It must be through the OT.

Confounded – συγχέω (syncheō) stir up; confuse; confound. To bewilder v. — to astonish to such a degree that the mental faculties are confounded and a person is practically incapacitated. Finite verb, imperfect, active, indicative, third person, singular.

Confounded – συγχέω (syncheō)

Such an interesting word. They are incapacitated by the arguments presented by Saul. In other words, his reasoning is irrefutable. They cannot prove him wrong. Instead, he is proving that Jesus is the Christ!

Proving – συμβιβάζω (symbibazō) unite; advise; hold together. To prove v. — to establish the truth by argument, induction, or reasoning. Verb, present, active, instrumental participle, singular, nominative.

Proving – συμβιβάζω (symbibazō)

Using OT texts, Saul is establishing the reality that Jesus is the Messiah. I imagine that he used passages like what we are examining on Communion Sunday’s, .

Saul was persecuted because his clear, passionate preaching brought conviction.

So we clearly see the motive. They are motivated by Saul’s transformation, by the reality of what he now preaches and believes. The conclusion is that he must be silenced! And so the next section reveals…

b. The method of persecution vv. 23-25

We need to take a minute and talk about the timeline of Saul’s life. This is where the whole council of God is important because Luke kind of mashes some events together in talking about Saul. He does so on purpose to demonstrate the miraculous transformation as well as the benefit to the church that Saul’s conversion had. There is an approximately 3 yr time gap referenced only by the words “after many days were passed”. This gap is made clear by Paul in (p. 1337).

(p. 1337)

Galatians 1:17 NKJV

nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

Galatians 1:15–24 NKJV

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.) Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God in me.

Saul apparently spends three years in Arabia and then was back in Damascus (vv. 23-25) before going to Jerusalem (vv. 26-29). While Saul was in Damascus his preaching was so effective that the Jews decide to kill him.

Why? They want to silence him. For three years now he has been preaching Christ. He is effective and so they want to put an end to it.

V. 23 reveals that they plot to kill him. They met together and put a plan in motion. This is deliberate and intentional murder that they are plotting. Yet v. 24 reveals the Lord’s deliverance. But before we get to that a quick note.

They plot to kill him. They met together and put a plan in motion. This is deliberate and intentional murder that they are plotting. Yet v. 24 reveals the Lord’s deliverance.

Proclaiming Christ will not make you popular.

Look at our world today. Standing firm on the truth of Scripture is not a popular position! As Saul preaches Christ, he faces intense persecution.

Somehow, in v. 24, Saul learns of the plan. What fascinates me here is what the text doesn’t say. He doesn’t stop preaching, he doesn’t even leave until the disciples force him to! People are watching the gates for him 24/7. That’s the idea of “day and night”. This is quite the elaborate plot! They have committed a lot of manpower and resources to ending Saul’s life. gives some added insight here (S).

(p. 1335)

Somehow Saul learns of the plan. What fascinates me here is what the text doesn’t say. He doesn’t stop preaching, he doesn’t even leave until the disciples force him to! People are watching the gates for him 24/7. That’s the idea of “day and night”. This is quite the elaborate plot! They have committed a lot of manpower and resources to ending Saul’s life.

2 Corinthians 11:32 NKJV

In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;

When we are effective in our work for Christ, opposition will come. It will be organized and well funded. But there is something that we must never forget. (S).

(p. 1347)

Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

This is very hard to remember when people are plotting against you. However, we must always bear in mind that they are not the true enemy. The enemy is sin. The enemy is Satan. The enemy is the hosts of darkness working to keep people spiritually blind! This means that when we face opposition, when we face plots and trials, we keep our cool and we give them the Word of God. It is never worthless! It is always living, active, and powerful.

Saul learns of the plot, he knows they are watching the gates just waiting for him to try and leave. In v. 25, Saul escapes.

If you want to do an interesting study, look at the various roles baskets and inanimate objects have played in Scripture. Moses’ basket, this one, Gideon’s pitchers, Jael’s nail. There are some fascinating tools God has used for His purpose and glory. You and I are tools for His purpose and glory.

If you want to do an interesting study, look at the various roles baskets and inanimate objects have played in Scripture. Moses’ basket, this one, Gideon’s pitchers. There are some fascinating tools God has used for His purpose and glory.

The disciples rescue Saul by lowering him through the wall to avoid the gates and at night so he wouldn’t be seen. This is wisdom. Saul is being hunted, get him out. This teaches us an important lesson.

Avoid persecution and martyrdom when possible.

Something we will see several times in Acts is that the followers of Christ leave town when there is trouble. Yet at other times we see them sticking around and being arrested. There is discernment necessary to know the difference. The principle seems to be that we avoid persecution when we can do so without compromise.

When we proclaim Christ, there is always a chance that we will face persecution.

Will that stop us? That is the price to proclaim Christ, persecution. There is another outcome of proclaiming Christ. We next learn…

2. The Profit Of Proclamation vv. 26-30

When we proclaim Christ, good things happen. People hear the gospel, they are convicted, and some come to Christ and are converted. Another benefit of bold proclamation is

Fellowship

Through proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ we are able to fellowship with other like-minded believers. Saul experiences that here. These verses deal with what are almost three stages of fellowship.

a. Fellowship Prevented v. 26

We are explicitly told what prevents fellowship here. What prevents fellowship? Fear.

The power of Saul’s preaching has led to him fleeing Damascus. He arrives at Jerusalem and the disciples are too afraid of him to let him fellowship with them.

This is exactly what happened with Ananias when the Lord first told him to go talk to Saul! Saul’s past continues to haunt these believers. Especially those in Jerusalem where he had carried out the majority of his activities.

When we know someone who has been antagonistic, caustic, and belittling we can often struggle to believe they have changed. There is something within us that finds it difficult to believe that sinners can become saints! Part of that may be our struggle to accept it for ourselves.

Saul has been transformed! It has been three years and he has been powerfully preaching Christ. Yet still he is not trusted.

Fear prevents fellowship.

The end of v. 26 reveals that the cause of their fear is faithlessness.

They didn’t believe the conversion of Saul.

I can understand this. How can they be sure it isn’t a trap? They are cautious and afraid. They do not believe Saul.

We could very easily be guilty of this same thing. There is a balance between caution and care. Fear and faithlessness are not things that ought to characterize the life of a believer.

For genuine fellowship to occur there must be faith and acceptance.

Though initially rejected, Saul is eventually accepted due to one man’s willingness to take a chance. Through him we have…

b. Fellowship Promoted vv. 27-28

Thank God for Barnabas! Think about how different this story would be without those two words, “but Barnabas”. He comes and he presents Saul to the disciples in Jersualem. This introduction gives Saul a chance to share his testimony.

9:27 – Thank God for Barnabas!

The visual imagery is like Barnabas grabbing Saul and leading him to the apostles. Like “oh, they don’t believe you’re a follower of Jesus? Come with me.” “Everyone, this is Saul. You remember him, right? He wants to tell you all about how he came to Jesus!”

Without Barnabas, I believe that Saul may never have become Paul as we know him today.

ii. Promoted by presence v. 28

We need more Barnabases! We need men and women who will take new believers under their wing. Who will introduce them to mature believers. Who will trust them and accept them and help them along. Kent Hughes writes

Preaching the Word: Acts—The Church Afire Preparing for Service Through Other Believers’ Care for Us (Vv. 26–30)

We are often prepared for effective service by the counsel and care of other believers.

Saul gives a full systematic account of what has happened to him. Talk about transformation! Saul saw the Lord, he spoke with Him; this experience changed his life. Saul boldly preached Jesus in Damascus. The name that Saul had wanted to destroy, he now proclaims.

Barnabas gives a full systematic account of what has happened to Saul. Talk about transformation! Saul saw the Lord, he spoke with Him; this experience changed his life. Saul boldly preached Jesus in Damascus. This serves as three-fold testimony to the conversion of Saul. The name that Saul had wanted to destroy, he now proclaims.

For there to be fellowship, we need to hear each other’s testimonies. We need to know how the Lord brought us to Himself! How He has changed and transformed us!

We need to know how the Lord brought us to Himself! How He has changed and transformed us!

Fellowship is promoted when we are vulnerable with one another.

Saul is vulnerable here. Barnabas is as well. Are we willing to be vulnerable that the body of Christ might have fellowship?

Fellowship centers around the person and work of Jesus Christ.

In the world. Fellowship is about common interests or shared goals. In Christ our commonality is the One who redeemed us!

A bold proclamation of Christ promotes fellowship!

After Barnabas brings Saul in and gives him a chance to give his testimony, Saul is accepted and welcomed.

v. 28 reveals that their fellowship is promoted simply through Saul’s presence as he goes in and out among them. There is freedom here, and trust. They didn’t lock him up. No desire for revenge. What was needed was a Barnabas to step in and remove the fear and unbelief. They needed to get to know Saul. When they do we find the…

c. Fellowship Profited vv. 29-30

There are two areas of profit revealed here. The first we find in v. 29. The profit of Christ proclaimed v. 29.

i. The profit of Christ proclaimed v. 29

Saul speaks boldly in the name of Jesus. He is straightforward and fearless. Are we? Not only does he boldly proclaim Christ, He disputes the Greek speaking Jews.

Disputed – συζητέω (syzēteō) dispute; debate; argue. To debate v. — to discuss vehemently in order to reach a solution or an agreement. Finite verb, imperfect, active, indicative, third person, singular.

Disputed – συζητέω (syzēteō)

Saul debated and argued with these people. Not to prove himself right, but to win them to Christ! We already saw in v. 22 that Saul was able to prove from the OT that Jesus is the Christ. He isn’t just bold, Saul is clear, passionate, and convincing.

The response of these people is to once again plot Saul’s death. This time, however, they go a step further. They actually attempt to kill him.

Attempted – ἐπιχειρέω (epicheireō) attempt; endeavor; try. to endeavor v. — to attempt by employing effort. Finite verb, imperfect, active, indicative, third person, plural.

Attempted – ἐπιχειρέω (epicheireō)

The text seems to imply an actual attempt on Saul’s life. “Kill” is the same word used in vv. 23-24. The Jews wanted to get rid of Saul. They wanted to permanently silence him. This just goes to show how good he was! Saul’s proclamation of Christ is profiting the church.

Saul’s proclamation of Christ is profiting the church. Whenever Christ is proclaimed, the church is strengthened.

Whenever Christ is proclaimed, the church is strengthened.

Once again, Saul is delivered through the intervention of his brothers and sisters in Christ. The second area of profit is The profit of Saul protected v. 30.

ii. The profit of Saul protected v. 30

These believers, who 15 days before wanted nothing to do with Saul, now protect him by sending him home to Tarsus.

The wording is interesting here. It implies that Saul didn’t tell them an attempt had been made on his life! They discovered it. I believe that Saul had a desire to rebuild the church he once destroyed. Specifically the local church in Jerusalem. And so, he proclaims Christ boldly, and he debates passionately, even at the risk of his own life. How far are we willing to go?

There is a profit to proclamation and it is fellowship. But fellowship only happens as we are vulnerable with a local body of believers.

Saul is sent to his hometown of Tarsus. It must have been challenging to return there when he had left on the fast track to Jewish leadership. Now he is one of those Jesus followers! He remains there for 6-10 years until Barnabas recruits him to help in Antioch. Many of the trials he lists in probably occur during this time.

God has already begun to use this “chosen vessel” to bear His name. Saul has already begun to suffer. From Saul’s conversion we find…

3. The Product Of Proclamation v. 31

There is a very powerful verse that describes what redemption accomplishes on our behalf. That verse is (S).

(p.1297)

Romans 5:1 NKJV

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

When the gospel of Jesus Christ is proclaimed and we place our faith in Him, we have peace with God. Here in this passage we see evidence of this peace as well as peace with others. In these verses peace makes way for two blessings. First…

Peace

a. Peace allows edification v. 31a

This verse begins with the word “then”. This is an inferential conjunction which means that it serves as the conclusion for what has gone before. The implication is that the conversion of Saul has brought peace to the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. When we look back at how this chapter started we can easily see how this is true. Look at vv. 1-2. Saul had been destroying the church! He had been persecuting believers. Now the destroyer has become a proclaimer!

The peace that came to the church as a result of Saul’s conversion has resulted in edification.

The church is being built up, strengthened and matured.

Not only are they being edified because of the peace, I believe that part of this edification has taken place because of Saul’s bold, passionate, and persuasive preaching!

We also get a hint here of what is coming in Acts. The command of Christ in 1:8 was to reach Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. So far, the ends of the earth have not been reached.

The church has peace and the church is being built up. God is at work! He is using Saul to reach people for Christ. Lives are being transformed. The gospel is taking root. All of this leads to the second blessing that peace makes way for…

What kind of peace? Not absence of conflict!

b. Peace allows multiplication v. 31b

I am fascinated by the order of events here. Fear + Comfort = Multiplied.

Comfort – παράκλησις (paraklēsis) comfort; encouragement. Exhortation n. — the act of earnestly supporting or encouraging (a response or action). Noun (prepositional object), dative, singular, feminine.

9:31 - Fear + Comfort = Multiplied.

Comfort – παράκλησις (paraklēsis)

In Jesus promises to send another paraklete, translated helper or comforter. In v. 17 He tells us that the comforter is the Spirit of truth. (S).

(p. 1242)

John 14:16–17 NKJV

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you.

The Holy Spirit supports, encourages, helps, and comforts.

Here we find the two ingredients necessary for numeric growth. The fear of the Lord and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. It is only when these two things are in place that the church grows.

But how do these things come about?

Fear of the Lord grows out of knowledge of Him. Where do we go to learn about the Lord? The Word of God, church, and our fellow believers.

The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of truth. He is said to guide us into all truth. The Word of God is His Sword. The Word pierces, divides, and exposes. The Holy Spirit does His Work through the Word of God! That is His tool, His instrument for bringing encouragement, help, support, and comfort!

Beloved, we neglect this book to our peril!

As we look around at the modern church we see that in many places she is struggling, sick, and dying! Why? Because she is not being fed with the food of God’s Word! More than that, she is no longer feeding herself.

Allow me to be lovingly blunt. If Sunday morning is the only time you are being fed by the Word of God, you are going to be spiritually stunted. If we here at Grace Church are spiritually weak, we can never expect to grow in numbers.

Spiritual strength and maturity are developed by daily engagement in the Word of God.

Growth for the early church happened as they feared the Lord and experienced the work of the Holy Spirit. Both of these things require the Word of God.

Saul’s proclamation of the gospel of Jesus Christ brought peace, edification, and multiplication.

Conclusion

Saul was used as a vessel of God’s glory. He bore the name of Christ before the Jews and he suffered for it.

God is in the business of transformed lives. Turn with me to (p. 1314).

(p. 1314)

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 NKJV

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

We are no longer what we once were! When we trust Jesus Christ as Savior we become new.

What evidence of transformation is there in my life and yours?

Everyone who had ever heard of Saul knew he was transformed because he proclaimed Jesus Christ boldly, passionately, and persuasively. Are we proclaiming Christ?

It is my desire that we be challenged to proclaim Christ.

It has a price. We may face persecution. But it will be worth it.

It will be worth it because proclaiming Christ has the profit of fellowship.

In the end, the product of proclaiming Christ is peace. Peace with God and the peace of God.

May our lives display evidence of transformation as we boldly proclaim Jesus Christ.

“Change My Heart O God”

Acts 9:20–31 NKJV

Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ. Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him. But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket. And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus. So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out. And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him. When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus. Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

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