20
At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God.
21
All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?”
22
Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.
23
After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him,
24
but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him.
25
But his followers took him by night and lowered him in a basket through an opening in the wall.
26
When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
27
But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.