Once Saul’s heart was transformed and as he received the Baptism of The Holy Spirit, he did not delay in walking out his calling! He was more than willing to confront his former supporters.
Luke recorded by The Holy Spirit in Acts chapter 9:
20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God.
This is the only one of two times in the Book of Acts that the phrase “Son of GOD” is used to describe Jesus. Philip used this same phrase in Acts 8:37. Sonship relates to full and complete obedience to Our Heavenly Father.
21 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?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
We should not be surprised when an enemy of Christ is converted. Saul’s power increased greatly as he became more and more proficient in proving that Jesus was the anointed Messiah. Saul remained there for several days with the disciples, even though it agitated the Jews of Damascus.
Saul declared that Jesus was The Son of GOD! Thus, Truth was resisted by the Jews who knew their power would evaporate once the people heard such a Truth! Saul went from a hero of the Jews to an archenemy of the Jews in less than a week.
23 Now after many days were past, the Jews plotted to kill him.
24 But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.
25 Then the disciples took him by night and let him down through the wall in a large basket.
26 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.
27 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.
28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
29 And he spoke boldly in the Name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.
30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
31 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.
As we speak boldly and declare The Name of THE LORD, we will be confronted by the adversary and his minions. Jesus was confronted by the Jews in like manner during His earthly ministry.
Jesus spoke in John chapter 8:
37 “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My Word has no place in you.
38 I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.“
39 They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham.
40 But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the Truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this.
41 You do the deeds of your father.” Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father-God.”
42 Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would Love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.
43 Why do you not understand My speech? Because you are not able to listen to My Word.
44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the Truth, because there is no Truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.
45 But because I tell the Truth, you do not believe Me.
46 Which of you convicts Me of sin? And if I tell the Truth, why do you not believe Me?
47 He who is of God hears God’s Words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God.”
As we walk in Holiness, we will confront the father of lies head on just as Jesus did, just as Paul did. Let us walk in full assurance, immediately, and without hesitation.