(མཛད་པ། 9:26-31)

 

And when he had come to Jerusalem, he attempted to join the disciples. And they were all afraid of him, for they did not believe that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles and declared to them how on the road he had seen the Lord, who spoke to him, and how at Damascus he had preached boldly in the name of Jesus. So he went in and out among them at Jerusalem, preaching boldly in the name of the Lord. And he spoke and disputed against the Hellenists. But they were seeking to kill him. And when the brothers learned this, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied. (Acts 9:26-31)

 

Back in Jerusalem Saul’s bold preaching finally convinces the frightened believers, but only with the help of Barnabas (about whom see Chapter 4 verses 36, 37).

And again Saul’s success in debating angers the Jews; this time it is the cultured Hellenist Jews resident in the capital.

At once the disciples act to protect him; they send him off by sea from Caesarea to his home at Tarsus in Cilicia to the north of Israel.