Saul in Tarsus; Jerusalem at Peace

God's Urgent Call
Calling of Prophets

Called to Preach

Acts 9:26-31 The Message

26-27 Back in Jerusalem he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him. They didn’t trust him one bit. Then Barnabas took him under his wing. He introduced him to the apostles and stood up for him, told them how Saul had seen and spoken to the Master on the Damascus Road and how in Damascus itself he had laid his life on the line with his bold preaching in Jesus’ name.
28-30 After that he was accepted as one of them, going in and out of Jerusalem with no questions asked, uninhibited as he preached in the Master’s name. But then he ran afoul of a group called Hellenists—he had been engaged in a running argument with them—who plotted his murder. When his friends learned of the plot, they got him out of town, took him to Caesarea, and then shipped him off to Tarsus.
31 Things calmed down after that and the church had smooth sailing for a while. All over the country—Judea, Samaria, Galilee—the church grew. They were permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God. The Holy Spirit was with them, strengthening them. They prospered wonderfully.

For Reflection

It is, I suppose, natural for one to hold in suspicion a person who has the kind of reputation that Saul had. Yet, some trusted him and protected him. But after Saul had been removed from the fray, (although not all minds were in sync), things seemed to settle down. After all, one cannot keep up the pace of threat without exhausting the cause.

One might say the developing Church was "at rest."  Both the Romans and the Jews had more to deal with than the small community of Christians.  Rest did not mean coast along.  The peaceful state gave an opportunity for unfettered growth.  The founding Christians practiced the Grace and preached the Gospel and in response, the number of converts multiplied.

Pray

Pray so that you can find quiet times in the pace of your life. Pray that in times of rest you remain alerted and active in the pursuit of a God centered life.  Pray, so that when little disturbs your life, worldliness will not seduce you.  Pray that when you rest you will continue to grow into grace.