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In Galatians 1:17, Paul writes that he does not counsel with anyone who was an apostle. The
disciples in Damascus lay a foundation in him of the simple truths of the Word of God and the
new birth. Although Saul is very knowledgeable about the Old Testament, he is a baby and the
kingdom of God.

Many of the gaps in Saul’s timeline from this period can be filled in by also looking at Galatians

1. After Saul is instructed by Ananias and many of the disciples, he leaves Damascus and travels
to Arabia in the desert (Galatians 1:17). He then returns to Damascus (Galatians 1:17; Acts
9:23-25) were he receives death threats from the Jews who lived there. Saul then travels to
Jerusalem after escaping from Damascus by a rope over the wall (Galatians 1:18; Acts 9:26-29).
Then, from Jerusalem, he travels to Tarsus (9:30-31) and there spends six to nine years.

SAUL PREACHES (20-22)

Saul immediately begins preaching Jesus is the Son of God in the synagogues of Damascus. Saul
continues to increase in strength, confounding the Jews in Damascus and proving Jesus is the
Christ.

Act 9:20 And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.

And straightway (immediately) he preached Christ (Greek: Jesus) in the synagogues, that he is
the Son of God.

As a new convert, Saul is eager to preach. He proclaims Jesus in the only place he knows to

preach, the synagogue. Since his audience knows him well, they are shocked and begin to
spread the news that Saul is now a Christian and preaching the gospel he once refuted.

9:20 preached, kerusso (kay-roos-oh); To herald, tell abroad, publish, propagate,
publicly proclaim, exhort, callout with a clear voice, communicate, preach. The herald is
to give a public announcement of an official message and to issue whatever demands
the message entails. The Christian herald is to proclaim the message of salvation
through Jesus Christ and issue a summons to repent and receive forgiveness of sins.

Act 9:21 But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them
which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring
them bound unto the chief priests?

These Jewish religious leaders in Damascus are shocked to hear of Paul’s change from Judaism
to Christianity on his short journey from Jerusalem to Damascus. They had expected him to
speak of arrests and prison terms for Christians, but instead they hear his testimony.

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