Chapter 15—The Jews Decided to Kill Paul
The chief priests and rulers were moved with hatred against Paul,
as they witnessed the effect of the relation of his experience. They saw
that he boldly preached Jesus, and wrought miracles in his name, and
that multitudes listened to him, and turned from their traditions, and
looked upon them as being the murderers of the Son of God. Their
anger was kindled, and they assembled to consult as to what was best
to be done to put down the excitement. They agreed that the only
safe course for them was to put Paul to death. But God knew of their
intention, and angels were commissioned to guard him, that he might
live to fulfill his mission, and to suffer for the name of Jesus.
Paul was informed that the Jews were seeking his life. Satan led
the unbelieving Jews to watch the gates of Damascus day and night,
that as Paul should pass out of the gates; they might immediately kill
him. But the disciples in the night let him down by the wall in a
basket. Here the Jews were made ashamed of their failure, and Satan’s
object was defeated. And Paul went to Jerusalem to join himself to the
disciples; but they were all afraid of him. They could not believe that
he was a disciple. His life had been hunted by the Jews in Damascus,
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and his own brethren would not receive him; but Barnabas took him,
and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had
seen the Lord in the way, and that he had preached boldly at Damascus
in the name of Jesus.
But Satan was stirring up the Jews to destroy Paul, and Jesus bade
him leave Jerusalem. And as he went into other cites preaching Jesus,
and working miracles, many were converted, and as one man was
healed who had always been lame, the people who worshiped idols
were about to sacrifice to the disciples. Paul was grieved, and told
them that they were only men, and that they must worship God who
made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein. Paul
exalted God before them; but he could scarcely restrain the people.
The first knowledge of faith in the true God, and the worship and
honor due to him, were being formed in their minds; and as they were
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