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The Jews Decide to Kill Paul
As the chief priests and rulers witnessed the effect of the relation
of Paul’s experience, they were moved with hatred against him. They
saw that he boldly preached Jesus and wrought miracles in His name,
that multitudes listened to him and turned from their traditions and
looked upon the Jewish leaders as 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 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.
Led by Satan, the unbelieving Jews watched the gates of Dam-
ascus day and night, that as Paul should pass out, they might im-
mediately kill him. But Paul had been informed that the Jews were
seeking his life, and the disciples let him down over the wall in a
basket by night. At this failure to carry out their purposes, the Jews
were ashamed and indignant, and Satan’s object was defeated.
After this, 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, 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
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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. In company with Barnabas, he went into
other cities, preaching Jesus and working miracles, and many were
converted. 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 he and his fellow laborer were
only men and that the God who made heaven and earth, the sea,
and all things that are therein, must alone be worshiped. Thus Paul
exalted God before the people; but he could scarcely restrain them.
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