What authority did Saul have from the chief priests in Damascus?
Saul carried authority from the chief priests in Damascus to bind all who called on the name of Jesus, meaning those who confessed Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. That commission enabled him to arrest and persecute the believing Jews in Damascus, continuing the same evil he had done to the saints in Jerusalem.
In Acts chapter 9, Ananias, a believing Jew in Damascus, is warned supernaturally by the Lord that Saul of Tarsus is in town and will come to his house. Ananias answers that he has heard by many how much evil Saul did to the saints at Jerusalem through persecuting them. He then says that in Damascus Saul has authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name, that is, on Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. Les explains that Ananias is expressing concern, but the Lord tells him, Go thy way, for Saul is a chosen vessel unto Him to bear His name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel. God also says He will show Saul how great things he must suffer for His name's sake.
And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
More Questions
What authority did Saul have according to Ananias?
According to Ananias, Saul had authority to bind (arrest) all who call on the name of Jesus.
What authority did Ananias say Saul had?
Ananias tells the Lord that Saul has authority to bind all who call on Jesus' name.
Why was Ananias afraid to go to Saul?
Ananias dreaded going to Saul because Saul had authority from the chief priests to arrest Christians, and Ananias imagined being thrown into a dungeon.