What did Saul's letters authorize him to do to followers of Christ in Damascus?
Saul's letters authorized him to go to the synagogues in Damascus and, finding any followers of Christ, men or women, bring them bound back to Jerusalem. He aimed specifically at Jews who had embraced Jesus as Messiah, not the general Syrian population, and acted without mercy because he saw them as a threat to his religion.
Les teaches that Saul went to the high priest and desired letters to the synagogues in Damascus. He was not concerned with the Syrian population; he targeted Jews who had embraced faith in the Messiah. The letters authorized him, if he found any of "this way" following Christ as Messiah, whether men or women, to bring them bound under Jerusalem. Les points out that Saul was vicious and had no mercy, not caring whether they were young or old. If they had embraced Jesus of Nazareth as Messiah, Saul considered them not worth living and merely a threat to his religion. Later, in Galatians, he confesses that beyond measure he persecuted, literally chased them to the ends of his authority, and wasted it.
And desired of him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto Jerusalem.
More Questions
What did Saul's letters from the high priest authorize him to do to believers in Damascus?
Saul's letters authorized him to arrest any of 'this way' in the Damascus synagogues who were following Christ as Messiah — whether men or women — and bring them bound back to Jerusalem.
Why did Saul ask the high priest for letters to Damascus?
Saul requested letters from the high priest so that he could go to Damascus, arrest Jewish believers in Jesus, and bring them back to Jerusalem.