What had the churches in Judea heard about Paul?

The churches in Judea had heard only that the one who formerly persecuted them, trying to stamp out Jewish believers in the Messiah, was now preaching the faith concerning Jesus the Lord Christ, which he once destroyed. That was the sole report they received.

Les explains that the churches in Judea had heard only that the one who formerly persecuted them and tried to stamp out Jewish believers of the Messiah was now preaching the faith concerning Jesus the Lord Christ, which he once destroyed. Les points out that Paul had no ministry to the Jews in Judea, just as the twelve had no ministry to the Gentiles; it was a complete fork in the road. After two weeks with Peter, Paul went from Jerusalem directly to his home area of Cilicia, into total Gentile territory. The Holy Spirit inspired this statement to show that Paul was separated from those Jewish congregations in Palestine and sent in the opposite direction from Peter and the apostles.

Galatians 1:23

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed.

What had the Judean believers heard about Paul before he returned?

The Judean believers had heard only that the one who formerly persecuted them and tried to stamp out Jewish believers of the Messiah was now preaching the faith concerning Jesus the Lord Christ, which once he destroyed. They knew of his past opposition and his present preaching.