Saul's conversion had a profound impact, bringing rest to the church, enabling growth, and launching the Gentile mission.
Saul, the chief persecutor, became a believer, which led to a period of rest for the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, allowing them to be strengthened and to multiply. His conversion also marked a pivotal shift as God revealed His plan to reach Gentiles, culminating in Saul's ministry to the Gentiles and the establishment of Gentile Christianity at Antioch, where believers were first called Christians.
Acts 9:31 — This verse directly states the result of Saul's conversion: the churches had rest and were edified.
The Bible records that after Saul's conversion, the churches experienced peace: "Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied" (Acts 9:31). This indicates a direct consequence of Saul's change from persecutor to believer. Furthermore, the book of Acts shows that Saul's persecution had previously scattered believers, leading to the gospel reaching new areas. For instance, Jewish believers who were chased out of Jerusalem by Saul's persecution went as far as Antioch, where Gentiles began to show interest (Acts 11). This sets the stage for the subsequent Gentile mission.
Les Feldick explains that Saul of Tarsus was a religious fanatic who, before his conversion, relentlessly persecuted Jewish believers in Jesus, even traveling to Damascus to arrest them. His conversion on the road to Damascus was a turning point not only for him but for the early church. Les emphasizes that Saul's conversion removed the chief persecutor, allowing the churches to have rest and to grow. Les also highlights that Saul's conversion marked the beginning of God's shift toward the Gentiles. He was saved on Gentile ground and was immediately told he would be sent to the Gentiles. This was the first indication in Acts that God was bringing Gentiles into the picture. Later, Barnabas sought Saul in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch, where Gentile Christianity flourished, and believers were first called Christians.
Before his conversion, Saul made havoc of the church, entering into every house and hailing men and women, committing them to prison (Acts 8:3). He was breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord and sought letters to Damascus to arrest believing Jews (Acts 9:1-2). His persecution caused believers to flee Jerusalem, which inadvertently spread the gospel to regions like Antioch.
Saul was saved on Gentile ground, just outside Damascus, and was immediately informed that he would be sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). This was the first indication in Acts of God's plan to bring Gentiles into the picture. Later, when the church in Jerusalem heard that Gentiles were being reached at Antioch, they sent Barnabas, who sought out Saul in Tarsus and brought him to Antioch. There, they taught many people, and the disciples were first called Christians.
Les Feldick notes that it was at Antioch, among primarily Gentile believers, that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26). He implies that this was significant because Gentile Christianity was distinct from the Jewish believers in Jerusalem who still adhered to temple worship and the Law.
Saul's Return to Tarsus
After his conversion and a brief stay in Jerusalem, Saul was sent to Tarsus, his hometown, for safety, which set the stage for his later ministry to Gentiles.
Saul's Persecuting Role
Les describes Saul as a religious fanatic trying to stamp out anything related to Jesus, showing the intensity of his opposition before conversion.
Christians First at Antioch
Les teaches that Barnabas brought Saul to Antioch, where they taught for a year, and the disciples, primarily Gentiles, were first called Christians.
Gentile Interest Begins at Antioch
Les explains that Jewish believers scattered by Saul's persecution reached Antioch, where God began generating interest among Gentiles for the first time.
Saul's Rampage Against Believing Jews
Les describes Saul's persecution of believing Jews, which he did in the name of religion, thinking he was serving God.
Saul Saved on Gentile Ground
Les highlights that Saul was saved on Gentile ground, not Jewish ground, and immediately informed he would be sent to the Gentiles—a first indication of the Gentile mission.
Saul's Persecution of Believing Jews
Les reiterates Saul's ruthless persecution of believing Jews, even seeking to bring them bound from Damascus to Jerusalem.
Saul's Havoc on the Church
Les describes Saul's havoc on the church, entering houses and imprisoning men and women, showing the severity of the persecution before his conversion.
Acts 8:3: As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
Shows Saul's intense persecution of the early church before his conversion.
Acts 9:1-2: And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 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.
Demonstrates Saul's determination to eradicate the believers, leading to his conversion encounter.
Acts 9:31: Then had the churches rest throughout all Judaea and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were multiplied.
Directly shows the positive impact of Saul's conversion on the churches.
Acts 11:26: And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.
Highlights Saul's ministry at Antioch and the first use of the term 'Christians'.
Yes, Saul's conversion led to a period of rest for the churches in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, as recorded in Acts 9:31. Since Saul was the chief persecutor, his change ended the immediate threat he posed.
Saul was sent to Tarsus by the brethren in Jerusalem to escape an assassination plot by the Grecian Jews (Acts 9:29-30). Les Feldick notes this was his hometown, and later Barnabas would seek him out there for the ministry at Antioch.
Antioch was where Gentile Christianity began to flourish. Jewish believers scattered by Saul's persecution reached Antioch, and Gentiles became interested in the gospel. Barnabas brought Saul there, and they taught for a year; the disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul's Gospel to Gentiles Is Different From Peter's