Acts 9:1-6 1But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, after going to the high priest, 2asked from him letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any who were from the Way, men or women, having bound them, might bring them to Jerusalem.
Luke’s account of the early church makes a significant shift in this chapter as it returns to the adversary named Saul, who was introduced in 7:58. Verses 1-2 provide background and the setting for the more detailed story that follows. The way Saul is introduced in verse 1 is not flattering but paints the picture of a mean-spirited zealot focused on eliminating the perceived threat of the growing heresy of Jesus followers. The story continues from the note in 8:3 that Saul was dragging believers out of their houses and putting them in prison. The words threats and murder show how intensely he was persecuting the church. His animosity against the church showed up in threatening Christians with imprisonment and even dragging them there. When it came time to put these believers are trial, he voted for the death penalty (26:10). No one seemed more focused on getting rid of this sect of heretics than Saul.
No reason is given for why Saul chose to go to Damascus to carry out his persecution. Damascus was quite a journey from Jerusalem, 135 miles and at least six days of walking. It was part of the ten cities called the Decapolis. There are several clues from the larger context that suggest why he chose that location. One clue is that he asked for letters of recommendation from the high priest, stating what his mission was for the leaders of the synagogues in Damascus. He would need the assistance and cooperation of the local leaders if he was going to be successful in eliminating the Christians. Since many believers had fled Jerusalem because of the persecution there, it is possible that some fled to Damascus. There may have been a growing movement of Jesus followers there. Since these early believers were mostly Jews, they would have been attracted to the synagogue where they could preach the gospel. Another possibility is that some hometown Jews had become believers and were causing problems in Damascus. Whatever the case, problems had developed there to the point that Saul needed to go there and fix it.
The early church is called the Way (hodou), a word that can also mean road or journey. Not much context is provided for what this word meant, but the word is repeated in 19:9, 23; 22:4; 24:14, 22. The early Christians saw themselves as pointing the way to salvation through Jesus Christ, who is the Way (John 14:6). In some ways, the opening of this chapter is almost unbelievable, that Saul would travel so far to bring Christians back all the way to Jerusalem.
These verses indicate the depth of hatred Saul had towards those he considered heretics and a threat to the Jewish faith. He had witnessed the successful disposal of Stephen and had gained recognition in Jerusalem for his zeal. He later wrote in Galatians 1:13, “For you have heard of my former life once in Judaism, that I extremely persecuted the church of God and was destroying it.” He did not discriminate but even wanted to bring women, who are not mentioned much in the Bible for being put in prison. He did not realize that God was already working in his heart, but he would not listen. He was blinded by his narrow, legalistic views of salvation.
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