Acts 9:20-30

20And immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “This Man is the Son of God [the promised Messiah]!”

21All those who heard him continued to be amazed and said, “Is this not the man who in Jerusalem attacked those who called on this name [of Jesus], and had come here [to Damascus] for the express purpose of bringing them bound [with chains] before the chief priests?”

22But Saul increased in strength more and more, and continued to perplex the Jews who lived in Damascus by examining [theological evidence] and proving [with Scripture] that this Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed).

23After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him,

24but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the city’s gates day and night so they could kill him;

25but his disciples took him at night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket.

26When he arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.

27However, Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles, and described to them how Saul had seen the Lord on the road [to Damascus], and how He had spoken to him, and how at Damascus Saul had preached openly and spoken confidently in the name of Jesus.

28So he was with them, moving around freely [as one among them] in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.

29He was talking and arguing with the Hellenists (Greek-speaking Jews); but they were attempting to kill him.

30When the brothers found out [about the plot], they brought him down to Caesarea [Maritima] and sent him off to Tarsus [his home town].