27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.28 So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. 29 He talked and debated with the Grecian Jews, but they tried to kill him. 30 When the brothers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus. 31 Then the church throughout Judea, Galilee and Samaria enjoyed a time of peace. It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.


V27 Barnabas could some how find him - [why did he trust(?) Maybe he knew Annanias ore saw Saul in Damskus(?)] Then he brought him to the Apostles. Barnabas tells the Apostles about Saul seeing + hearing Jesus and how Saul preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus[nothing about Sauls conversion :-) was clear after all] > Who must the Apostles feel, seeing Saul - the chief-persecuter of Jerusalem converted, persecuted by him self now and not trusted by the persecuted. Saul was very lonely! This most have ben a very interesting meeting - Saul meets the Apostles. - What a atmosphere!??


V28 Saul stayed with them - with the Apostles!: & moves freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord! - This is unbelievable transition! Few days before he moved freely in Jerusalem to kill Jesus-people. Now he moves freely to preach Jesus. How must the people looked at him: Is he crazy? He lost his mind! He is not trustworthy![??] - how was that for Paul? But Saul seems to not care at all what other people think - he is just preaching!


V29 He talked and debated with Grecian Jews, but they again became very willing to kill Saul: AGAIN - just a few days in the new town. and already people are planing the killing of Saul
V30 The brothers heard about this they helped him to escape to his hometown Tarsus. Like in Damaskus, Sauls has to leave the town. Brothers help him here too - Saul could win some trust and hearts in Jerusalem. Saul was very active!


V31 Then a time of peace came for all the churches: Saul stopped being the main persecutor. There was no one like this in Jerusalem, who would drive the persecution in the same way. So the persecution stopped for a wile and the churches had peace through out the land.... Leadership was always important.
It was strengthened; and encouraged by the Holy Spirit, it grew in numbers, living in the fear of the Lord.
A church was strengthened & encouraged BY THE HOLY SPIRIT: NOT by the church leadership ore the unity plan but by the HOLY SPIRIT!!!! I DO NOT UNDERSTAND THIS!
It grew in numbers - Numbers were important! They counted! Do i know how many disciples we have? How many new disciples, how many just went?
Living in the fear of the Lord - this was the church in the first century, scattered through out the hole Land. Is that my church?
IT HAS TO BECOME AT LEAST LIKE THIS - HOW?