Acts 9:22 – “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.”

Extended Explanation

This verse describes the rapid growth of Saul’s faith and effectiveness in preaching after his conversion. Just days earlier, he had been an enemy of the church, sent to Damascus to arrest Christians (Acts 9:1-2). But after encountering Jesus, being healed, and receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17-18), Saul immediately began preaching that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 9:20).

Now, in verse 22, we see that Saul “grew more and more powerful.” This doesn’t mean physical power but rather spiritual strength and confidence in proclaiming the truth. As he continued to preach, his understanding deepened, and his arguments became even more convincing.

The verse also says he “baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” This means that he was using Scripture and reasoning to show that Jesus fulfilled the prophecies of the Old Testament. The very people who had expected him to arrest Christians were now listening to him defend the faith instead.

Saul’s transformation was undeniable. Not only had his heart changed, but his ability to communicate the gospel had become more powerful.

Historical Context

At this time, Saul was still in Damascus, preaching in the Jewish synagogues (Acts 9:20). The Jews there would have been familiar with the Scriptures, but they did not believe Jesus was the Messiah. For them, the idea that the promised Savior would be a crucified man was unacceptable.

However, Saul, who had been trained in Jewish law under the famous teacher Gamaliel (Acts 22:3), was now using his knowledge to prove that Jesus truly was the fulfillment of the Old Testament prophecies. This would have shocked the Jewish community, especially since Saul had previously been one of the strongest opponents of Christianity.

The word “baffled” in this verse shows that the Jewish listeners were confused and unable to refute Saul’s arguments. His deep understanding of the Scriptures made his case extremely compelling.

Theological Implications

1. Spiritual growth comes from both learning and experience. Saul grew stronger in faith as he spent time studying and preaching. Likewise, our faith deepens as we apply what we learn from God’s Word.
2. God equips those He calls. Saul had been chosen to be a messenger of the gospel (Acts 9:15), and God gave him the wisdom and power to do it effectively.
3. The gospel is logical and defensible. Saul was “proving” that Jesus was the Messiah. This shows that faith is not just an emotional experience—it is rooted in truth that can be explained and defended.
4. Transformation is the greatest testimony. The Jews in Damascus could not deny that Saul had changed. His passion and knowledge were now being used for Christ instead of against Him.

Literary Analysis

This verse follows a pattern of increasing intensity:

• “Yet Saul grew more and more powerful.” – This suggests a process. He wasn’t instantly perfect, but he became stronger in his faith and preaching.
• “And baffled the Jews living in Damascus.” – The reaction of the listeners shows how unexpected and convincing his message was.
• “By proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” – The word “proving” is key. Saul wasn’t just making claims—he was using logic, Scripture, and evidence to make his case.

The contrast between Saul’s past and present is also striking. He went from persecuting Christians to proving Christianity. This contrast makes his transformation even more powerful.

Biblical Cross-References

• Luke 24:27 – Jesus explained to His disciples how the Old Testament pointed to Him. This is the same approach Saul was using.
• 1 Peter 3:15 – “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” Saul demonstrated this by defending the faith boldly.
• Acts 17:2-3 – Paul later used the same method in Thessalonica, reasoning from the Scriptures and proving that Jesus was the Messiah.
• 2 Timothy 2:15 – “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” Saul was living out this command.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

This verse encourages believers to grow stronger in their faith by studying Scripture and sharing the gospel. Saul didn’t stop at believing in Jesus—he actively proved the truth to others.

It also reminds us that we don’t have to be experts overnight. Saul “grew more and more powerful,” meaning his knowledge and ability developed over time. We should always be learning and growing in our faith.

Additionally, this verse shows that the gospel stands up to scrutiny. Saul didn’t just speak emotionally—he used reason and Scripture to show that Jesus is the Messiah. This challenges us to know why we believe what we believe and to be ready to explain it to others.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is shown in how He takes broken people and makes them strong in Him. Saul was once an enemy of Jesus, but now he was boldly proclaiming His name. This transformation shows that God’s grace is greater than any past mistakes.

God also demonstrates His love by giving His followers wisdom and strength. He didn’t just call Saul—He equipped him. In the same way, God provides us with what we need to fulfill His purposes.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

Saul’s message was centered on proving that Jesus is the Messiah. This is the key truth of Christianity. If Jesus is truly the promised Savior, then everything He said and did has eternal significance.

This also connects to Jesus’ own ministry. Just as Jesus used the Scriptures to explain His identity (Luke 24:27), Saul was now doing the same thing. He was following in the footsteps of his Lord.

Finally, this verse foreshadows Saul’s (Paul’s) future mission. He would go on to preach the gospel throughout the Roman world, always emphasizing that Jesus was the fulfillment of God’s promises (Romans 1:1-4).

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. What does it mean that Saul “grew more and more powerful” in his faith?
2. How can we become better at defending our faith like Saul did?
3. Why do you think the Jews in Damascus were so baffled by Saul’s preaching?
4. Have you ever experienced a time when someone’s transformation made a big impact on others? How does Saul’s story encourage you?
5. What are some ways you can actively share and defend your faith in everyday life?