Acts 9:20
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
Acts 9:20
This verse marks a striking turn: Saul, who previously persecuted Christians, immediately begins preaching in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. Already, the gospel’s paradox—persecutor becoming preacher—emerges as a central motif in Acts. The synagogue setting is significant; Saul’s early mission aligns with his background as a learned Jew, now testifying to Jesus from within the very religious space that once opposed him. The proclamation that Jesus is the Son of God aligns with Jewish messianic expectations reframed through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.
Theologically, this asserts Jesus’s identity as the Son of God and as Messiah, recognized in a Jewish context. It also demonstrates the Spirit’s power to transform speech: from killer to preacher, from fear to bold proclamation. The immediacy of preaching shows that conversion generates a compelling, urgent witness. It foregrounds the central message of Acts: Jesus’s life and identity are the horizon of the early church’s proclamation.
This invites believers to live with urgent witness. If you’ve experienced transformation, consider how your story can become a bridge to others. Practice sharing the core message of Jesus’s lordship in everyday conversations—at work, school, or social settings—without coercion or defensiveness. Pray for opportunities to discuss who Jesus is and what it means to follow him, and be ready to explain your change with humility and clarity.
Cross-References: Luke 24:46-47; Romans 10:14-15; 1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Philippians 2:5-11