(9:26–31) After being forced to flee Damascus (9:23–25), Saul returns to Jerusalem, where he is still feared. Barnabas advocates for Saul before the apostles, sharing with them Saul’s Damascus road encounter with the risen Jesus and his subsequent preaching about Jesus in Damascus (9:27–28). Thus, Saul is permitted in preach Jesus in Jerusalem. But when the Hellenists attempt to kill him, he is forced to flee (9:29–30). The church in and near Judea experiences peace and growth (9:31).