While Paul was praying in the Temple he had a vision in which the Lord said to him, "Hurry and leave Jerusalem quickly, because the people here will not accept your witness about Me (Acts 22:17, 18). SRme 1.1277
The Lord commanded Paul to leave the city. But Paul hesitated to leave Jerusalem without first trying to get the Jews to accept the truth. Paul was willing to be killed, because he still felt guilty over his part in the death of Stephen. SRme 1.1278
Paul answered, "'Lord, . . . they know very well that I went to the synagogues and arrested and beat those who believe in You. And when Your witness Stephen was put to death, I myself was there, approving of his murder and taking care of the cloaks of his murderers.' SRme 1.1279
"'Go,' the Lord said to me, 'for I will send you far away to the Gentiles'" (Acts 22:19-21). SRme 1.1280
When the believers learned of Paul's vision and of God's care over him, they were more interested in Paul's safety. The believers realized that Paul was a man chosen of the Lord to carry the truth to the Gentiles. The believers helped Paul escape before the Jews could kill him. SRme 1.1281
When Paul left Jerusalem the Jews stopped persecuting the believers for a while. The church had a period of rest Many believers were added to the church. SRme 1.1282