While Paul, braving all the consequences of such a step, was praying earnestly to God in the temple, the Saviour appeared to him in vision, saying, “Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.” Paul even then hesitated to leave Jerusalem without convincing the obstinate Jews of the truth of his faith; he thought that, even if his life should be sacrificed for the truth, it would not more than settle the fearful account which he held against himself for the death of Stephen. He answered, “Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.” But the reply was more decided than before: “Depart; for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.” {LP 37.2}

Medens Paulus, på trods af konsekvenserne af et sådant skridt, bad alvorligt til Gud, i templet, viste Frelseren sig for ham i et syn og sagde: »Skynd dig, og gå hurtigt ud af Jerusalem, thi de tager ikke mod dit vidnesbyrd om mig.« Paulus skyndte sig endog for at forlade Jerusalem, uden at overbevise de stædige jøder om hans tros sandhed; han tænkte at den forfærdelige redegørelse han selv havde gjort om Stefanus’ død ikke ville fæstne sig mere end den var blevet. Han svarede: »Herre! de ved selv, at det var mig, som fængslede dem, der troede på dig, og at jeg lod dem piske rundt om i synagogerne. Og da dit vidne Stefanus' blod blev udgydt, stod jeg selv ved siden af og bifaldt det og passede på hams morderes klæder.« Men svaret var mere bestemt end før: »Gå! thi jeg vil sende dig til hedningefolk langt borte«.