As he labored in the synagogues, his faith grew stronger; his zeal in maintaining that Jesus was the Son of God increased, in the face of the fierce opposition of the Jews. He could not remain long in Damascus, for after the Jews had recovered from their surprise at his wonderful conversion and subsequent labors, they turned resolutely from the overwhelming evidence thus brought to bear in favor of the doctrine of Christ. Their astonishment at the conversion of Paul was changed into an intense hatred of him, like unto that which they had manifested against Jesus.{LP 33.2}

Da han arbejdede i synagogerne blev hans tro stærkere; hans iver for at fastholde at Jesus var Guds Søn blev større, for ansigtet af jødernes voldsomme modstand. Han kunne ikke længere blive i Damaskus, for efter at jøderne til deres overraskelse havde opdaget han forunderlige omvendelse, og efterfølgende arbejde, vendte de sig straks fra det overvældende bevis der var kommet, til fordel for Kristi lære. Deres forbavselse over Pauli omvendelse blev ændret til et intens had mod ham, ligesom det som de havde haft imod Jesus.