Saul wasted no time in beginning his ministry. He went straight to the synagogues and preached about Jesus as the Son of God (v.20). Saul's conversion surprises not just the early Christians but also the Jews, who were amazed at how quickly their former champion against Jesus' followers had become one of them (Luke 9:21). Despite enduring several days of Saul's preaching; they decide to kill him. They even seek help from Gentile authorities. Despite their efforts, Saul manages to escape. There is a gap of three years between Saul's escape from Damascus and his visit to Jerusalem, despite the seemingly smooth transition between the two events.

Saul plans to meet the disciples in Jerusalem, but they are afraid of him. However, Barnabas brings him together with the apostles. Barnabas shares Paul's conversion story and his ministry in Damascus (9:27), which convinces the apostles. His preaching and debates with Hellenistic Jews in Jerusalem (vv. 28-29) dispel any remaining doubts. Paul faces another death threat due to preaching the gospel, but the disciples help him escape to Caesarea and then go to Tarsus. The church is experiencing growth and peace in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. According to Luke, walking in "fear" is associated with living in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. While the church's early years were often dangerous and tumultuous, believers had assurance and confidence through the power of the Spirit. Despite the challenges, the church continued growing and fulfilling Jesus' promise.

Luke returns to Peter and connects him to the church in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria. Peter visits different places, spending time with fellow believers. In Acts, we witness the apostles and their colleagues visiting and spending quality time with newly converted individuals. Peter traveled to Lydda, a village located nearly 25 miles (40 km) northwest of Jerusalem, where he discovered a man named Aeneas who had been confined to bed for eight years. Peter served as the means for the healing, but Jesus was the actual source, as Peter declared, "Jesus Christ heals you."

Some disciples from Joppa, located about 11 miles (18 km) away from Lydda, sought out Peter because a believer named Tabitha (known as "Dorcas" in Greek) had recently died (Acts 9:36-38). They believed Peter could bring her back to life and urgently requested him to come. Peter's actions are clear and decisive. He sends out the mourners, kneels to pray, and then speaks directly to Tabitha, commanding her to arise, and she does. This news quickly spreads, leading to many people believing in the Lord. Following the miraculous event, Peter stays at Simon the Tanner's house, where he will have an experience that will have lasting implications for the church's future.

Cornelius is a centurion who leads one hundred men in the Italian Cohort, which consists of six hundred men or possibly more. According to Luke, he is a man who "feared God" (v. 2). The individuals he sends to Peter describe him as "an honest and God-fearing man who the entire Jewish nation speaks highly of" (v. 22). Cornelius is not a Jew, despite his affinity for Judaism. He probably goes to a synagogue but wouldn't be permitted to enter the area beyond the court of Gentiles if he visited Jerusalem. Luke reports that everyone in Cornelius's household is also devout. In Jewish tradition, the "ninth hour" refers to around 3:00 p.m. and is a time for prayer. Cornelius becomes frightened when an angel appears to him in a vision. The fact that Cornelius's prayers and alms are a "memorial" points to the reality that God is interested in the heart of the one who brings the sacrifice. Cornelius's prayers and alms, however, do not save him. God directs him to Peter for that.