“Go, for this man is my chosen instrument to bring my name before the Gentiles.” This was God’s response to Ananias when the latter protested to being sent to bring healing to Saul. And after his healing, Paul embarks on his new mission with the same enthusiasm with which he had persecuted Christians. It doesn’t take time before Paul emerges (at least as narrated in Acts of the Apostles) as the premier evangelizer, overtaking Peter and the other apostles. In today’s First Reading, Paul gives his first (apparently) public speech as a follower of Jesus Christ. It is a speech that is a summary of our salvation history. From David’s descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. Given Paul’s pharisaic training and background, it comes less as a surprise his understanding of the person of Jesus and his mission. He perfectly situates Jesus within God’s salvific plan. He rightly sees Jesus’ mission not as an isolated one but rather as a continuation of God’s salvific acts on behalf of Israel (and by extension, humanity). According to Paul, in Jesus Christ is brought to fulfillment the liberative acts of God that began in Egypt and continued throughout Israel’s history. Jesus’ mission brings together the missions of the prophets (John the Baptist), judges (Samuel), and kings (Saul and David).