They give honor. The third encouraging thing to see here is that sometimes our worst enemies become our best friends. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. This Saul is the one who would be dramatically converted and become the best friend and advocate Christianity ever had. Adversaries can become advocates.
Critics can become comrades.
For most of us it's pretty easy to believe that an intimate disciple can become a deadly betrayer, like Judas. That's the way the world is. But we need to remember that a deadly persecutor can also become a great ally and partner in the Cause of Christ. That's the way God is. That's the kind of power he has.