18 - Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days.
19 - But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother.
20 - I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!
21 - Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia
22-23 - But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. They were only hearing, "The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy."
24 - So they glorified God because of me.
vs. 18 - “after three years” - The book of Acts is episodic rather than chronological, and Luke says nothing about Paul being in Arabia. Perhaps the sequence is something like this:
- Soon after his road to Damascus event, Paul was taken to a remote spot to be taught by the Lord. I don't know how long he was in Arabia. Since he was instructed by Jesus, it might have been only overnight!
- He returns to Damascus to preach.
- The presence of the church began to be felt in Damascus as his ministry produced spiritual fruit, taking place over three years.
- The Jewish leaders were agitated and Paul was forced to escape.
- He went with other believers to Jerusalem.
- He got in trouble again.
- He escaped to Tarsus where later Barnabas found and took him to Antioch.
vs. 19 - “none of the other apostles” - The Paul the church in Jerusalem knew was what he had done before he left for Damascus. Barnabas introduced Paul to the brethren in Jerusalem, vouching for Paul’s conversion. Paul was on fire for the Lord and ready to preach!
Only James and Peter would spend time with him. (See: Acts 9:26-29) This is all we know about Paul’s first return to Jerusalem. He left Jerusalem a persecutor of the faith. Returned a preacher of the same. Left again, being persecuted!
It had to be difficult for the believers there to accept him with open arms - how could they be sure he wasn't setting them up for arrest and execution? The Jews were frustrated and infuriated to lose such a weapon to be used against the Christians.
vs. 20 - “I am not lying” - The church in Galatia might find the story of Paul being anti-Christian hard to believe. They knew him as a hard-working evangelist. He is relating his story, “I went to Jerusalem, and was preaching the gospel. You know the gospel message I preach! I was there, and they wouldn't talk with me, or spend time with me! Can you believe it?”
vs. 21 - “went to … Syria and Cilicia” - Paul boldly preached in Jerusalem, sharing the gospel, discussing the meaning of the death and resurrection of Jesus with the Jews. They became as incensed as the Jews in Damascus at his message of Jesus as the Messiah. They plotted to kill him (that is upset!). Some of the Christians in Jerusalem believed his conversion was real, so they helped him escape. Sending him to Tarsus through Caesarea (See note 1 below). They sent him to the port of Caesarea, then by boat to Tarsus - to keep him out of trouble in Judah. (See Acts 9:28-30) An interesting comment follows Paul escaping - the church had peace in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria so the church grew and was strengthened. Acts 9:31
vs. 22-23 - “personally unknown to the churches” - His reputation proceeded him, but the church of the believers didn't know him by sight. They might freak out when they found out who this fantastic evangelist really was.
vs. 24 - “they glorified God” - If they stopped to listen to Paul, and accepted Christ as Lord and Savior, they would praise the Lord. Paul could be very happy that they listened to his message and were not dissuaded by his former life. Giving thanks to God that He provided such a powerful preacher and evangelist - what a blessing for Paul. Paul was not looking for praise from people. He knew, however, people accepting Christ was exactly why God kept him on earth.
***NOTE 1: Caesarea is about 50 miles NW of Jerusalem, on the coast. Tarsus is about 300-350 miles from Jerusalem in the NE corner of the Mediterranean Sea area, also known as Celicia (now, Southwest Turkey). END OF CHAPTER.
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