It is obvious as we have been reading this chapter that the most important thing in Paul’s mind is actually not the amazing doctrinal truths that he is going to write about. No. He just wants to clear his name. Rival preachers have been saying that Paul got his gospel from the Jerusalem church and on his journey into Galatia he had purposely dropped the importance of circumcision from this gospel he had been taught. Paul is adamant. He knows his own story. He got the gospel from the risen Messiah, Jesus Christ, it was this visitation that verified his apostleship. He then went immediately into Arabia. The date was approximately AD33.
“I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother. I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie.”
Galatians 1:17-20
Why in approximately AD 36 did Paul go to Jerusalem?
Just over 2 weeks actually, 15 days, getting to know, becoming acquainted with Peter (Cephas). That’s why he was there. He wasn’t sent for. He went on his own violation. Paul was hearing Peter’s story and all that he had seen and heard from Jesus. He also heard from James. Paul was sharing his own story too. This was not a new Christian-Paul. He was 3 years a follower of Jesus. He was not learning the gospel. He already had it.
Paul shows us that we cannot do this Christian life on our own: we cannot stay in Arabia and neither can we start our own itinerary ministry in Damascus. We need to do this Christian life in community. We need people to pray with and to support us. We need fellowship. We need to be investors into other people and we need investing in.
About 6 months ago a young Pastor I didn’t know very well asked to come and spend the day with me. At first I didn’t know what on earth we were going to be doing and could we even talk all day? But I wanted to give this young man who was travelling a long way as much time as possible. So I scheduled a day for him. It was an incredible day of drinking copious amounts of coffee, eating and sharing our lives. It ended with me being very energised and inspired by this young man’s passion for Jesus and the mission. It was a God appointment for me.
There are times we don’t need conferences and seminars etc. we just need coffee with people and good inspiring conversations about Jesus.
Paul takes a solemn oath because he is desperate for them to believe him. He had the gospel before he met anyone. But his story of those 2 weeks with Peter and James tells us so much more. If the Apostle Paul needed people then so do we.
Missions Paul 