Paul’s First Trip to Paul’s First Trip to Jerusalem –Jerusalem –

Syria/Cilicia EvangelizationSyria/Cilicia Evangelization

NIV Galatians 1:18 Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I saw none of the other apostles-- only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Later I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God because of me.

Map of Judea, Cilicia, and Syria

I. Trip to Jerusalem (A.D. 35 – 36)

A. After 3 years (Gal. 1:18)

B. Disciples were afraid of Paul

1. Barnabas brought him to the apostles

a. Paul had seen the Lord

b. Lord had spoken to Paul

c. In Damascus he preached fearlessly in the name of the Lord

C. Paul moved about freely in Jerusalem

1. spoke boldly in the name of the Lord

2. talked and debated with Hellenist Jews

3. the Jews tried to kill him

D. Paul acquaints himself

1. with Peter concerning eye- and ear-witness accounts of the early life and

ministry of Jesus

2. took place 3 years after his conversion – already involved in Gentile evangelism

3. the visit lasted 2 weeks

a. Not enough time to become a disciple of Peter

4. saw James, the Lord’s brother

5. no doubt given the “Jerusalem tradition” by Peter and James – 1 Cor. 15: 3-5

“that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter, and then to the Twelve.”

II. Syria/Cilicia Evangelization (A.D. 36 – 45)

A. Lasted about 9 to 10 years

B. Paul was preaching – Gal. 1: 22-23

1. “preaching the faith he once tried to destroy”

C. Made tents – Acts 18: 3

D. Paul suffered

1. family probably disinherited him for following Jesus – (Phil. 3: 8)

2. probably endured some of his sufferings –

2 Cor. 11: 23-27

a. 5 times 39 lashes

b. 3 times beaten with rods

E. Mysterious vision (occurred now?) 2 Cor. 12: 2-9

1. Paul was caught up in Paradise (heaven)

2. heard things too sacred to put in words

a. things a man is not permitted to tell

3. God blessed him by giving him a “thorn in the flesh”

a. Chronic ophthalmia – eye inflammation

4. Paul boasted in his weaknesses

a. Labored under difficult physical circumstances