Galatians 1:18-24 (WEL) Then after three years, I went to Jerusalem to visit Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 I did not see any of the other apostles, except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 Now, pay attention, the things that I write to you are true. I do not lie. God is my witness. 21 Later, I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And was unknown personally by the congregations in Christ in Judea. 23 They only had heard that he who used to persecute us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy. 24 So they kept on praising God because of what happened to me.
V18 Then after three years, I went to Jerusalem to visit Peter and stayed with him for fifteen days.
After spending 3 years in Arabia and Damascus, Paul went to visit Peter. This was potentially dangerous, but God protected Paul. What they discussed is unknown, but they definitely recognized that each was truly an Apostle of Jesus Christ.
V19 I did not see any of the other apostles, except James, the Lord’s brother.
He also visited, perhaps briefly, James, the Lord’s brother. James was not a chosen and appointed Apostle of Jesus Christ, but the church recognized him as having true doctrine and character. This is what is termed an Apostle of the church. This type of apostle does not exist today because the original 12 plus Paul are not alive on Earth anymore. There is no one who can authenticate them as true.
V20 Now, pay attention, the things that I write to you are true. I do not lie. God is my witness.
Paul states that he writes the truth. His reason is 1) Jesus called and commissioned him to be an Apostle (Acts 22:14), 2) taught him (revelation—Ephesians 3:3 and 2 Corinthians 12:2), 3) had the actions and authority of an Apostle (miracles—Acts 14:9), and 4) was approved and recognized by the other Apostles (Galatians 2:7).
Acts 22:14 (WEL) “He said, ‘The God of our fathers has chosen you, so that you should know His will, to see the Just One, and that you should hear the voice of His mouth.” This verse is testimony from Ananias that Paul saw the risen Lord Jesus, was commissioned as an Apostle, knew God’s will, and heard His voice.
V21 Later, I came to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Wuest’s Word Studies: “This verse records a period of preaching, as indicated by verse 23. The word region is from klimata. It denotes the fingers of coastland sloping down from the mountains to the sea in northwestern Syria and eastern Cilicia. The name Syria is placed first because Paul’s ministry at Antioch preceded that at Tarsus, and because Cilicia was subordinate to Syria in the Roman empire, being only a district of the great province of Syria. Here we have about ten years of Paul’s life passed over in silence, between his flight from Jerusalem to Tarsus and his return to the former city for the Apostolic Council. These years were spent around Tarsus and Antioch, in Cyprus and Asia Minor.”
V22 And was unknown personally by the congregations in Christ in Judea.
Warren W. Wiersbe comments: “Historians have concluded that he remained there perhaps seven years, until Barnabas recruited him for the work in Antioch (Acts 11:19-26). A few believers in Jerusalem knew Paul, but the believers in the churches of Judea did not know him, though they heard that he was now preaching the very faith he had once tried to destroy.”
V23 They only had heard that he who used to persecute us now preaches the faith that he once tried to destroy.
The believers did not recognize him by face, but they knew the name and actions of Paul before and after his conversion. Such a startling testimony was widely spread. What was their reaction to this? They praised God (verse 24).
Paul went from a life of darkness and self to a life of light and Jesus.
V24 So they kept on praising God because of what happened to me.
This was not a one-time thanksgiving but frequent. They, mainly Jewish believers, probably knew friends and family that had been abused, mistreated, and even condemned to death because of Paul before conversion.
A principle taught is God is not necessarily interested in our pre-conversion life as He is in our post-conversion life. He can use anyone who is willing, obedient, and available.
Another principle is to be thankful for all who are saved by their faith in Jesus Christ alone.
We learn:
- Our testimony can and does make a difference.
- God’s salvation changes lives.
- Paul is a true, authenticated Apostle of Jesus Christ.
Questions:
- What is your testimony? Write it out if you must, but it is important when someone asks, “You’ve changed; what happened?”
- Are you willing to serve the Lord Jesus?