Basic HTML Version
The Amish Voice 2
conversion, he followed God first in his life, not men.
OUTLINE:
1. First, he went to Arabia: he got alone with God (v.17).
2. Second, he returned to Damascus: he corrected the wrong he had
previously done (v.17).
3. Third, he went to Jerusalem: he faced his past (vv.18-20).
4. Fourth, he went to Syria and Cilicia, that is Tarsus: he faced his
hometown (vv.21-22).
5. The result of a God-centered life (vv.23-24).
A CLOSER LOOK:
(1:17-24)
Paul’s Ministry—Time-Table
: Paul said “immediately...I
went into Arabia.” The timetable of his ministry would seem to be as
follows.
1. His conversion (Ga.1:15-16; Ac.9:1f).
2. His “immediate” preaching and ministry in Damascus (Ac.9:19-
22).
3. His time alone with God in Arabia (Ga.1:17). The three years could
be three full years or parts of three calendar years. In comparing
this passage with
Acts
, Paul’s Arabian experience would seem to fit
in best at the close of Acts 9:22. There seems to be a natural break
there. Acts 9:23 begins by saying, “And after that many days were
fulfilled,” which seems to be saying there was a long period of time
between his conversion visit to Damascus (Ac.9:3, 10-22) and the
ministry which he launched after his Arabian seclusion. He
launched the ministry in the most natural place, Damascus, among
the believers whom he knew (Ac.9:23).
4. His second ministry in Damascus after returning from Arabia
(Ac.9:23-25).
5. His first trip to Jerusalem for fifteen days to see Peter (Ga.1:18-19;
Ac.9:23-30). The apostles in Ac.9:27 would be Peter and James, the
Lord’s brother.
6. His ministry in and around Tarsus which apparently lasted for
about eleven years (Ga.1:21-2:1).
7. His call by Barnabas to help him minister in Antioch (Ac.11:25-
26).
8. His second trip to Jerusalem to carry relief goods during a famine
(Ga.2:1f; Ac.11:30; 12:25). Some say that this return trip to Jerusa-
lem is the trip to the Jerusalem Council described in Acts 15. How-
ever, two significant problems exist with this position. First, Paul
emphasizes a private interview in Ga.2:2, whereas the Acts account
is a public meeting. Second, where does the famine visit fit in? If
the account given in the second chapter of Galatians is not the fam-
ine visit, then Paul omitted the famine visit altogether from the ac-
count in Galatians. This is difficult to explain in light of the fact
that Paul goes to extra pains in giving his contacts with the Jerusa-
lem church. In listing his visits, he declares that he speaks the plain
truth,
“I lie not” (Ga.1:20).
9. His call and commissioning as a missionary (Ac.13:2-3).
10.His first great mission to the Gentiles: to Cyprus and Galatia
(Ac.13:1-14:28).
11. His return to Antioch after completing his first missionary journey
(Ac.14:26-28).
12. His third trip to Jerusalem to defend the gospel of grace before the
Jerusalem Council (Ac.15:1-30).
13. His return to Antioch with the message from the Jerusalem Coun-
cil (Ac.15:30-35).
14. His second great mission to the Gentiles: to Europe (Ac.15:36–
18:22).
15. His return to Antioch after completing his second missionary jour-
ney (Ac.18:22).
16. His third great mission to the Gentiles: Asia Minor and Europe
(Ac.18:23–21:16).
17. His fourth and final trip to Jerusalem when he was arrested
(Ac.21:17–26:32).
18. His journey to Rome as a prisoner (Ac.27:1–28:15).
19. His ministry in Rome while a prisoner (Ac.28:16-31).
QUESTIONS:
1. What lessons can you learn from the time-table of Paul’s
ministry?
2. What should be our order of priority in serving God?
3. In looking at Paul’s life, what special points are challeng-
ing to your faith? Why?
1. FIRST, HE WENT TO ARABIA: HE GOT ALONE WITH
GOD (v.17).
Paul had just been converted, and his conversion was a most dramatic
experience (see Ac.9:1f). Paul’s former life had taken two terrible
turns.
1. Paul had been very self-righteous. He had been steeped in reli-
gion and its traditions, form, and ritual. He had felt that he was ac-
ceptable to God because he was religious and did as much good as he
could. He felt that his own goodness and religion made him righteous
before God. He failed to see the absolute perfection and love of God
and the absolute imperfection and unlovableness of man. He was utter-
ly deceived about the true nature of man and God, of unrighteousness
and righteousness, of sin and forgiveness, of life and death.
2. Paul had become so self-deceived that he had launched a cam-
paign of hatred and murder against the followers of Christ. He had
used everything at his disposal to stamp out the name of Christ from
This publishing work is registered as a charitable organization in the USA and is supported through freewill offerings. We welcome
your articles, testimonies and questions. We reserve the right to edit or decline any material and are not responsible for the return of
any articles.
Since our beginning in 2000, many people have written to us, asking to be added to our mailing list, while others have sent us names of
their friends and family members. We think it is important for us to tell you that the cost of
The Amish Voice
is $.45 a copy and is totally
funded by readers from across our great country, who appreciate the ministry and care to support it. If the Lord would lay it on your
heart to come along side of us, by helping with expenses, it would be a great benefit as well as highly appreciated. In order to contin-
ue receiving the Amish Voice, please keep us informed of any changes to your address.
W
H
O
W
E
A
R
E