Journal Gal 1 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: (Paul speaking) “But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was please to reveal his Son to me (in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles), I did not immediately consult with anyone, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia and returned again to Damascus.
Then after 3 years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas (Peter) and remained with him 15 days (but I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother…Then after 14 years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas (taking Titus with me). I went up because of a revelation and set before them (though privately before those who seemed influential) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure I was not running or had not run in vain…” Gal 1:15-2:2)
Observation: Paul recounting his life after Damascus is interesting; especially seeing if there are patterns and principles to imitate and promote to new believers…
Analysis: This section of scripture as it applies to Paul has always interested me.
It hasn’t been until this last decade that I even noticed it: After Damascus, being blinded, meeting Jesus in a vision, Paul getting his sight restored by a believer who, although obedient to the Spirit specifically explaining and telling him what to do probably would have rather kiss a pig, Paul—in an explosion of emotion, went out on a revival tour that rivaled anything Bill Graham ever did. (Review Acts 9)
Scripture says Paul immediately proclaimed Jesus was the Son of God and proceeded to prove it from the Scriptures. What happened next? Persecution: the local disciples spirited him away, but Paul shook them off like a running back and tried to get back in the game…
Nope, he took some time off to figure out what happened—3 years off. Then he went to visit Peter (not a friend at that time) and hung out for a couple of weeks (talked to James as well). Scripture does not explicitly reveal what was said between all of them although it can be speculated that there were apologies, tears and forgiveness all around, sharing meals, stories, thoughts, questions, prayer, worship, maybe a laugh or two—all in private. Paul learned some from the guy who walked with Jesus and the other guy who grew up with Jesus. What did Paul learn? Lost to history but was information necessary by the Grace of Jesus.
Then 14 years later (14 years!!), after much thinking, meditation, study, etc., formulated a gospel—something systematic, based upon scripture. Perhaps Paul tested it against biblical logic, using the knowledge he learned from before and especially Gamaliel (a mentor?), sharpened it, looked for holes…and after much deliberation, presented it before the Apostles over the Church at Jerusalem.
What do I imagine overtook Paul’s thinking over these 17 years? If I read and re-read the Epistles, I think I see the Gospel in two parts: 1) Preach the Gospel to the Lost (which like Kel said on 8/28 includes escaping and being saved from the Justified Wrath of God), but; 2) teaching the Gospel to the Found (which reminds us to remember the Ways and Works of God and to pursue Godliness (not morality).
Prayer: Father, thank you for history. Your people need history. I need to find and remember what you are like and what you have done. Israel often forgot. And with that forgetfulness, wandered. Why? Because they did not put you in the front of their minds always, keeping their mind firmly upon you. (Is 26:3)
Keep me focused, O Lord. Don’t let me wander.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes