Paul had been saved three whole years … before he ever laid eyes on any of Jesus’ Disciples! Peter or Matthew or Thomas, or any of the others! The (yet to become) great Apostle did NOT learn the basics of Christianity from them! But apparently, directly from Jesus! Via the Holy Spirit of God! Via those years alone in Arabia!
Wow!
But now today’s Text adds: “Then after three years I (Paul) went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord’s brother.” Galatians 1:18-19
What informative autobiography!
What character revealing lines!
But why Peter?
Because he had become the “spokesman” for the original Apostles/Disciples, maybe. Sort of a “leader?” (Though never a dictator or “Pope!”)
Then again maybe because Peter had been among the first (excluding the ladies) of Jesus’ first followers to know Christ’s True Identity! As in Matthew 16:16 here: “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Wow!
So … for two weeks and a day Paul and Peter invested time together, discussing (no doubt) the Things of our Lord! His Life, earthly and heavenly! (Comparing notes, so to speak!)
I doubt Paul learned much new information, really. But he sure did get further confirmation on a number of issues, or so I suspect. Then again maybe Paul was confirming Peter on some things!
Why did Paul not see any of the other Disciples, the other ten? My guess is that they were all gone, away, preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus in other places.
Remember, persecution had scattered them, God-sent persecution! (We know the rank and file were scattered like that! I am suggesting maybe even the Apostles later, as the “heat” intensified. And it sure did! “And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.” Acts 8:1, remember, I said “later” for the Twelve.
Anyway, Paul and Peter!
Opposites have again attracted!
A fifteen day Bible Conference!
Paul still learning about Jesus, maybe by now the incidentals.
How tall was He?
The color of HIs Eyes?
His manner with the children?
Did you ever see Him angry?
Describe His Resurrection Body, best you can, Peter.
“It was so aglow when I beheld Him, I was blinded!” So would have Paul said.
Wow again!
Then, for some reason, Paul then also met James.
This is James, the half-brother of Jesus. (Mark 6:3, speaking of Jesus … “Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon? and are not his sisters here with us? And they were offended at him.” Our Lord’s siblings!)
Half-brother? Yes, the same mother (Mary) but not the same father (Joseph)! Jesus being conceived of the Holy Spirit, the Virgin Birth miracle!
This same James, I fear, had a disruptive, negative influence on Paul in later years. Maybe it would have been better had these two never met!
But that’s another lesson, not here or now.
Then, after those days … Paul is gone!
Off again!
Preaching God’s Word, primarily to the Gentiles … just like God had called him to do. (God’s Will for Paul, from the dear Lord’s mouth directly to Ananias: “For he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel.” Note the order, Gentiles first, Acts 9:15.)
Preach, Paul, preach!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
And so he did, for decades!
Until … near the end of his life … he could confidently (yet humbly) say: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7, in other words, essentially: “I have preached the Word!”