The following study has many links to passages to be considered. The approximate study time is 45 minutes.
Acts 9:19-25 ESV: 19 and taking food, he was strengthened. For some days he was with the disciples at Damascus.
20 And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.”
21 And all who heard him were amazed and said, “Is not this the man who made havoc in Jerusalem of those who called upon this name? And has he not come here for this purpose, to bring them bound before the chief priests?”
22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus was the Christ.
23 When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him,
24 but their plot became known to Saul. They were watching the gates day and night in order to kill him,
25 but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a basket.
As we read the passage before us, it draws us into the context of the events following Saul’s miraculous conversion. It leads us to questions concerning the time that Saul spent before going to Jerusalem. The words “some days” and “many days” leave the specific time frame unanswered. However, I believe it is of great importance for us to understand what happened as Saul was prepared for what was to become the most consequential apostolic work. It is hardly disputable that Paul’s life and ministry were most significant as he became a missionary to the Gentile Church and his writings are incomparable. His beginning in the halls of formal education, to his journey to becoming a messenger of God is richly illustrated in Scripture, along with many examples in the scriptures of other men called and prepared for the work of the Lord. Let’s explore these stories, examining both the formal and informal aspects of their preparation, the intimacy of their encounters with God, and the profound impact of their knowledge of God and Scripture.
Paul’s Journey Unveiled:
1. Saul in Damascus and Jerusalem (Acts 9:19-25)
- Taking food, Saul was strengthened, spending some days with the disciples in Damascus.
- He immediately proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, astonishing the listeners.
- Saul’s increased strength confounded the Jews in Damascus, proving that Jesus was the Christ.
- Threatened by a plot to kill him, Saul’s disciples helped him escape by lowering him in a basket through an opening in the wall. This is likely the beginning of his excursion into Arabia.
- The exact duration of Saul’s stay in Damascus during these “many days” is not specified. So, let’s see if we can find the answer.
3. Clues to the Duration of “Many Days”
- The Bible doesn’t provide specific details about the exact duration of Saul’s stay in Damascus during the “many days” mentioned in Acts 9:23. The term “many days” is somewhat indefinite and doesn’t offer a specific timeline. But, we know that he was there and left for Arabia and then returned.
- The total time is revealed in Paul’s own statements in his letters. In Galatians 1:15-18, Paul briefly mentions his time after his conversion.
- In this passage, Paul notes that after his conversion, he went to Arabia and returned to Damascus. The mention of “three years” includes his time in Arabia and Damascus. However, it’s unclear how the three years relate to each location. But the “many days” in Acts 9:23 includes all of Paul’s time in Damascus and Arabia before going up to Jerusalem.
- Now that we know three years were spent before officially meeting the other Apostles. But what was He doing during this time?
4. Clues of Paul’s Activities in Arabia
- The Bible does not provide detailed information about what Paul did during his time in Arabia following his conversion. The passage in Galatians 1:15-18 tells us that after his conversion, Paul went to Arabia and then returned to Damascus before eventually going to Jerusalem. However, the specific activities or events during his time in Arabia are not described in the Scriptures.
- Scholars and theologians often engage in speculation when it comes to Paul’s activities in Arabia. Some suggest that during this period, Paul received direct revelations from the Lord or engaged in private study and reflection on the Scriptures. At this point, you may be asking why I’m spending so much time on what we do NOT know. Bear with me as I believe we can come to an important conclusion. While I may not know a lot of particulars about Paul’s preparation, I can say with all authority that he was prepared! One only has to look at the profound result of his teaching and ministry to know this for certain. The proof is in the pudding so to speak.
- Ultimately, due to the limited information provided in the Bible, the exact nature of Paul’s activities during his time in Arabia remains uncertain. However, it is safe for us to conclude that this was spent to prepare him for what was to come. We can look at God’s preparation of many before him to reach this reasonable conclusion.
5. Delay and Preparation in Ministry
- Based on the biblical account, there was a delay or interval between Paul’s conversion and the beginning of his active ministry. After his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9), Paul went to Arabia (Galatians 1:17).
- Following his time in Arabia, Paul returned to Damascus before eventually going to Jerusalem. Even when he arrived in Jerusalem, there was some hesitation and suspicion among the disciples regarding his conversion (Acts 9:26-27, Galatians 1:18-19). It was not until later after he had spent some time in Tarsus, that Barnabas brought him to Antioch, and he became actively involved in teaching and ministry (Acts 11:25-26).
- This interval allowed for his personal growth, understanding of his calling, and preparation for the significant role he would play in spreading the Gospel. God had prepared the other apostles during their three years with Jesus and he prepared Paul as well. Now let’s look at other examples of the preparation of the preacher. God will always prepare us for the work to which he calls us. Even if requires a wilderness.
1. Moses: Formed in the Wilderness
- Moses, the deliverer of Israel, spent 40 years in the wilderness, an essential period of preparation for his role. Moses spent 40 years being educated in Egypt, 40 years in the desert getting Egypt out of him, and 40 years serving God.
- God used the solitude of the desert to cultivate in Moses a deep dependence on Him.
- Encounter: Exodus 2:11-3:10
2. David: Shepherd to King
- David, anointed as king while still a young shepherd faced challenges in Saul’s court and the wilderness before assuming the throne.
- His experiences shaped him into a leader after God’s own heart.
- Encounter: 1 Samuel 16:1-13
3. John the Baptist: A Unique Calling
- John the Baptist, chosen by God from birth, spent years in preparation before starting his public ministry. He also was in the wilderness and looked like it! His apparel and his diet were that of a loner.
- His distinct calling involved preaching in the wilderness.
- Encounter: Luke 1:13-17, Matthew 3:1-12
4. Jesus: God Incarnate
- Jesus, the Son of God, experienced about 30 years of preparation before His public ministry.
- His divine nature combined with human experiences, demonstrates the importance of both.
- Encounters: Luke 2:41-52, Matthew 4:1-11, Mark 1:35
Embracing God’s Training Ground
In each of these examples, we witness God’s diverse methods of preparation. Whether in the wilderness, the fields, or through formal education, the common thread is an intimate relationship with God and a deep knowledge of His Word. As we navigate our own journeys, may we find inspiration in these biblical narratives, recognizing that God’s training ground is tailor-made for each of His messengers. May we embrace both the solitude and the study, the trials and the triumphs, as we prepare to preach the timeless truths of the Gospel.
