It is hard for us to imagine that someone who seems to hate us so deeply can change his heart, but it does happen. Jesus knows the ones who are persecuting his people and he also knows if they will change. Paul is our example of someone who was a Hellenist, raised and educated as a Pharisee, who became re-educated in the proof that Jesus is Yahweh. Paul had to make an about face, but it took a number of years between the time that he first met Jesus to when he started preaching Jesus in the synagogue. Luke gives us an overview of Paul’s conversion in Acts chapter 9, but he also records Paul’s testimony later which shows a few differences. The first section was written via the accounts of several witnesses, the second parts were Luke’s own eyewitness accounts. What we find out in Galatians is that Paul was not hanging around Jerusalem while learning about Jesus he was somewhere else for fourteen years. Paul made many enemies before his conversion yet he had even more enemies after his conversion. Paul was a hitman for the Pharisee mob. He was young and proving his allegiance to the Pharisaical order by beating, capturing, and imprisoning the people who believed that Jesus is Yahweh. Once Paul converted, the rulers and chief priests wanted him dead. Paul was more zealous for Jesus than he had been for the Pharisees. Paul gives us a glimpse of his resume which he spoke of when the Jews were trying to kill him. Something we should realize in our own time is that it is possible for the most outspoken critics to become followers of Jesus.
Act 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today.
Paul was born in Tarsus, not in Jerusalem. This made him a Greek speaking Jew or a Hellenist. His teacher in Pharisee school was Gamaliel. We know that Gamaliel had a much better response to the controversy of the disciples healing people. Some believe that Gamaliel later became a Christian and was baptized by Peter and Paul. Of course that history is erased as the rabbi’s still quote Gamaliel today.
“Ecclesiastical tradition makes him become a Christian, and be baptized by Peter and Paul (Phot. Cod. 171, page 199), together with his son Gamaliel, and with Nicodemus; and the Clementine Recognitions (1:65) state that he was secretly a Christian at this time. But these notices are altogether irreconcilable with the esteem and respect in which he was held even in later times by the Jewish rabbins, by whom his opinions are frequently quoted as an all-silencing authoritv on points of religious law (see Thilo, Codex. Apoc. page 501; Neander, Planting and Training, 1:46, Bohn)”
Cyclopedia
Act 5:34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the Law who was respected by all the people, stood up in the Council and ordered the men to be taken outside for a little while.
Act 5:35 Then he told them, "Fellow Israelis, consider carefully what you propose to do to these men.
Act 5:36 For in the recent past Theudas appeared, claiming that he was important, and about 400 men joined him. He was killed, and all his followers were dispersed and disappeared.
Act 5:37 After that man, at the time of the census, Judas the Galilean appeared and got people to follow him. He, too, died, and all his followers were scattered.
Act 5:38 "I'm telling you to keep away from these men for now. Leave them alone, because if this plan or movement is of human origin, it will fail.
Act 5:39 However, if it is from God, you won't be able to stop them, and you may even discover that you are fighting against God!" So they were convinced by him.
Act 5:40 After calling in the apostles and beating them, they again ordered them to stop speaking in the name of Jesus and let them go.
We see a picture emerging. Gamaliel, being rational and not interested in murdering people who disagree with the law, suggests that if what the apostles are doing is God’s will then any resistance to it will fail. There seemed to be many different sects that emerged and at this time Paul was a young man who was strong-arming them. This is not the teaching of his teacher. This tells us that the Pharisees, after Paul’s schooling, used Paul and turned him into a hit man, he was not taught this by Gamaliel. If indeed Gamaliel became a Christian later, it was probably by hearing Paul’s testimony, as well as seeing notable miracles by the apostles hands.
Acts 9:1 G3588 G1161 And G* Saul G2089 still G1709 breathing G547 intimidation G2532 and G5408 carnage G1519 against G3588 the G3101 disciples G3588 of the G2962 Lord, G4334 having come forward G3588 to the G749 chief priest,
Paul/Saul was breathing, meaning he was inhaling or literally in-breathing, and puffing up his chest. Paul was menacing and threatening phonos, murder, to the disciples of Yahweh. Luke writes this in hindsight, knowing that the disciples of Yahweh were true disciples, but Paul thought they were frauds who were misleading people. Interesting isn’t it? Paul was fighting for a religion that mislead people.
Acts 9:2 G154 asked G3844 from G1473 him G1992 letters G1519 for G* Damascus G4314 to G3588 the G4864 synagogues, G3704 so that G1437 if G5100 any G2147 should be found G3588 [2of the G3598 3way G1510.6 1being], G435 both men G5037 G2532 and G1135 women, G1210 having bound them G71 he should lead them G1519 unto G* Jerusalem.
Paul asked for a letter from the chief priest to take to Damascus synagogues so that he could bind men and women who were of the way. The word “way” is hodos, meaning “a highway or a path”. It seems funny that somehow the chief priests had jurisdiction over the synagogue in another country. It may be that they gave themselves exercised control over the synagogues and felt they had the right to imprison people in other countries.
Who was in Damascus? The Damascus Community, the faction of the Essenes who left Jerusalem after the Maccabees defeated the Seleucids. The Hasmoneans then walked into Jerusalem and took over, making Jonathan Apphus (Maccabee) the High Priest in the temple. The Hasmoneans technically had no right to choose the High Priest, and it should be noted that Jonathan Apphus was not of Aaronic lineage. This caused a division because many people felt the non-Aaronic high priest was a defilement and were led of the Holy Spirit to start a new community in Damascus. Those who stayed continued in the traditions of temple service. Out of those who stayed came the Pharisees and the Sadducees. Those two groups did more to deny the Messiah than anyone else. But Paul was schooled as a Pharisee. He was indoctrinated to believe that anyone who believed on Jesus was evil. The Damascus Community was a double bonus for the Pharisees as they then could imprison the Essenes who left Jerusalem because the Essenes all believed on Jesus as the Messiah. Paul was their hired henchmen. However things didn’t work out the way Paul thought they would.
Acts 9:3 G1722 And in G1161 G3588 the G4198 going, G1096 it happened G1473 as he G1448 approached G3588 to G* Damascus, G2532 and G1810 suddenly G4015 flashed about G1473 him G5457 light G575 from G3588 the G3772 heaven.
In Paul’s travels he came near to Damascus and suddenly he was enveloped in light. The light flashed all around him. It was light from heaven. Yahweh didn’t show up just outside Jerusalem. This journey was about two hundred miles. Yahweh waited until Paul was close to Damascus, so Paul had traveled just about the entire distance.
Acts 9:4 G2532 And G4098 having fallen G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 ground, G191 he heard G5456 a voice G3004 saying G1473 to him, G* Saul, G* Saul, G5100 why G1473 do you persecute me? G1377
Paul/Saul fell down and heard a voice asking why he was pursuing and persecuting Him. The “Him” was Jesus/Yahweh.
Acts 9:5 G2036 And he said, G1161 G5100 Who G1510.2.2 are you, G2962 O Lord? G3588 G1161 And G2962 the Lord G2036 said, G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G* Jesus, G3739 whom G1473 you G1377 persecute. G4642 It is hard G1473 to you G4314 [2against G2759 3spurs G2979 1to kick].
Paul asks if this is Yahweh, and Yahweh says ‘I am Jesus that you pursue and persecute’. Paul has been told through his Pharisee school that Yahweh is not Jesus, but the voice speaking to him, who has enveloped Paul in light, just said He, Yahweh, is Jesus. Paul was convinced by his schooling that Jesus was not Yahweh. Yahweh Jesus then says to Paul that it is hard or violent to kick his heel towards a goad or a sharp point. Jesus is commenting on Paul’s situation which is like smashing his heel into a spike. It is a sarcastic comment, like saying ‘do you like hitting your head against the wall?’.
Acts 9:6 G5141 And trembling G5037 G2532 and G2284 distraught, G2036 he said, G2962 O Lord, G5100 what G1473 do you want me G2309 G4160 to do? G2532 And G3588 the G2962 Lord G4314 said to G1473 him, G235 But G450 rise up G2532 and G1525 enter G1519 into G3588 the G4172 city! G2532 and G2980 it will be told G1473 to you G5100 what G1473 you G1163 must G4160 do.
Paul trembled with fear and was stupefied. Paul asks Yahweh what he desires for him to do. Yahweh Jesus says to stand up and go into the city. In the city Paul will find out what he is to do. When Paul relates this to Agrippa we find the added details of what Paul is to do.
Acts 9:7 G3588 But the G1161 G435 men G3588 G4922 journeying G1473 with him G2476 stood G1769 dumb, G191 hearing G3303 indeed G3588 the G5456 voice G3367 [3no one G1161 1but G2334 2viewing].
The men with Paul stood speechless and they heard the voice but didn’t see Jesus.
Acts 9:8 G1453 [3rose G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Saul] G575 from G3588 the G1093 ground, G455 [3having been opened G5037 1and G3588 G3788 2his eyes] G1473 G3762 [2no one G991 1he saw]. G5496 [2leading 4by the hand G1161 1And G1473 3him], G1521 they brought him G1519 unto G* Damascus.
Paul’s minds eye was opened, but even though his physical eyes were opened he couldn’t see anyone. His companions led him by the hand into the city.
Paul recounts his story twice. Once to a Roman tribune and once to Agrippa. Paul was being beaten for being in the temple after he made a nazarite vow. The local Christian leaders sold Paul out to the Jews and they were close to killing him when the Romans stepped in. Paul asks to speak to the people.
Act 21:37 (ISV) Just as Paul was about to be taken into the barracks, he asked the tribune, "May I say something to you?" The tribune asked, "Oh, do you speak Greek?
Act 21:38 You're not the Egyptian who started a revolt some time ago and led 4,000 assassins into the desert, are you?"
Act 21:39 Paul replied, "I am a Jew from Tarsus in Cilicia, a citizen of no insignificant city. Please let me speak to the people."
Act 21:40 The tribune gave him permission, and Paul, standing on the steps, motioned for the people to be silent. When everyone had quieted down, he spoke to them in the Hebrew language:
The Roman guards thought Paul was an Egyptian. Paul speaks to the Roman guards in Greek and to the people in Hebrew. Paul then gives his testimony to the crowd trying to kill him.
Act 22:1 "Brothers and fathers, listen to the defense that I am now making before you."
Act 22:2 When they heard him speaking to them in Hebrew, they became even more quiet, and he continued:
Act 22:3 "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia but raised in this city and educated at the feet of Gamaliel in the strict ways of our ancestral Law. I am as zealous for God as all of you are today.
Act 22:4 I persecuted this Way, even executing people, and kept tying up both men and women and putting them in prison,
Act 22:5 as the high priest and the whole council of elders can testify about me. From them I also received letters to the brothers in Damascus, and I was going there to tie up those who were there and bring them back to Jerusalem to be punished.
Act 22:6 "But while I was on my way and approaching Damascus about noon, a bright light from heaven suddenly flashed around me.
Act 22:7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?'
Act 22:8 "I answered, 'Who are you, Lord?'" He told me, 'I am Jesus from Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.'
Act 22:9 The men who were with me saw the light but didn't understand the voice of the one who was speaking to me.
Act 22:10 "Then I asked, 'What am I to do, Lord?' "The Lord told me, 'Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are destined to do.'
Act 22:11 Since I could not see because of the brightness of the light, the men who were with me took me by the hand and led me into Damascus.
Now all the Jews at Jerusalem, those that Paul had studied alongside in Pharisee school, those that he worked alongside making tents, just heard what happened to Paul on the way to Damascus.
Paul also gives his testimony to Agrippa. He explains that he was a Pharisee who lived in Jerusalem and the people can testify to that. He tells Agrippa that he thought it was his duty to take extreme measures against the people who believed on Jesus and against the name Jesus of Nazareth. Paul voted along with the other Pharisees to put these saints to death. Paul admits to hunting them down which is why he was going to Damascus.
Act 26:12 "That is how I happened to be traveling to Damascus with authority based on a commission from the high priests.
Act 26:13 On the road at noon, O King, I saw a light from heaven that was brighter than the sun. It flashed around me and those who were traveling with me.
Act 26:14 "All of us fell to the ground, and I heard a voice asking me in the Hebrew language, 'Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me? It is hurting you to keep on kicking against the cattle prods.'
Act 26:15 " I asked, 'Who are you, Lord?' "The Lord answered, 'I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.
It is funny that even at such a difficult time for Paul Jesus could be a little sarcastic. Paul adds a bit more insight to this story as he relates the events to Agrippa. Jesus says this:
Acts 26:16 G235 But G450 rise up, G2532 and G2476 stand G1909 upon G3588 G4228 your feet! G1473 G1519 [2in G3778 3this G1063 1For] G3708 I appeared G1473 to you, G4400 to handpick G1473 you G5257 as an assistant G2532 and G3144 witness G3739 both of what G5037 G1492 you beheld, G3739 and of what G5037 G3708 I shall make known G1473 to you;
Paul was able to stare at Jesus, he was able to look on Him. Jesus handpicked Paul. Paul was pursuing Jesus, not just persecuting the saints. Paul was chosen or appointed to be a servant or an “under oarsman” of Jesus. Paul is also to be a witness of two things: he is to witness of what he saw at that moment, and what he will experience and perceive as time goes on.
Acts 26:17 G1807 taking you out G1473 G1537 from G3588 the G2992 people G2532 and G3588 the G1484 nations, G1519 unto G3739 whom G3568 now G1473 I shall send you, G649
18 G455 to open G3788 their eyes, G1473 G3588 G1994 to turn G575 from G4655 darkness G1519 unto G5457 light, G2532 and G3588 the G1849 authority G3588 G4567 of Satan G1909 unto G3588 G2316 God, G3588 G2983 for them to receive G1473 G859 a release G266 of sins, G2532 and G2819 a lot G1722 among G3588 the ones G37 having been sanctified G4102 by the belief G3588 G1519 in G1473 me.
Jesus says that he will remove Paul out, away from the people and nations, and will send him to open their eyes and turn them around from darkness into light and the power of Satanas to the Elohim so that they will receive freedom from sins and a portion in holiness by faith in Jesus. This is why Paul is a witness and now witnessing again to Agrippa and anyone else who is listening.
As we go back to Paul’s experience in Damascus we find out that Paul was blind for three days.
Acts 9:9 G2532 And G1510.7.3 he was G2250 [2days G5140 1three] G3361 not G991 seeing, G2532 and G3756 he did not G2068 eat G3761 nor G4095 drink.
Paul fasted for three days. Meanwhile Yahweh speaks to one of those saints who Paul wanted to kill.
Acts 9:10 G1510.7.3 And there was G1161 G5100 a certain G3101 disciple G1722 in G* Damascus, G3686 by name G* Ananias. G2532 And G2036 [3said G4314 4to G1473 5him G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G1722 in G3705 a vision, G* Ananias! G3588 G1161 And G2036 he said, G2400 Behold, G1473 it is I, G2962 O Lord.
11 G3588 G1161 And G2962 the Lord G4314 said to G1473 him, G450 Rise up, G4198 go G1909 unto G3588 the G4505 street G3588 G2564 called, G2117 Straight, G2532 and G2212 seek G1722 for G3614 the house G* of Judas, G* one named Saul G3686 G* of Tarsus!…
Ananias has a horama “a vision, a sight, or a spectacle”. When he sees this sight he also hears Yahweh call his name and he answers Yahweh. Then Yahweh gives him very specific instructions. Yahweh tells him what street to go to, whose house to go to, and then tells him exactly who he is to see. Paul was fasting for three days and was blind when Ananias was given these directions. Yahweh Jesus says that Saul/Paul proseuchomai’s, he prays towards the Elohim. Paul sees in a vision Ananias coming to heal him.
9:11… G2400 For behold G1063 G4336 he prays,
12 G2532 and G1492 he saw G1722 in G3705 a vision G435 a man, G3686 by name G* Ananias, G1525 entering G2532 and G2007 placing upon G1473 him G5495 a hand, G3704 so that G308 he should gain sight.
Paul prays and saw Ananias lay his hand on him and heal his sight. Now Ananias is a bit concerned, but Yahweh says Paul already saw the vision.
Acts 9:13 G611 [3responded G1161 1And G* 2Ananias], G2962 O Lord, G191 I have heard G575 from G4183 many G4012 concerning G3588 G435 this man, G3778 G3745 how many G2556 evils G4160 he did G3588 to G39 your holy ones G1473 G1722 in G* Jerusalem.
14 G2532 And G5602 here G2192 he has G1849 authority G3844 by G3588 the G749 chief priests G1210 to bind G3956 all G3588 the ones G1941 calling upon G3588 G3686 your name. G1473
Ananias’ information is correct, but Yahweh tells him something about Saul/Paul.
Acts 9:15 G2036 [4said G1161 1And G4314 5to G1473 6him G3588 2the G2962 3Lord], G4198 Go! G3754 for G4632 [2a utensil G1589 3of choice G1473 4to me G1510.2.3 1this one is], G3778 G3588 G941 to bear G3588 G3686 my name G1473 G1799 before G1484 nations, G2532 and G935 kings, G5207 and the sons G5037 G* of Israel.
16 G1473 For I G1063 G5263 will show plainly G1473 to him G3745 how much G1163 he must G1473 G5228 [2for G3588 G3686 3my name G1473 G3958 1suffer].
Think about Ananias, he obviously hears from Yahweh, he speaks with Yahweh. He is not a novice believer. He is of “the way” that Paul wants to persecute, meaning he is an Essene/Nazarene/Therapeutae/Zadok Priest living in the Damascus Community due to the defilement in the temple. He is a very holy man. Yahweh tells him that Paul is a selected vessel, or a chosen utensil of his who will carry Yahweh’s name in the face of ethnos, nations, kings and the sons of Israel. We took a flash forward to see that Paul was witnessing twice in Israel to the sons of Israel. Yahweh knows that Paul will speak Yahweh’s name for him, but the proof for Paul and his companions is in Paul receiving his sight; so Ananias goes to Judas’ house to heal Saul/Paul.
Acts 9:17 G565 [3went forth G1161 1And G* 2Ananias] G2532 and G1525 entered G1519 into G3588 the G3614 house; G2532 and G2007 having placed G1909 [3upon G1473 4him G3588 1the G5495 2hands], G2036 he said, G* O brother Saul, G80 G3588 the G2962 Lord G649 has sent G1473 me, G3588 the one G3708 appearing G1473 to you G1722 in G3588 the G3598 way G3739 by which G2064 you came, G3704 that G308 you should gain sight, G2532 and G4130 should be filled G4151 [2spirit G39 1of holy].
Ananias calls Saul/Paul brother. Obviously at this point Ananias is not scared or concerned and he realizes that Paul is going to make Jesus known. Ananias tells Paul that he knows about the vision he saw, but this is not just about physical vision it is about Paul’s spiritual vision. Paul must receive and be filled with the Holy Spirit. This was Paul’s problem all along. He had an empty religion, just like all the Pharisees did. Paul did not, nor could he ever, receive the Holy Spirit as a Pharisee, because he, and they, had all rejected Jesus as Yahweh.
This is something for us to consider, as today there are people who are leaving their hollow dead religions because they want something more. The Holy Spirit is the answer. Once someone comes to Jesus as Yahweh they then can receive and be filled with the Holy Spirit. It does not matter how many evils one has done to the saints in the past, it does not matter how much harm someone has caused the church in the past, that one can be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:18 G2532 And G2112 immediately G634 there fell away G575 from G3588 G3788 his eyes G1473 G5616 as it were G3013 scales; G308 and he gained sight, G5037 G2532 and G450 having risen up G907 he was immersed.
As soon as Ananias laid hands on Paul a scaly substance fell off, away from Paul’s eyes. It was like something peeling off Paul’s eyes. Ananias did not give Paul a speech, telling him how he must act to be a believer. Ananias did not tell Paul about the four spiritual laws, or ask for guarantees about his commitment to Yahweh Jesus, he simply healed him and filled him with the Holy Spirit. Then Paul was baptized.
Acts 9:19 G2532 And G2983 taking G5160 nourishment, G1765 he strengthened. G1096 [3existed G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Saul] G3326 with G3588 the G1722 [2in G* 3Damascus G3101 1disciples] G2250 some days. G5100
Paul existed or came to be with the Damascus disciples for several days. What was he doing? Paul was asking questions. He wanted to know about what they believed and the power that they had. These people were Essenes, not Pharisees. They were Nazarenes, Therapeutaes, Zadok Priests, and Prophets. These people were spiritual heavyweights and they believed on Jesus as Yahweh because they knew Jesus. They saw Jesus go through their schooling from the time that he was 16 until he turned 30. They knew John too as he completed his schooling six months before Jesus. They knew Mary and Joseph as well. This is a highly spiritual group of people who were smarter than the Pharisees. This is another reason as to why the Pharisees hated Jesus. The Essenes remind the Pharisees of their empty defiled religion and remind them that they sacrificed the Holy Spirit for traditions of temple service. There are no prophets among the Pharisees because they do not have the Holy Spirit.
Acts 9:20 G2532 And G2112 immediately G1722 in G3588 the G4864 synagogues G2784 he was proclaiming G3588 the G5547 Christ, G3754 that G3778 this one G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G5207 son G3588 G2316 of God.
Paul then goes into the synagogues where he had previously wanted to arrest the people who believed that Jesus is Yahweh and instead he now preaches that Jesus the Anointed one is the Son of the Elohim.
Acts 9:21 G1839 [5were amazed G1161 1And G3956 2all G3588 3the ones G191 4hearing], G2532 and G3004 they said, G3756 [2not G3778 3this G1510.2.3 1Is] G3588 the one G4199 ravaging G1722 in G* Jerusalem G3588 the ones G1941 calling upon G3588 G3686 this name, G3778 G2532 and G5602 [4here G1519 1for G3778 2this G2064 3he has come], G2443 that G1210 [2them bound G1473 G71 1he should lead] G1909 unto G3588 the G749 chief priests?
This was Paul’s original plan, but plans change when you allow Jesus into your life. Let’s remember that the chief priests really had no jurisdiction in Damascus, their jurisdiction was only over the synagogue. The believers could meet in their own homes which is what they all did eventually. Sometimes a broken, demonic system cannot be fixed. We have to walk away just as the Damascus Community did around 150 BCE.
Acts 9:22 G* And Saul G1161 G3123 the more G1743 was empowered, G2532 and G4797 confounded G3588 the G* Jews G3588 G2730 dwelling G1722 in G* Damascus, G4822 instructing G3754 that G3778 this G1510.2.3 is G3588 the G5547 Christ.
Saul/Paul was strengthened more and more as he preached that Jesus is Yahweh and Christ. The Jews living in Damascus were bewildered.
Let’s look forward to Paul telling this to the Jews who wanted to kill him.
Act 22:12 (ISV) "A certain Ananias, who was a devout man with respect to the Law and who was highly regarded by all the Jews living there,
Act 22:13 came to me. He stood beside me and said, 'Brother Saul, receive your sight!' At that moment I could see him.
Act 22:14 "Then he said, 'The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will, to see the Righteous One, and to hear his own voice,
Act 22:15 because you will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard.
Act 22:16 What are you waiting for now? Get up, be baptized, and have your sins washed away as you call on his name.'
Paul testifies to the Galatians:
Gal 1:11 (ISV) For I want you to know, brothers, that the gospel that was proclaimed by me is not of human origin.
Gal 1:12 For I did not receive it from a man, nor was I taught it, but it was revealed to me by Jesus the Messiah.
Gal 1:13 For you have heard about my earlier life in Judaism—how I kept violently persecuting God's church and was trying to destroy it.
Gal 1:14 I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries, because I was far more zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.
Gal 1:15 But when God, who set me apart before I was born and who called me by his grace, was pleased
Gal 1:16 to reveal his Son to me so that I might proclaim him among the gentiles, I did not confer with another human being at any time,
Gal 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me. Instead, I went away to Arabia and then came back to Damascus.
Here Paul explains that he was zealous for the traditions of his ancestors. This is what caused the division in 150 BCE; the people who left followed the Holy Spirit, the people who stayed followed traditions. Traditions mean nothing, the Holy Spirit is everything.
Pay attention here. Paul says that after he got baptized he went to Arabia, and then later came back to Damascus. Who was Paul hanging out with in Arabia? The Essenes. Paul was spending his time in the same place that Elijah did when he wanted to speak with Yahweh. But he wouldn’t have stayed at Horeb for long. Paul was in the desert for fourteen years. Paul went through Essene Schooling. Essene schooling started at sixteen years of age until the time of twenty years of age. At that point one can choose to school for another ten years, until thirty years of age. This is what Jesus and John did. Jesus’s brothers may have gone through the four year program but they did not go through the fourteen year program. After this, Paul went back to Damascus. Paul did not travel through Jerusalem, he traveled through Jordan to Damascus.
Acts 9:23 G5613 Now when G1161 G4137 [3were fulfilled G2250 2of days G2425 1a fit amount], G4823 [3advised G3588 1the G* 2Jews] G337 to do away with G1473 him.
24 G1097 [3was made known G1161 1And G3588 G* 4to Saul G3588 G1917 2their plot]. G1473 G3906 And they were closely watching G5037 G3588 the G4439 gates G2250 both day G5037 G2532 and G3571 night G3704 so as G1473 to do away with him. G337
After a while the Jews plotted to murder Saul/Paul. They were going to watch the gates and when he passed by they planned to violently kill him. Imagine how they hated him as to want to murder him. Hate and murder is from Satanas, and Jesus said that the people were blinded by Satanas’ dark power. Paul’s mission was to reveal the truth, regardless of whether they believed on Jesus or not.
Acts 9:25 G2983 [4taking G1161 1And G1473 5him G3588 2the G3101 3disciples] G3571 by night, G2524 lowered him G1223 through G3588 the G5038 wall, G5465 letting him down G1722 in G4711 a small basket.
26 G3854 [3having arrived G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Saul] G1722 in G* Jerusalem, G3985 attempted G2853 to join G3588 the G3101 disciples; G2532 and G3956 all G5399 were afraid of G1473 him, G3361 not G4100 believing G3754 that G1510.2.3 he is G3101 a disciple.
The disciples lower Jesus down the city wall to avoid the gates where the Jews were watching for him. Paul then went to Jerusalem, but the disciples were still afraid of Paul and who wouldn’t be.
Paul explains to Agrippa:
Act 26:19 "And so, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision.
Act 26:20 Instead, I first told the people in Damascus and Jerusalem, then all the people in Judea—and after that the gentiles—to repent, turn to God, and perform deeds that are consistent with such repentance.
Paul tells the Corinthians:
2Co 11:32 In Damascus, the governor under King Aretas put guards around the city of Damascus to catch me,
2Co 11:33 but I was let down in a basket through an opening in the wall and escaped from him.
Paul continues explaining to the Galatians what happened when he went to Jerusalem with Barnabas.
Gal 1:18 Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and I stayed with him for fifteen days.
Gal 1:19 But I did not see any other apostle except James, the Lord's brother.
Gal 1:20 (Before God, what I'm writing to you is the truth.)
Gal 1:21 Then I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia.
Gal 1:22 But the churches of the Messiah that are in Judea did not yet know me personally.
Gal 1:23 The only thing they kept hearing was this: "The man who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy!"
Gal 1:24 So they kept glorifying God for what had happened to me.
Gal 2:1 Then fourteen years later I again went up to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus with me.
Paul is making a point about timing. He did not go to Judea for fourteen years. He spent time learning and did not spend time in, near, or around, Jerusalem. He was learning in the same schooling that Jesus and John had gone through. When he finally did go to Judea, Barnabas and Titus went as well.
Acts 9:27 G* But Barnabas, G1161 G1949 having taken G1473 him, G71 brought him G4314 to G3588 the G652 apostles, G2532 and G1334 he described G1473 to them G4459 how G1722 in G3588 the G3598 way G1492 he saw G3588 the G2962 Lord, G2532 and G3754 that G2980 he spoke G1473 to him, G2532 and G4459 how G1722 in G* Damascus G3955 he spoke openly G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 G* of Jesus.
The apostles have now heard about what happened to Paul because Barnabas brings Paul to them. Obviously Barnabas was among the disciples in Damascus and heard Paul speak in the synagogue. Paul was with them coming to Jerusalem.
Acts 9:28 G2532 And G1510.7.3 he was G3326 with G1473 them G1531 entering G1519 into G* Jerusalem,
29 G2532 and G3955 speaking openly G1722 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 of the G2962 Lord G* Jesus. G2980 And he spoke G5037 G2532 and G4802 debated G4314 with G3588 the G* Hellenists; G3588 G1161 but G2021 they attempted G1473 to do away with him. G337
Now the Hellenists, or foreign Greek speaking Jews, want to murder Paul. The Hellenists were Jews who lived abroad, not in Israel, yet they were Jews. The Hebrews and the Hellenists were jealous of one another and did not like one another. The Hellenist people spoke Greek, not Aramaic, whereas the Jews spoke Aramaic. Remember that Israel was ruled by the Greeks after the Greeks took over Assyria. These were people who probably found it profitable to do business in other nations as well as in Israel. Just as the Essenes were a different “sect” that the Jews intended to remain separated from, the Hellenists were a different “sect” as well in the eyes of the Jews. Because the Hellenists lived in other nations, the Jews thought of them as heathens. Technically, being from Tarsus, Paul was a Hellenist Jew which is why he started debating with them. Remember Paul spoke Greek and Hebrew.
Gal 2:2 I went in response to a revelation, and in a private meeting with the reputed leaders, I explained to them the gospel that I'm proclaiming to the gentiles. I did this because I was afraid that I was running or had run my life's race for nothing.
Gal 2:3 But not even Titus, who was with me, was forced to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek.
What was Paul teaching the Hellenists? Circumcision. There was no longer a need for Circumcision as the Holy Spirit is our mark or seal. Titus, a Hellenist, was not circumcised and this is what Paul was explaining to the Galatians. The apostles knew that the Hellenists were going to try and kill Paul.
Acts 9:30 G1921 And knowing, G1161 G3588 the G80 brethren G2609 led him down G1473 G1519 unto G* Caesarea, G2532 and G1821 they sent G1473 him G1519 to G* Tarsus.
The disciples sent Paul to Tarsus. Tarsus was five hundred and ninety two miles from Jerusalem. Paul probably went by boat. This is not where Paul stayed, but as he explains to the Jews who were trying to kill him, Jesus told him to leave Jerusalem because they would not accept his testimony.
Act 22:17 "Then I returned to Jerusalem. While I was praying in the Temple, I fell into a trance
Act 22:18 and saw the Lord saying to me, 'Hurry up and get out of Jerusalem at once, because the people won't accept your testimony about me.'
Act 22:19 "I said, 'Lord, they themselves know that in every synagogue I kept imprisoning and beating those who believe in you.
Act 22:20 Even when the blood of your witness Stephen was being shed, I was standing there approving it and guarding the coats of those who were killing him.'
Act 22:21 "Then he told me, 'Go, because I will send you far away to the gentiles.' "
If Paul had not been preaching that Jesus is Yahweh, the Jews and Hellenists would not have wanted to kill him. Paul was also speaking against circumcision. Paul could have led a quiet life in Jerusalem as it had been fourteen years since he was last there. Yet instead Paul was a witness, a chosen vessel for Jesus. Meanwhile, the churches in Judea and north into Samaria and Galilee had peace during this time.
Acts 9:31 G3588 [3the G3303 1Indeed G3767 2then] G1577 assemblies G2596 according to G3650 the whole G3588 G* of Judea G2532 and G* Galilee G2532 and G* Samaria G2192 had G1515 peace, G3618 being built up G2532 and G4198 going G3588 in the G5401 fear G3588 of the G2962 Lord; G2532 and G3588 in the G3874 comfort G3588 of the G39 holy G4151 spirit G4129 they were multiplied.
Things were quiet for a time and the churches had a chance to grow in the paraklēsis, the encouragement and exhortation of the Holy Spirit. Paul goes on to witness physically to many nations as well as through his written letters. Paul is still testifying today. He had an encounter that changed the direction of his life and I suspect that there are many people, just like Paul, worshipping empty, hollow, religion, rather than Yahweh Jesus. Once people receive the Holy Spirit, the emptiness is filled and traditions are seen as useless works. Paul came to learn about Jesus through people who were branded as “an evil sect” by evil traditionalists. It is the same today. Pray for our persecutors. Welcome to those who have found Jesus.
