01.03. Paul's Early Years Of Service

Study 3: Paul’s Early Years Of Service (36-45 AD)

Introduction 1. When people think of the life of Paul, they are likely mindful of... a. His persecution of the church prior to his conversion b. His vision of the Lord on the road to Damascus c. His three missionary journeys recorded in the book of Acts

2. A period of his life that may not be as well-known is the ten years immediately following his conversion... a. His conversion likely took place around 36 A.D. b. His first missionary journey began 45 A.D.

-- What was Paul doing between his conversion and the time when the Spirit called him to begin his missionary journeys?

3. Knowing the zeal of Paul, it was not an idle time of his life... a. It was a time of preparation b. Combined with activity that would later serve him well

[In this study we shall survey the first ten years of Paul’s life as a new Christian...] I. Three Years in Damascus and Arabia (36 -39 A.D.) A. Initial Preaching in Damascus. . .

1. Immediately after his conversion, Paul begins preaching - Acts 9:17-20 2. To the amazement of those who heard him - Acts 9:21-22 B. Time In Arabia. . .

1. Paul did not stay in Damascus long after his conversion - cf. Galatians 1:15-17 2. He went to Arabia, the desert area east and south of Damascus a. How long he stayed is uncertain, though it is thought to have been the greater part of three years - cf. Galatians 1:18 b. What he did is unknown, though some think it was a time of personal reflection, and revelations from the Lord - cf. Galatians 1:11-12

C. Return and Escape From Damascus. . .

1. He returned from Arabia to Damascus - Galatians 1:17 2. Some time later an attempt was made to kill him, which he escaped - Acts 9:23-25 3. Years later he recounted his narrow escape -2 Corinthians 11:32-33

[Damascus was the first place Paul preached (Acts 26:19-20), and the first place he experienced persecution. It would not be the last place for either experience! Leaving Damascus, Paul makes his...] II. First Visit to Jerusalem (39 A.D.) A. Skeptical Reception by the Church. . .

1. At first, the church is afraid to receive him - Acts 9:26 2. Barnabas (cf. Acts 4:36-37) introduces him to the apostles - Acts 9:27; Galatians 1:18-19 a. He saw Peter, and stayed with him fifteen days b. He also saw James the Lord’s brother

B. Preaching in Jerusalem. . .

1. He was given free access to the church - Acts 9:28 2. He proclaimed boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus - Acts 9:29 3. He disputed with the Hellenists (Grecian Jews) - Acts 9:29

C. Attempt on his Life. . .

1. The Hellenists attempt to kill him - Acts 9:29 2. Paul is warned by the Lord in a vision - cf. Acts 22:17-21 3. The brethren send him to Tarsus by way of Caesarea - Acts 9:30

[It is evident that Paul has now become a dangerous enemy to his former friends. His testimony concerning the Lord and his own conversion is difficult to answer, and the opposition is willing to do anything to silence him! At this point Paul returns home (Tarsus) and spends...]

III. Five Years in Syria and Cilicia (39-43 A.D.) A. Return to Tarsus. . .

1. The place of his birth - Acts 22:3 2. Now the center of preaching in the surrounding regions of Syria and Cilica - Galatians 1:21 3. Elsewhere, brethren hear of his preaching - Galatians 1:22-24 4. Little else is known of this period of Paul’s life, though it may have been a time when: a. Churches in the area were established - Acts 15:23; Acts 15:41 b. Paul suffered persecution not recorded in Acts - 2 Corinthians 11:24-26 c. He had the vision of Paradise - 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 -- This period lasted about four to five years

B. Departure From Tarsus. . .

1. Occasioned by the arrival of Barnabas - Acts 11:25 a. Who introduced him to the Jerusalem church earlier b. Who traveled with him on his first missionary journey later 2. Who had come from Antioch of Syria, the site of a new and growing church - Acts 11:19-24

[As far as we can tell, Paul had worked alone up to this time. But with Barnabas Paul begins a series of labors in which he was always accompanied by fellow-workers. Barnabas and Paul shared their first work during...] IV. A year in Antioch (44 A.D.) A. Work in Antioch. . .

1. It had already grown due to the labors of others, including Barnabas - Acts 11:19-24 2. Barnabas and Paul taught a great many people that year - Acts 11:26 3. It was where disciples of Christ were first called Christians -Acts 11:26

B. News From Jerusalem. . .

1. Prophets from Jerusalem came to Antioch - Acts 11:27 2. A prophet named Agabus foretold of a great famine - Acts 11:28 3. The disciples in Antioch determine to send relief to their brethren in Judea - Acts 11:29 4. They send it by the hands of Barnabas and Paul - Acts 11:30

[This benevolent mission of Paul added a new dimension to his work, one that would accompany him later on his missionary journeys. It must have also been a time of anticipation for Paul, for after six years this was now his...]

V. Second Visit to Jerusalem (45 A.D.) A. Delivery of Relief. . .

1. For the brethren of Judea - Acts 11:29 2. To the elders by Barnabas and Paul - Acts 11:30

B. Return With John Mark. . .

1. Having fulfilled their ministry of benevolence - Acts 12:25 2. Joined now by John Mark - Acts 12:25 a. Son of Mary, in whose home many had prayed for Peter - Acts 12:12 b. Cousin (nephew?) of Barnabas - Colossians 4:10 c. Traveling companion on Paul’s first missionary journey - Acts 13:5 d. His earlier departure on that journey would become a sore point between Paul and Barnabas - Acts 13:13; Acts 15:37-39 e. He later became useful to Paul - 2 Timothy 4:11; Philemon 1:24 f. He was later with Peter (1 Peter 5:13), and authored the gospel of Mark

Conclusion 1. At this point Paul returns to Antioch of Syria... a. From which the Spirit will send him on his first missionary journey - Acts 13:1-4 b. From which Paul will begin all three of his journeys

2. In "Paul’s Early Years Of Service" (36-45 A.D.), a pattern is established... a. Preaching the gospel, followed by persecution b. Establishing churches, followed by edification c. All the while, concerned about needy Christians in other places The value of these early years of Paul’s service is seen in how they prepared him for the work the Holy Spirit later had in mind for him. In our zeal to be of great service to the Lord, don’t discount the need for time spent in preparation and preliminary acts of service. How we serve in small things will determine our usefulness in greater things:

He who is faithful in what is least is faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also in much. - Luke 16:10