Persistance

While some the following is not explicitly stated in scripture, it seems to be a safe deduction. Most scholars will agree that the apostle Paul was a highly educated person. His ancestry was from the tribe of Benjamin, called himself a Hebrew of Hebrews and a Pharisee of Pharisees, the strictest sect of Judaism. His command of Biblical Hebrew and common Aramaic would have been superb. In addition, his writings demonstrate a huge vocabulary in Koine Greek, and possibly classic Greek. Paul had taken the time to accumulate an impressive understanding of the Jewish law and prophets; he was considered a rabbi by many of his peers. He was passionate and dedicated his life to attempting to follow God as he best understood according to his conscience. Luke introduces Paul as one who radically opposed anything that might pervert the Jewish people from serving God. He supported the stoning of Stephen. After this event, the Jerusalem religious council gave him letters authorizing arrest of anyone around Damascus who had supposedly denied their understanding of God’s desires and accepted Jesus as the promised Messiah. Along the way to Damascus, Paul encountered the risen Jesus. This meeting caused many of the rigid conclusions Paul held to evaporate. Many of the teachings about God from the prophets Paul had been taught were obliterated. After his meeting with Jesus, Paul was made blind and had to retreat into his mind to resolve what he had just witnessed. It is probable that since he now had demonstrative evidence that Jesus was who He claimed to be, Paul reviewed and rethought many of the “truths” he had come to believe. It is very likely the Holy Spirit began to help Saul as he examined each of these partial truths he had come to believe so strongly. After revisiting his convictions, Saul was so thoroughly convinced that, after his healing and baptism, he went forward immediately and directly teaching others about Jesus. “And immediately he proclaimed Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” – Acts 9:20 (ESV). The Jews at Damascus were not ready to accept what Paul had to say and this changed, passionate servant, now named Paul; he caused such a disruption that the authorities tried to stop him. "At Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of Damascus in order to seize me, but I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped his hands.” - 2 Cor. 11:32-33 (ESV). Scriptures do not provide clear details, but Paul spent the next 3 years in Arabia, or the desert, (there are many conjectures, even perhaps a visit to Mt. Sinai) following a pathway guided by the Holy Spirit possibly focusing on the Nabateans and their capital, Arabia Petrea. “But when God, who set me apart from my mother’s womb and called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, my immediate response was not to consult any human being. I did not go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before I was, but I went into Arabia. Later I returned to Damascus. Then after three years, I went up to Jerusalem to get acquainted with Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days. - Gal. 1:15-19 (NIV). The Holy Spirit did not leave details about these activities of Paul, but based on the activity descriptions left, it is a very good assumption that Paul would have continued to preach about Jesus and dodge authorities who would have opposed him. If the three years he was away from Damascus allowed time for the authority who wanted to arrest him to be deposed, this would help date the time Paul was in Damascus. Paul became a powerful and dedicated servant of Jesus, led by the Holy Spirit who helped achieve conversions of many Jews and Gentiles into Christians. Paul was viewed as successful because he followed directions from the Holy Spirit. While the needs of today are somewhat different than those in the time Paul lived, we also need to be as passionate as possible to follow the guidance of the Holy Spirit. When we are willing servants to support His goals, God will be glorified.