Chapter 16—Paul Visited Jerusalem
Shortly after Paul’s conversion he visited Jerusalem, and preached
Jesus, and the wonders of his grace. He related his miraculous conver-
sion, which enraged the priests and rulers, and they sought to take his
life. But that his life might be saved, Jesus appeared to him again in
a vision while he was praying, saying unto him, Get thee quickly out
of Jerusalem; for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.
Paul earnestly plead with Jesus, Lord, they know that I imprisoned
and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee. And when
the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by
and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew
him. Paul thought the Jews in Jerusalem could not resist his testimony;
that they would consider that the great change in him could only be
wrought by the power of God. But Jesus said unto him, Depart, for I
will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
In Paul’s absence from Jerusalem, he wrote many letters to differ-
ent places, relating his experience, and bearing a powerful testimony.
But some strove to destroy the influence of those letters. They had to
admit that his letters were weighty and powerful; but declared that his
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bodily presence was weak, and his speech contemptible.
I saw that Paul was a man of great learning, and his wisdom and
manners charmed his hearers. Learned men were pleased with his
knowledge, and many of them believed on Jesus. When before kings
and large assemblies, he would pour forth such eloquence as would
bear down all before him. This greatly enraged the priests and elders.
Paul could readily enter into deep reasoning, and soar up, and carry
the people with him, in the most exalted trains of thought, and bring to
view the deep riches of the grace of God, and portray before them the
amazing love of Christ. Then with simplicity he would come down
to the understanding of the common people, and in a most powerful
manner relate his experience, which called forth from them ardent
desires to be the disciples of Christ.
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