Paul Enters Upon His Ministry
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God, and for contemplation. He wished to be alone with God, to
search his own heart, to deepen his repentance, and to prepare himself
by prayer and study to engage in a work which appeared to him too
great and too important for him to undertake. He was an apostle, not
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chosen of men, but chosen of God, and his work was plainly stated to
be among the Gentiles.
While in Arabia he did not communicate with the apostles; he
sought God earnestly with all his heart, determining not to rest till he
knew for a certainty that his repentance was accepted, and his great sin
pardoned. He would not give up the conflict until he had the assurance
that Jesus would be with him in his coming ministry. He was ever to
carry about with him in the body the marks of Christ’s glory, in his
eyes, which had been blinded by the heavenly light, and he desired also
to bear with him constantly the assurance of Christ’s sustaining grace.
Paul came in close connection with Heaven, and Jesus communed with
him, and established him in his faith, bestowing upon him his wisdom
and grace.
Paul now returned to Damascus, and preached boldly in the name
of Jesus. The Jews could not withstand the wisdom of his arguments,
and they therefore counseled together to silence his voice by force—
the only argument left to a sinking cause. They decided to assassinate
him. The apostle was made acquainted with their purpose. The gates
of the city were vigilantly guarded, day and night, to cut off his escape.
The anxiety of the disciples drew them to God in prayer; there was
little sleeping among them, as they were busy in devising ways and
means for the escape of the chosen apostle. Finally they conceived a
plan by which he was let down from a window, and lowered over the
wall in a basket at night. In this humiliating manner Paul made his
escape from Damascus.
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He now proceeded to Jerusalem, wishing to become acquainted
with the apostles there, and especially with Peter. He was very anx-
ious to meet the Galilean fishermen who had lived, and prayed, and
conversed with Christ upon earth. It was with a yearning heart that he
desired to meet the chief of apostles. As Paul entered Jerusalem, he
regarded with changed views the city and the temple. He now knew
that the retributive judgment of God was hanging over them.
The grief and anger of the Jews because of the conversion of Paul
knew no bounds. But he was firm as a rock, and flattered himself that