I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.
Summary: Paul gives us a brief glimpse of his visit to Jerusalem after his conversion.
The chronology of the New Testament is not like the chronology of the Old Testament. The Old Testament was recorded by people who God designated as Scribes. Somehow, God made certain that the history of the Israelites was preserved. Every year of history is recorded for us, beginning with Adam and continuing until the fourth year of King Darius (Zechariah 7:1).
After the Old Testament record in the Bible ends, there is a gap until read Luke’s gospel. In chapter three, Luke anchors his story firmly in the historical record.
“In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar …” (Luke 3:1)
History records that Tiberius Caesar was emperor from 14 AD to 37 AD. This dates the beginning of John the Baptist’s ministry as 29 or 30 AD, depending on the time of year you start counting. Adding three years for Jesus’ ministry brings us to 33 AD. After this date, the timeline becomes fuzzy. The Bible does not record dates in the New Testament with the same fastidiousness as the Old Testament, nor are they as important.
All this is to say that we do not know when Paul visited Peter.
Yes, we can make guesses, and no, it doesn’t really matter.
However, think about what Paul is telling us in this passage. He says, “ I saw none of the other apostles—only James, the Lord’s brother.”
Here we have another clue as to what life was like for the early apostles. The title “apostle” means “sent,” so it makes sense that all of the “other apostles” were out of town on missions for the church. It makes sense that Peter and James would stay in or near Jerusalem as they were the leaders of the new church.
Later, in Acts, chapter fifteen, we read about Paul and Barnabas returning to Jerusalem to meet with the “apostles and elders” (Acts 15: 2). In the story we see the apostles and elders back together functioning as a leadership council. We also see James acting as a leader of the group (Acts 15:13).
I think it is interesting that God would arrange a quiet introduction between Paul and the two church leaders, Peter and James. With everyone else on other business, Paul and Peter can establish a relationship, confirm Paul’s gospel, and introduce Paul to James.
It seems likely Paul would take the important step of validating his gospel with the church leaders who knew Jesus in the flesh (1 John 4:1, Acts 17:11). Paul understands that Jesus is the head of the church (Ephesians 1:22, 5:23; Colossians 1:18). He also understands that all the parts of the body need to work together (1 Corinthians 12:12, 18).
Application: Seek out leaders in the faith.
Food for Thought: How might things have been different if all the apostles had been together when Paul first visited Jerusalem as a Christian?
How might things have been different if all the apostles had been together when Paul first visited Jerusalem as a Christian?
How might things have been different if all the apostles had been together when Paul first visited Jerusalem as a Christian?
We can only speculate and give out own thoughts but there would be no way for anyone to know. What we do know what the Bible tells us. I do believe that it was all part of God’s plan to create and keep unity among the leaders of the church.
Thanks Tim!
You are absolutely right, we can’t know what would have happened.
You make an important point about God wanting to “create and keep unity among the leaders of the church.” I think you are spot on about what God was doing.
I am with T. There is no way to really know how things might have been different if the situation were different than what we see in scripture. The situation was what we see in Scripture and things happened according to God’s plan. I think the important thing is that we can trust the Scriptures and trust God’s plan.
Brother Rich,
Thank you for pointing us back to trusting Scripture. You are absolutely right! That is such a critical foundation for understanding God’s will for us.
01-09-2024, How might things have been different if all the apostles had been together when Paul first visited Jerusalem as a Christian.
Any difference would be a violation of God’s predestination in His foreknowledge of all events.
At creation, in His foreknowledge, God predestined every event that has and will occur in every individuals life on earth, and knows our response before we think or act on it. Every event is by our choice and is never a surprise to our Father in Heaven. God reaches out, calls the world to Him, knowing the response, choices made by each individual. This condition of our hearts will be revealed at the final Judgement.
John 16:8, When He comes (the Holy Spirit), He will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
Matthew 9:4, And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, “Why are you thinking evil in your hearts?
Romans 2:14-15, Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature things required by the law, they are a law for themselves, even though they do not have the law. 15 They show that the requirements of the law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts sometimes accusing them and at other times even defending them.
Also, Romans 8:28-29, 1 John 3:7-10
Thank you, Ron!
God’s omniscience is always a challenge to wrap our heads around.
🙂
Yep, being predestined in the foreknowledge of God, we can’t change anything. Only thing I could come up with.
Ron
Thanks Ron!
Your knowledge of Scripture inspires me and I appreciate you sharing!!