People afraid of Saul

“When he came to Jerusalem, he tried repeatedly to associate with the disciples; and yet they were all afraid of him, as they did not believe that he was a disciple.” (1) Saul returned to Jerusalem after three years. The reason is recorded in Galatians 1:18: ““hen three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days.” (a) He desired fellowship with the apostles. He likely wanted to obtain information about the Lord Jesus from them. Although Saul had encountered the resurrected Jesus, he lacked information about Jesus’ public ministry. (b) It is also likely that he sought reconciliation with the Jerusalem church. He needed to express words of apology for persecuting the church. (c) Furthermore, he likely wanted to start his next mission from Jerusalem. (2) However, even after three years, the believers in the Jerusalem church still doubted Saul. (a) Understandably, they were afraid of him. (b) To his former Jewish peers, Saul was also considered a traitor.

Barnabas mediates

“But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus at Damascus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord.” (1) Barnabas introduced Saul to Peter and James. This James was the brother of Jesus and a highly trusted figure in the Jerusalem church. He became the first overseer of the Jerusalem church. (2) Barnabas explained the following points: (a) How Saul had encountered the Lord Jesus on the road to Damascus, (b) that the Lord Jesus had appointed him as an apostle, (c) and how Saul had boldly proclaimed the name of Jesus in Damascus. (3) Barnabas’ efforts produced good results. (a) Saul stayed at Peter’s house for 15 days (Gal. 1:18). During this time, Saul likely gathered various information from Peter. (b) Saul enjoyed interacting freely with the believers of the Jerusalem church. (c) He went to the Hellenistic synagogues and spoke boldly in the name of the Lord. Even today, the church is blessed with individuals who play the role of mediators like Barnabas. Let’s reflect on what “spiritual gifts” we have been given. Let’s use those gifts to serve one another.