Saul Goes to Seminary
Do you know what I love about Bible?
Well, truth be told, there are a lot of things that I love about the Bible. Far too many to tell in this PODCAST.
But certainly residing at or near the top of my rather lengthy list is this: The window the biblical writers open to the growth and maturity of its principle players.
Case in point: The Apostle Paul.
Paul did not emerge from his road to Damascus encounter with Jesus a wholly-mature believer. Nor did Paul burst on the scene armed with a fully-formed theology that would become the capstone of his prolific writings. Paul had to grow in his faith as a committed Christ-follower just like the rest of us.
I love that!
Paul moved from a measurably primitive understanding of Jesus to a remarkably profound comprehension of who Jesus was and is and all that Jesus did and accomplished. This growth, this development, this maturity takes place right before our wondering eyes ever to behold in all of its spiritual splendor.
In short, Paul was a person in process, just like us! A process well-documented in the New Testament that as we are about to learn slowly-but-surely took place over many, many years.
And it all started with Paul proclaiming with all certainty: Jesus is the Son of God.
17 So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized. 19 Afterward he ate some food and regained his strength.
Saul stayed with the believers in Damascus for a few days. 20 And immediately he began preaching about Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is indeed the Son of God!” (Acts 9:17-20)
So, after just a few days of gaining true Biblical understanding, Paul was able to boldly and knowledgeably proclaim that Jesus in indeed the Son of God! And his proclamation reaped amazing results:
21 All who heard him were amazed. “Isn’t this the same man who caused such devastation among Jesus’ followers in Jerusalem?” they asked. “And didn’t he come here to arrest them and take them in chains to the leading priests?”
22 Saul’s preaching became more and more powerful, and the Jews in Damascus couldn’t refute his proofs that Jesus was indeed the Messiah.
23 After considerable time had passed [about three years or so], the Jews plotted together to kill him [Saul], 24 but their plot became known to Saul. (Acts 9:21-24)
How do we know three years passed? Where did Paul’s Apostolic training take place? Who established his smicha? Paul tells us so in Galatians 1:
11 Dear brothers and sisters, I want you to understand that the gospel message I preach is not based on mere human reasoning. 12 I received my message from no human source, and no one taught me. Instead, I received it by direct revelation from Jesus Christ.
13 You know what I was like when I followed the Jewish religion—how I violently persecuted God’s church. I did my best to destroy it. 14 I was far ahead of my fellow Jews in my zeal for the traditions of my ancestors.
15 But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by his marvelous grace. Then it pleased him 16 to reveal his Son to me so that I would proclaim the Good News about Jesus to the Gentiles.
When this happened, I did not rush out to consult with any human being. 17 Nor did I go up to Jerusalem to consult with those who were apostles before I was. Instead, I went away into Arabia, and later I returned to the city of Damascus.
18 Then three years later I went to Jerusalem to get to know Peter, and I stayed with him for fifteen days. 19 The only other apostle I met at that time was James, the Lord’s brother. 20 I declare before God that what I am writing to you is not a lie. (Galatians 1:11-20)
Okay, so to put it more simply: Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus and was blinded for three days while staying in the house of Judas. Presumably, while blind, he received enough instruction about who Jesus is (THE Son of God) to proclaim a somewhat rudimentary, though thorough and convicting sermon… thorough enough that the Pharisees in the synagogue could not refute it. Then, after a few days, he went away to the desert of Arabia for three years before returning to Damascus. When he came back to Damascus, he learned that the Jews there wanted to kill him. After escaping their murderous plot, he ran up to Jerusalem, where he finally met up with Peter and James.
Why does this matter? What was he doing for those three years in Arabia? He was receiving his seminary instruction – his smicha – from Jesus Christ, Himself.
Now, keep in mind that before God ever used Moses, He sent Moses into the desert. The same thing with Elijah, John the Baptizer… even Jesus, Himself, spent 40 days in the desert before beginning His earthly ministry. Paul was in good company.
So, suffice it to say, the desert – be it literal or figurative – is God’s primary place of preparation. God has established His seminary classroom in the desert.
But why three years? Think about this: Jesus was preparing Paul to be an Apostle. Not just a missionary, but one of His Apostles. Likewise, Jesus devoted three years to training each of His other Apostles. Even Matthias (who replaced Judas) was with the original twelve from the very beginning (Acts 1:21-26).
So, Paul became a fully authorized Apostle, and his seminary Professor’s name was Jesus of Nazareth.