In his letter to the Galatians, Paul shares a remarkable snapshot of his early ministry:
“Then three years later I went up to Jerusalem to become acquainted with Cephas, and stayed with him fifteen days. But I did not see any other of the apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. (Now in what I am writing to you, I assure you before God that I am not lying.) Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; but only, they kept hearing, ‘He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy.’ And they were glorifying God because of me.” Gal 1:18-24
Do you choose Truth over Tradition
Shortly after his dramatic conversion, Paul faced a crucial decision. The natural response for someone in his position would have been to seek guidance from the apostles in Jerusalem. Instead, he boldly declared, “Immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me.” This wasn’t an act of pride or isolation; it was a deliberate choice to follow a spiritual path. Paul was convinced that the true gospel was a revelation from God Himself—not a set of teachings passed down solely by human tradition.
Do you spend Time with the Word
Paul’s journey soon led him into Arabia, a region that stretched from Damascus deep into the Arabian Peninsula under the Nabataean kingdom. In this secluded and sacred environment, reminiscent of Sinai’s profound silence, Paul dedicated himself to deep meditation, Bible study, and prayer. Picture him under the ancient ramparts of a rugged landscape, his bag filled with copies of the Torah, Psalms, and the Prophets. In those quiet moments, he revisited the Old Testament passages that foretold the Messiah’s suffering, resurrection, and eternal reign. He just wanted to know Jesus and experience him. How many of us do that these days? We take more time to fast for 40 days to be endowed with a special anointing, but the Word is lacking in the pulpit.
Are you held down by Traditions
After spending approximately three years in reflective solitude, Paul re-emerged with renewed strength and clarity. His return to Damascus was marked not by dramatic escapes or a desperate search for apostolic validation, but by a quiet, resolute independence. When he later journeyed to Jerusalem, he spent fifteen days with Peter (Cephas) and had the opportunity to meet James, the Lord’s brother. These meetings were not sessions for seeking approval or anointing; they were opportunities to fill in the historical details of Jesus’ life and deepen his own understanding of the faith. How about us? If we were to meet Peter today, I know many who would just kneel down and ask Peter for a special anointing, or even his cloak for a day. But Paul wanted to know more about Jesus!
Lessons for Today
Paul’s journey offers a timeless lesson. In our modern spiritual landscape, there’s a strong emphasis on chasing after special anointings and charismatic manifestations. Yet Paul’s example reminds us that the deepest transformation comes from a diligent study of the Word of God. I remember a Pastor once saying that he would be transformed, if he had more anointing. That line itself showed his understanding of the Gospel, and he now he is around the world preaching. There is a reason why Paul said in Eph 1 that his prayer was the eyes of our understanding would be opened. He spent three years in Arabia—not merely to receive an anointing, but to learn, to reflect, and to be molded by the Scriptures. To the degree we see Christ in the Word, our lives will reflect Him.
This raises an important question for us today: Are we as committed to studying the Word as we are to seeking outward signs of anointing? In a world where it’s easy to become captivated by the spectacle of spiritual gifts, Paul’s life challenges us to embrace the discipline of deep, personal engagement with God’s truth.
Reflect
Paul’s journey from Damascus to Arabia is a powerful reminder that true spiritual growth is rooted in the diligent study of God’s Word. His life teaches us that while divine leadership is important, it is the steady, transformative work of immersing ourselves in Scripture that builds a lasting foundation of faith.
Let us take a page from Paul’s book. Rather than solely chasing after the next spiritual high, let’s commit to spending time with the Word—allowing its truths to transform us, guide us, and prepare us for the work God has called us to do.
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