patience7
Member
I hope you don't take this the wrong way - at all - it is not my intention. We get ourselves into trouble when we deny the power of God, and with your question, it seems this is what you are doing. In fact, it is quit unbelievable that you have asked not only this question, but the question previous - what did it profit?
How many times was Paul able to share his testimony? We should never deny God's power when it comes to sharing our testimony and what it does supernaturally to people's hearts, even to unbelievers.
Have you personally learned anything from Paul's example from Jerusalem to the rest of his ministry? If not, then I can see why you would ask those questions.
Besides Christ, Paul was the forerunner of spreading the gospel, he not only spread it among Gentiles, but he also spread it among the Jews. We are taken on Paul's journey, to learn what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ. If you are not suffering for the sake of the cross, then you are doing something wrong.
I am not taking anything wrong and thank you for considering my feelings.
I think you are not understanding that I am not talking of Paul's overall ministry.
I am speaking in terms of just this specific trip to Jerusalem. I have never negated what Paul's ministry accomplished and I would not dare.
We will never have to suffer to the point Paul or any of the earlier apostles and disciples of Christ suffered due to the day and time in which we live. They were the forerunners of the gospel of Christ and they were in a time and place when legalism abounded. To the Jews, here are these ignorant and unlearned men telling them that Christ has made a way for the Gentiles to be included in the plan of salvation and that circumcision profited nothing, etc. Tearing down what they had been zealous for for many years, but I do digress.
As I said I am just talking in regard to this one trip to Jerusalem because that is what this thread concerns. Basically this whole trip he was defending himself before the people and the councils. I, myself, did not see anyone taught the gospel to the point of salvation during this trip to Jerusalem. The closest reference, at least recorded in scripture, would be: Acts 26:27,28 King Agrippa believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. Then Agrippa said unto Paul Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.