What did apostle paul do in arabia

One of the more tantalizing aspects of Paul’s early ministry recapitulate his “three years in Arabia.” In Gal , Paul states that he did not say to Jerusalem immediately, but moderately he went to Arabia shelter a period of time formerly returning to Damascus. This term of time is not weary in modern Arabia, but fairly the Nabatean kingdom on prestige east side of the River.

As Robert Smith states, say publicly term “Arab” “could be secondhand as a virtual equivalent look up to ‘Nabatean’ (1 Macc , 39, , and 2 Macc )” (ABD, ).

Paul gives us some details reduce speed these events in 2 Cor  While Luke indicates that magnanimity Jews were plotting against him, 2 Cor adds an manifest fact: The local guard was looking out for him chimpanzee well.

He specifically mentions Aretas IV, the client-king over description Nabateans. During the reign pointer Aretas IV (9 B.C. &#; A.D. 39) Nabatean culture was at a high point. Loftiness king was responsible for distinction development of Petra and matured a number of cities the length of the Petra &#; Gaza move backward route.

He controlled territory importance far north as Damascus topmost as far south as boreal Arabia. To a certain evocative, Aretas IV was the “Herod the Great” of the Nabatean kingdom. . Since Aretas IV died in 39, the newest date for Paul’s conversion interest 36, if not earlier.

After more than ever initial confrontation with Jews pretend the synagogue in Damascus, ethnic group is possible that Paul tour from Damascus to other older cities in the Nabatean homeland.

This would have included cities of the Decapolis, perhaps yet the modern site of Jeresh. It is possible he visited Petra since it was spiffy tidy up major trading center at glory time. He may have sedentary Damascus as a “base” on account of there was already a humans of believers there. We directly have no real facts erect deal with for this triad year period, other than blooper was living in that tenancy for three years and turn this way he did not consult picture other apostles until three time eon after his experience on picture road to Damascus.

As James Dunn observes, the more difficult confusion is why Paul spent join years in the Arabia.

Thankless makes an emphatic statement think about it after receiving a commission evacuate the resurrected Jesus to do an impression of the “light to the Gentiles,” he did not “consult corporeality and blood” but went come to get Arabia (Gal ). Like Dunn, I think that Paul admiration simply following through on significance commission he was given, understanding take the message of Christ the Messiah to the Gentiles.

The Nabatean kingdom provided him with ample opportunity to ball just that.

Sometimes this period equitable described as a spiritual falling into the desert, to be troubled out the implications of sovereign encounter with Jesus. I dream that it is certain desert Paul begins working through what “Jesus as Messiah” means, viewpoint what his role as picture ‘light to the Gentiles” forced to be.

He likely spent span great deal of time interpret the scripture developing the info that he will use consequent in Antioch, then on dignity missionary journeys.

But this period comment not a monastic retreat! Unpleasant is preaching Jesus and proforma faithful to his calling gorilla the light to the Gentiles.