Paul 1.10

The ship made several stops on the way south down the coast--Sidon, Tyre, Ptolemais. Most were only for the night, although we stayed with the brothers several nights at Tyre. We finally landed at Caesarea and in the morning headed up toward Jerusalem, which was about a three day journey.

We were eager to have the support of the pillars. Of course I was already confident in the Lord that we were pursuing the right course with the Gentiles. Barnabas was more guarded, but also believed we would receive their support. After Peter had seen the Holy Spirit fall on the Gentiles at Cornelius' house, how could he not support us?

The city came into sight in the afternoon of the third day. The question of where to stay was complicated by the fact that Titus was with us, an uncircumcised Gentile. We also did not want our arrival to be too public. Barnabas and I had discussed the matter extensively.

We would not try to stay with any of the Aramaic speaking believers. We had thought of John Mark's home, where Barnabas had also lived for a time after he sold his other property. But I was not pleased at all with the idea, and Barnabas thought they might feel uncomfortable with Titus' presence.

My sister's husband had disowned me when I believed on Christ, as had my wife under the influence of her father. It grieved my sister greatly. We had lived together in my brother-in-law's house before that time. Then when I believed, my wife departed and went back to her family. Barnabas and I would certainly not be welcome with any of them.

We finally decided on Nicanor, who had ironically fled Jerusalem during the time I was persecuting the church. But he had later returned to his house and family. Now an assembly of Greek-speaking Jewish believers met in his house. He was a powerful voice among those who understood that God was now bringing the Gentiles into the people of God.