Paul 1.4

When I woke up for prayer the next morning, my burden for the Gentiles was heavier than ever. But my concern that the assembly of God in Judea would not receive them was also greater than ever. As those of us staying in the house of Manaen gathered in the courtyard, the Holy Spirit spoke to me. After Barnabas had finished praying, I spoke the word of prophecy.

"Brothers and sisters, the Lord Jesus would have Barnabas and I go to Jerusalem to present to the pillars of the church the door God has opened for us to the Gentiles."

Barnabas paused thoughtfully for a moment. Then he responded as I knew he would, "Then to Jerusalem we will go."

The eyes of Manaen's wife Judith peered out at me from beneath her veil. "You had better go secretly," she said. "Some will try to sabotage your purposes if they know what you are doing."

Jerusalem had once been the focus of all my hopes and dreams. I had disdained my Greek education and Tarsus in my early teens and moved to live with my sister in Jerusalem. Her husband was a Pharisee, and a member of the Sanhedrin. He convinced the great Gamaliel to take me on as a disciple.