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Harmony of Acts 9 and Galatians 1

Paul was called and saved (Acts 9:1-9; Galatians 1:15-16a) in 34 AD. He spent several days in Damascus and immediately began proclaiming Yeshua in the synagogues (Acts 9:20). When many days had passed, the Jews plotted to kill him. But the disciples took Sha’ul by night and let him down over the wall, lowering him in a basket (Acts 9:23-25).

But, Paul did not go immediately up to Jerusalem (Galatians 1:17a); instead, he went away to Arabia (Galatians 1:17b-18a) for three years (to see link click An – Arabia during the Time of Paul) 34-36 AD

After three years, Paul returned to Damascus (Galatians 1:17b), preaching the gospel again in the synagogues. After many days the Jews plotted to kill him, but the disciples saved his life by lowering him over the wall of Damascus in a basket (Acts 9:23-25). Quite naturally, he found his way back to Jerusalem. 37 AD

When Paul came to Jerusalem he tried to meet with the apostles, but they were all afraid of him because they did not believe that he was truly saved. Barnabas took Paul and brought him to Peter and James, describing to them how Paul had spoken boldly in the name of Yeshua. So, Paul was with them, going in and out in Jerusalem for fifteen days, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord (Acts 9:26-30). He saw none of the other apostles, however, who may have been too afraid or may have been away from Jerusalem at the time (Galatians 1:19a). 37 AD16

During that same time, he was speaking and arguing with the Hellenists, but they were trying to kill him. When the brothers found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus (Acts 9:27-30). 37 AD

Then Paul spent six years in Tarsus, and the regions of Syria and Cilicia (Acts 9:30; Galatians 1:21). 38-43 AD

After six years, Barnabas found Paul in Tarsus, and brought him back to Syrian Antioch where he stayed as a teacher until the Ruach ha-Kodesh sent him and Barnabas out on their First Missionary Journey (see the commentary on Acts Bm – Paul’s First Missionary Journey). 44-48 AD

When they returned, Paul took Barnabas and Titus with him to the Council in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1-21; Galatians 2:1-10), where it was determined that the Gentiles did not have to observe the 613 commandments of the Torah or be circumcised to be saved. 48 AD