Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem was inauspicious. Although "the brethren received us gladly," the elders were fidgety and fearful. Not one word of gratitude is recorded for the gifts which Paul and his companions brought with them to alleviate the poverty of the church at Jerusalem. One wonders why? Perhaps those who came with Paul to bring the gifts were too evidently "Gentile Christians." These Gentiles must have felt rebuffed, finding prejudice against them where they might have anticipated brotherly acceptance.

While James, the brother of Jesus and the leader of the Jerusalem church, greeted Paul, no other disciples were in evidence. By this time the original Twelve had scattered, but usually at least a few of them were in Jerusalem. And when Paul reported the glorious growth of his minis…