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The precise place of this visit to Jerusalem in the record of the Acts is a debatable
point into which we do not seek to enter here: we note simply the following five visits:--
First visit (Acts 9: 25-29).--This corresponds with that of Gal. 1:
Second visit (Acts 11: 29, 30; 12: 25).--The first of an official character, the purpose
being to take a gift from the church at Antioch to the brethren in Judæa. This is the first
that could correspond with that of Gal. 2:
Third visit (Acts 15: 1-32).--A close comparison of this account with Gal. 2: makes
it difficult to feel that they are one and the same; here the exhortation to the Gentile
churches is: "That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from
things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do
well" (Acts 15: 29--based on Gen. 9: 1-7). At the visit of Gal. 2: the only exhortation
was: "Remember the poor."
Fourth visit (Acts 18: 21).--The last that could correspond with Gal. 2: In the
previous two visits Paul had been the messenger sent from the churches. In this it was
rather against their desire: for some reason it was imperative:--
"I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again
unto you, if God will" (Acts 18: 21).
This suggests that Paul "went up by revelation" (Gal. 2: 2). Nothing is recorded in
Acts of his stay there.
Fifth and last visit (Acts 21: 15).--With a gift from the Gentiles (Rom. 15: 25-28).
Thus Paul's first and last official visits to Jerusalem were connected with gifts to the
Jews.
It becomes evident in considering the circumstances of these visits what an
important position and influence the apostles at Jerusalem held, even Paul with his
divinely-appointed independence giving due regard to their word.
Assuming that Paul's fourth visit (Acts 18: 21) was that of Gal. 2:--we do not say
it was--we have the very latest occasion on which he could have received the suggestion:
"Remember the poor." After this visit Paul went on the last missionary journey of the
Acts:--
"After these things were ended, Paul purposed in spirit, when he had passed through
Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, After I have been there, I must also
see Rome" (Acts 19: 21).
While still on the outward journey Paul realized that he must return yet again to
Jerusalem. Why not go straight to Rome? Why go to Judæa where the Jews were so
opposed to him? The answer is in that word: "Remember the poor."