Something interesting that may have happened to the Apostle Paul

I'm presenting this a a "maybe" but very possible, and very interesting if true.

The great apostle preached a sermon on Mars' Hill in Acts 17:22-31. He appealed to the pagans of Athens through an inscription/devotion he found that said, "To The Unknown God." These devotions were the objects of worship to the pagan Athenians.

So Paul, being Paul, jumped at the opportunity to present this "Unknown God." Of course he had help with this from the Holy Spirit, as we see in Acts 17:16.

"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry." No doubt the Holy Spirit played a part in this.

In this sermon, Paul mentioned Christ in passing, as "that Man whom He (The Unknown God) has ordained," and "He has raised Him from the dead."

Some great preachers of the Gospel have pointed out that Paul had converts, but very few. Why?

They point to Paul having been taught a lesson from the Holy Spirit in 1 Cor. 2:1-2.

"And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God.

For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified."

After this sermon Paul left Athens and came to Corinth.

Acts 18:1
"After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;"

It is believed that somewhere during this trip from Athens to Corinth, the Holy Spirit smote the heart of Paul. When he wrote 1 Cor. 2:1-2 he was referring back to his leaving Athens and coming to Corinth. he said, "when I came to you," it was after the sermon on Mars' Hill.

Paul had failed to preach "Jesus Christ and Him crucified" to the pagans of Athens and now that is all He wants to do coming to Corinth, preach Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

It seems that Paul had failed but learned a valuable lesson that day. It is the preaching of the Crucified Christ that made the difference in a few converts or many converts.