Who, according to Les, are the two greatest men in history next to Christ?
The two greatest men in history next to Christ are Paul and Moses. Paul took Christianity out to the Gentile world, and both Paul and Moses had the greatest impact on all of human history. They are presented as second only to Christ in influence.
Les explains that a news magazine cover story once highlighted men who made an impact on history, and it included the Apostle Paul as one of the greatest, crediting him with introducing Christianity. Les clarifies that while Jesus Christ is the foundation and basis of Christianity, it was Paul who took it out to the Gentile world. Therefore, next to Christ Himself, Les says Paul and Moses are the two greatest men who ever lived and had the greatest impact on human history. The context then introduces Saul of Tarsus standing by the garments of those stoning Stephen, with Stephen asking the Lord not to lay this sin to their charge.