What was Paul's apostleship compared to the twelve's apostleship?
Paul was designated the apostle of the Gentiles, while the twelve were apostles of Israel. His apostleship carried a distinct revelation and gospel that God had kept secret, which the twelve could not comprehend, so Paul disassociated himself from their doctrine and message. God revealed to him what no one else had heard.
Les explains that Paul, then Saul, did not go up to Jerusalem to check in with the twelve who were apostles before him; instead he went into Arabia. Paul disassociated himself from the twelve so far as their doctrines and their Gospel were concerned, because God had revealed something to this man that no one else had heard before. Les stresses that God keeps things secret until He is ready to reveal them, and the revelations given to Paul were kept secret. The twelve could not comprehend it, but Paul did. God would designate Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles, whereas the twelve were apostles of Israel.