Who was Paul commissioned to preach to?
Paul was commissioned to preach Christ to the heathen, that is, the Gentiles, rather than among the Jews. His calling was by grace, and when called to preach among the Gentiles, he immediately did not confer with flesh and blood.
Les explains that Paul’s commission was to reveal God’s Son in him so that he might preach Him not among the Jews but to the heathen or Gentiles. This calling goes back to Acts chapter 9. Les teaches that Paul had been called by grace to preach among the Gentiles, and when he was called, he conferred not with flesh and blood. Les also illustrates the principle of waiting on God’s opening through a young man in North Carolina who eventually used his knowledge over shortwave radio to a class of men.
To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
More Questions
Why did Paul preach to the Gentiles?
God revealed His Son in Paul so that Paul would preach Jesus among the Gentiles, and this happened right after Paul's conversion at Damascus.
Why did Paul go primarily to the Gentiles instead of to the Jews?
Paul, like God's Old Testament dealings with Israel, was sent primarily to the Gentiles, while only a few Jews come into the Body of Christ — the reverse of the Old Testament pattern where God dealt only with the Jew and a few Gentiles picked up the gleanings.
Who did God say Paul would testify about Jesus to in Acts chapter 9?
In Acts 9, God told Ananias that Saul would bear Jesus' name before the Gentiles and kings, and would still minister to the children of Israel.