Did Paul have apostolic authority even though he never walked with Christ in Palestine?
Yes. Paul had genuine apostolic authority even though he did not walk with Christ along the roads of Palestine. He defended his apostleship and asserted that he did possess that authority. His unique apostleship is central to the New Testament from Romans through Hebrews and brings the Gospel of Grace to Gentiles.
Les teaches that in 2 Corinthians Paul had to defend his apostleship because he did not walk with Christ up and down the roads of Palestine. Les explains that Paul nevertheless had that apostolic authority. A second constant point is that believers are not under Law but under Grace. Paul's unique apostleship is the very heart of the New Testament from Romans through Hebrews. He was brought into suffering and turmoil so Gentiles could have the Gospel of the Grace of God.