God continued His plan for the Gentiles by raising up Saul of Tarsus as the apostle of the Gentiles, sending him to bring the gospel to them.
After Israel rejected Christ and the kingdom, God did not abandon His purpose for the Gentiles. Instead, He saved Saul on the road to Damascus, a zealous Jew, and commissioned him to go to the Gentiles, thereby opening the Age of Grace and the Church Age.
Acts 9:15 — This verse records God's direct commission to Paul to take His name to the Gentiles.
Romans 11:13 — Paul explicitly declares his role as the apostle to the Gentiles.
The Bible records that after Israel's rejection of Christ, God sovereignly chose Saul of Tarsus to be a 'chosen vessel' to bear His name before the Gentiles (Acts 9:15). Paul himself acknowledges his unique role: 'For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles' (Romans 11:13). This commission marked a distinct shift from the earlier prospect where Israel was to be a kingdom of priests, drawing Gentiles to Jerusalem (Zechariah 8:23).
Les Feldick emphasizes that Israel's rejection of the King and Kingdom did not thwart God's purpose; rather, God raised up a 'renegade' and 'raging bull'—Saul of Tarsus—whom He saved by grace on Gentile ground. This new apostle was not one of the twelve but was specifically commissioned as the apostle of the Gentiles, a role that opened the Age of Grace. Les points out that Paul's letters alone are written to the Church, and this period of Gentile grace continues until God resumes His work with Israel.
Les Feldick explains that Israel was to be a kingdom of priests, and in that role, Gentiles would come to Jerusalem to seek the Lord (Zechariah 8:23). Ten men from all languages would take hold of a Jew's skirt, saying, 'We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' This was Israel's prospect, but they rejected it in unbelief.
According to Les, God chose Saul because of His sovereign grace, not due to Saul's merit. Saul was a zealous persecutor of the church, but God saved him on the way to Damascus, on Gentile ground, and immediately declared him a 'chosen vessel' to bear His name before the Gentiles.
Les notes that the twelve apostles were 'apostles of Israel,' chosen within Israel's borders. In contrast, Paul was commissioned on Gentile ground and uniquely designated as the 'apostle of the Gentiles' (Romans 11:13). Luke 1:21 qualifications for Judas's replacement would never have been met by Saul, showing his distinct calling.
Israel's Failed Prospect
Les explains that Israel was meant to be a kingdom of priests to evangelize the Gentiles, but they rejected that role.
God's Sovereign Choice of Saul
God brought the gospel to the Gentiles by raising up Saul of Tarsus, a 'chosen vessel,' and sending him to the Gentiles.
Paul as the Apostle of the Gentiles
Paul is identified as the apostle of the Gentiles, a unique role that his letters alone address to the Church.
Israel's Rejection Leads to Paul
After Israel's continued rejection, God raised up Paul, a 'rebel' and 'raging bull,' and saved him by grace, sending him to the Gentiles.
Opening of the Age of Grace
When Israel refused to believe, God raised up Paul and commissioned him to the Gentiles, thus beginning the Church Age.
Paul's Unique Calling vs. the Twelve
Paul was commissioned on Gentile ground as the apostle of the Gentiles, unlike the twelve who were apostles to Israel.
God's Commission to Ananias
God told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles, a concept foreign to the Jewish culture.
Saul Saved on Gentile Ground
God saved Saul outside Damascus on Gentile ground, immediately informing him that he would go to the Gentiles—the first indication of Gentile inclusion in Acts.
Zechariah 8:23: Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.
This verse illustrates the original prospect for Israel to draw Gentiles to God, a role they rejected.
Acts 9:15: 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:
This verse records God's direct commission of Saul to the Gentiles.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Here Paul explicitly acknowledges his role as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Les Feldick teaches that God chose Saul, a zealous persecutor, to demonstrate His grace. Saul was saved on the road to Damascus and immediately commissioned to take the gospel to the Gentiles, fulfilling God's plan to include them.
Israel's rejection opened the door for the Gentiles to receive salvation directly through Paul's ministry, beginning the Church Age. It was not a failure of God's plan but a sovereign shift in His purpose.
Watch the Teaching: Why Peter Preached to "Ye Men of Israel" (Acts 2 & 3 Explained)