Paul converted pagans through the working of the Holy Spirit, not through his own charisma or appearance.
According to Les Feldick, Paul's converts came from a background steeped in paganism and idolatry. Paul's physical presence and speech were not appealing, yet his preaching of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection led to a tremendous response, turning the Roman Empire upside down. This demonstrates that conversion was the work of God's Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:1-5 — Paul emphasizes preaching Christ crucified in weakness, showing conversion is by God's power, not human persuasion.
The Apostle Paul himself explains in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 that he came to Corinth not with excellence of speech or wisdom, but declaring the testimony of God, determined to know nothing among them save Jesus Christ and Him crucified. He was with them in weakness, fear, and much trembling, and his speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that their faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. This aligns with the evidence that Paul's converts were pagans who turned from idolatry to the living God, as seen in 1 Thessalonians 1:9.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's converts came from a background of paganism and idolatry. He notes that Paul was not physically impressive or charismatic, unlike Apollos, yet he gained converts strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul preached the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and this message alone, without fanfare or advance men, led multitudes of pagans to turn from their idols. Les highlights Paul's perseverance through suffering—beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment—only for the sake of taking the Gospel to a lost world, showing that God's strength was made perfect in Paul's weakness.
Les Feldick repeatedly emphasizes that all of Paul's Gentile converts were pagan idolaters, steeped in paganism, mythology, and idol worship. They had been living in darkness until Paul brought them into the light of the gospel.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul preached the gospel that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day. This was the only gospel Paul knew, and it was enough to turn the Roman Empire upside down.
Les explains that Paul was not a man who attracted people by his appearance or speech, but rather he gained converts through the working of the Holy Spirit. Paul suffered greatly—beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment—but he gloried in his infirmities so that the power of Christ could rest upon him. This shows that God's power was made perfect in Paul's weakness.
Paul's Suffering for the Gospel
Les Feldick explains that Paul endured constant suffering—beatings, shipwrecks, imprisonment—yet he gloried in his weaknesses so that the power of Christ might rest upon him, showing God's strength made perfect in weakness.
Paul's Lack of Physical Appeal
Les Feldick points out that Paul did not draw people by his appearance or speech, unlike Apollos, but gained his converts strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Converts from Paganism
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul's converts came out of a world steeped in paganism, mythology, and idol worship, and had now stepped into the light of Paul's gospel.
Paul's Gospel Message
Les Feldick explains that Paul preached the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and this alone, without fanfare, led to multitudes of pagans turning to Christ and turning the Roman Empire upside down.
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1 Corinthians 2:1-5: And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
Paul describes his approach to preaching to the Corinthians, emphasizing reliance on the Spirit's power rather than human eloquence.
1 Thessalonians 1:9: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;
This verse confirms that Paul's converts were pagans who turned from idols to serve God.
2 Corinthians 12:9: And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
This verse illustrates Paul's reliance on God's strength in his weakness, a key aspect of his ministry.
No, Les Feldick teaches that Paul was not the kind of man who drew people to him by his appearance or speech. Instead, he gained converts strictly through the working of the Holy Spirit.
Les Feldick explains that Paul preached the gospel of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection. This was the only gospel he knew, and it was powerful enough to turn the Roman Empire upside down.
Watch the Teaching: Why God's Strength Is Made Perfect in Weakness — 2 Corinthians 12:9