No — Paul's teaching is not in opposition to Jesus' teaching; it is the post-resurrection, grace-based continuation of the same divine message.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus' words in His earthly ministry were spoken before the cross and under the Law, while Paul received his message directly from the risen Christ in glory. Paul's teaching is not a competing gospel; it is the appropriate message for the Church Age. Those who pit "what Jesus said" against Paul are dividing what God has joined.
1 Corinthians 1:12 — Paul confronts the party spirit that sets "I am of Christ" against "I am of Paul," showing the opposition is human, not divine.
The Bible records believers claiming "I am of Paul," "I am of Apollos," "I am of Cephas," and "I am of Christ" (1 Corinthians 1:12). Paul never says that following Christ and following his apostolic message are rivals; he rebukes the whole divisive spirit. Paul also writes that his gospel came "by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Galatians 1:12), showing that his message is directly from the risen Lord, not from men. In 2 Corinthians 5:16, he says we no longer know Christ "after the flesh," pointing to the end of the pre-resurrection way of knowing Christ. Scripture itself, therefore, does not set Paul against Jesus.
Les Feldick answers plainly that Paul does not oppose Jesus. The apparent tension comes from failing to see the dispensational line. Everything Jesus said during His earthly ministry—with the exception of the post-resurrection chapters—was before the cross, under the Law, and contained nothing of the Gospel of Grace. Those who say "I go by what Jesus said" are unknowingly choosing to live before the cross. Paul, by contrast, received his insights from the risen Christ in glory after the work of the cross was finished. That is why Les calls Paul's writings the "meat" of our doctrine. He is quick to add that he uses the whole Bible—Genesis through Revelation—and does not isolate Paul, but the unique doctrines of grace are revealed through Paul. God even kept Paul away from the twelve and took him into Arabia to give him direct revelation from heaven, so Paul's message is not a human contradiction of Jesus but the risen Christ's own post-resurrection teaching.
Les says he constantly meets believers who tell him, "I know you like to teach Paul, but I'm not going to go according to Paul, I'm going to go by what Jesus said." He traces this to the same division in Corinth, where some said "I am of Paul" and others "I am of Christ." In both cases, Les explains, the problem is failing to recognize the different dispensations: Jesus' earthly words were under the Law, while Paul's words came from the risen Lord.
Les teaches that everything Jesus said before the cross was spoken before His blood had been shed and before the atoning work was finished. That ministry was in accordance with the Judaic legal system and contained nothing of the Gospel of Grace. The only exception Les notes is the final chapter of each Gospel after the resurrection. So when someone prefers "what Jesus said" in the Gospels, they are preferring a pre-cross, Law-based message rather than the post-resurrection revelation.
According to Les, God purposely kept Paul away from the twelve after his conversion. Instead of going to Jerusalem to be taught the early Jewish kingdom message, Paul was taken to Mount Sinai in Arabia. God said, in effect, "I'm going to show you these things from my own position in heaven." Paul then received the mysteries of grace directly from the resurrected Christ, so his teaching is still the words of Jesus—now fitting for the post-cross age.
No. Les says he uses the whole Scripture, Genesis through Revelation, and Paul himself says all Scripture is profitable. He does not isolate Paul's letters. What he does say is that the unique doctrines of grace—the "meat" of our doctrine—are found in Paul. The twelve were sent to Israel; Paul was sent to the Gentiles. That is not opposition but a fork in the road, with each ministry going in the direction God appointed.
Paul's Gentile Commission
God directed Paul into Gentile territory, the opposite direction from Peter and the twelve, showing separate but not contradictory ministries.
The "I Follow Jesus" Objection
Les describes believers today who reject Paul and say they go by what Jesus said — the exact opposition the question asks about.
Before the Cross vs. After the Cross
Les explains Jesus' earthly words were pre-cross and under Law, while Paul's words came from the risen Lord, so they are not in opposition.
Factions in Corinth
Les points to 1 Corinthians 1:12 where believers were divided between Paul, Apollos, Peter, and Christ, showing the same false opposition.
Whole Bible, Not Just Paul
Les clarifies he uses all Scripture, but the doctrines of grace are unique to Paul.
People Rebel at Following Paul
Les notes that emphasizing Paul causes people to say "I follow Jesus," the same division seen in Corinth.
Gospels Are Pre-Cross
Les teaches that staying in the Gospels means staying before the cross and under the Law, apart from the Gospel of Grace.
Paul's Arabian Revelation
God kept Paul from the twelve and gave him direct revelation at Mount Sinai so his message comes from heaven, not from the Jerusalem apostles.
1 Corinthians 1:12: Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of Christ.
Shows the party spirit that sets Christ against Paul — the false opposition Les addresses.
2 Corinthians 5:16: Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Paul says knowing Christ after the flesh has ended, pointing to the post-resurrection revelation.
Galatians 1:12: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul insists his gospel came directly from Jesus Christ, not from men, supporting Les's point about Paul's unique revelation.
Les says the apparent difference is because Jesus' earthly ministry was before the cross and under the Law; Paul's post-resurrection revelation is the Gospel of Grace. They are not opposite.
Les says many well-meaning believers say "I follow Jesus" and reject Paul, but they are ignoring that Jesus' earthly words were pre-cross; Paul's words are the risen Christ speaking.
No. Les says he uses the whole Bible, Genesis through Revelation, but the distinctive doctrines of grace are unique to Paul's writings.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Paul Spend Three Years Alone Before Preaching? — Galatians Explained