Yes—Paul's letters are significant because they contain the unique 'mystery' revelations and the foundational truths for the Church Age.
In the clips, Les Feldick teaches that Paul is the Apostle of the Gentiles and that his letters are where believers find the basic truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the local church. He also says the Holy Spirit revealed to Paul doctrines and truths not found in the Old Testament, the Gospels, or Peter's ministry in Acts. These revelations are presented as a 'mystery' given by God.
Ephesians 3:3 — This verse records Paul's own statement that the mystery was made known to him by revelation, directly explaining the source and significance of his letters.
Romans 16:25 — Paul identifies the mystery revealed through his gospel as something kept secret since the world began, underscoring the uniqueness of his message.
1 Corinthians 2:7-8 — Paul calls the wisdom he speaks the hidden wisdom of God in a mystery, which none of the world's rulers knew.
Scripture itself presents Paul's letters as the channel for a previously hidden revelation. In Romans 16:25 Paul speaks of 'the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began.' In Ephesians 3:3 he says, 'by revelation he made known unto me the mystery.' In 1 Corinthians 2:7-8, Paul declares that the wisdom he speaks is 'the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom,' and that 'none of the princes of this world knew' it, for otherwise they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. Scripture also affirms the value of Paul's writings as part of the inspired Word. In 2 Timothy 3:16, Paul writes that 'all scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.' While this verse speaks of all Scripture, it comes from Paul's own pen and supports the place of his letters in the believer's instruction.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's letters are central because they contain the revelations—the 'mysteries'—that were given specifically for the Church Age. He stresses that these truths are not found in the Old Testament, the Gospels, or in Peter's activity in the Book of Acts; they are a whole new revelation that came through the Apostle Paul (Clip 2). Paul is 'the Apostle of the Gentiles,' so he writes primarily to Gentile believers (Clip 3). For that reason, Les says the Pauline letters are where we must gather the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church (Clip 5). This does not mean the rest of the Bible is unimportant; Paul's revelations build on everything that went before, which is why Les teaches the Old Testament and Gospels as much as Paul's letters (Clip 2). Paul also writes only to believers (Clip 6), and his letters are themselves a progressive revelation, moving from simple beginnings to deeper spiritual truths (Clip 4).
Les teaches that the whole composite of truth for the church age—called 'the mystery'—comes from the pen of the Apostle Paul. In Ephesians 3:3, Paul says the Lord Jesus made the mystery known to him by revelation (Clip 1). Paul also speaks of the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world, which none of the princes of this world knew; had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (Clip 7, 1 Corinthians 2:7-8). These mysteries are not in the Old Testament, not in Christ's earthly ministry, and not in Peter's activity in Acts; they are a wholly new revelation (Clip 2).
Les emphasizes that Paul is the Apostle of the Gentiles, specifically called to that role, and he writes primarily to Gentile believers—unlike most of the Old Testament and Gospel accounts, which were directed to Israel and the Jew (Clip 3). Paul always writes only to believers, not to the unsaved world, though his letters are still appropriate for unbelievers to read (Clip 6).
When asked why he makes so much of Paul, Les asks where a person got instructions for pastors, deacons, and church elders—it all comes from Paul's letters. If you have these practices, you got them from Paul (Clip 1). Les further says that in these letters we find the essential truths for salvation, for the Christian walk, and for how the local church should operate (Clip 5).
Les says the Holy Spirit revealed to Paul doctrines and truths that no one else ever dreamed would happen, yet these truths build on everything that went before. That is why Les teaches the Old Testament and the Gospels just as much as the Pauline letters (Clip 2). Additionally, Paul's writings are a progressive revelation in themselves, starting simply and moving toward deeper spiritual truths that carnal believers cannot comprehend (Clip 4).
Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Paul Reveals the Mystery
Les explains that the whole composite of truth for the church age—the mystery—came from Paul and that doctrines like pastors and elders in the local church come from Paul's letters.
New Revelation Not Found Elsewhere
Paul's writings contain a whole new revelation of secrets not found in the Old Testament, Christ's ministry, or Peter's activity in Acts—revealed to Paul by the Holy Spirit.
Apostle of the Gentiles
Paul is described as the Apostle of the Gentiles, writing primarily to Gentile believers, unlike most Old Testament and Gospel material directed to Israel.
Progressive Revelation in Paul
Les shows that Paul's letters are a progressive revelation in themselves, moving from simple beginnings to deeper spiritual truths.
Source of Fundamental Truths
The Pauline letters are where believers must gather fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church.
Written to Believers
Les stresses that Paul always writes only to the believer, not to the unsaved world, though the letters are still appropriate for unbelievers.
Hidden Wisdom Revealed
Paul speaks the wisdom of God in a mystery—the hidden wisdom—which none of the rulers of this world knew, or they would not have crucified Christ.
Ephesians 3:3: How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
Paul tells how the mystery was made known to him by revelation, a key explanatory point of his significance.
Romans 16:25: Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
This verse ties Paul's gospel to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began.
1 Corinthians 2:7: But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
Paul describes the wisdom he speaks as God's hidden wisdom in a mystery.
1 Corinthians 2:8: Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
Paul states the hiddenness was so complete that the world's rulers did not know it.
2 Timothy 3:16: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Written by Paul, this verse affirms all Scripture is inspired and profitable, underscoring the role of the letters in instruction.
Yes—according to Les Feldick, Paul always writes only to believers. He does not write to the unsaved world, though his letters are still appropriate for them.
No. Les says Paul's revelations build on everything that went before, and he teaches the Old Testament and Gospels just as much as the Pauline letters (Clip 2). Paul himself wrote that all Scripture is profitable (2 Timothy 3:16), as Les notes in Clip 5.
According to Les, they came by revelation from the risen Lord. In Ephesians 3:3, Paul says the mystery was made known to him by revelation, and the Holy Spirit revealed to Paul doctrines and truths no one else had dreamed of.
Watch the Teaching: Why Does God Wait Until the End to Judge? — 1 Corinthians 4 Explained