Paul's ministry is significant because he was uniquely commissioned as the apostle to the Gentiles, revealing the Gospel of Grace and ushering in the Church Age.
After Israel's rejection of Christ, God raised up Paul to be the apostle of the Gentiles, as Paul himself states in Romans 11:13. Through him, God revealed the Gospel of Grace, distinct from the Gospel of the Kingdom, and began calling out a people for His name—the Church, the Body of Christ. This marked the beginning of the Age of Grace, where salvation is offered to both Jews and Gentiles by faith in Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Romans 11:13 — Paul explicitly identifies himself as the apostle of the Gentiles, establishing his unique role.
The Bible reveals that Paul was chosen by God from his mother's womb to preach Christ among the Gentiles (Galatians 1:15-16). In Romans 11:13, Paul declares, 'I am the apostle of the Gentiles,' emphasizing his specific calling. Paul's gospel is summarized in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, where he writes that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, was buried, and rose again the third day. This gospel was the power that transformed pagan Gentiles and Jewish legalists alike, making them new creatures in Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's ministry marks a pivotal shift in God's plan. After Israel's rejection of Jesus as King, God raised up Paul, a 'little Jew,' to go to the Gentiles without benefit of Israel. Paul received his revelation directly from the ascended Lord, not from the other apostles, and was commissioned to preach the Gospel of Grace—that Jesus is the Christ who died for our sins and rose again. This began the Age of Grace, the Church Age, during which God calls out a people for His name, a body made up of both Jews and Gentiles. Paul's letters alone are written to the Church, making him unique among apostles.
Les explains that the Gospel of Grace is distinct from the Gospel of the Kingdom. While the latter focused on Jesus as the Christ, the Gospel of Grace emphasizes that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul received this revelation directly from the ascended Lord during his time in Arabia, and it became the foundation of his preaching to the Gentiles.
Paul's ministry began with his conversion on the road to Damascus, where he encountered Christ. Instead of consulting with the other apostles, Paul went into Arabia for three years, receiving revelation directly from the Lord (Galatians 1:15-17). This prepared him to go to the Gentiles with the message of grace.
Les emphasizes that Paul alone is called the apostle to the Gentiles in Romans 11:13. While other apostles like Peter ministered to the circumcision, Paul's calling was specifically to the Gentiles. His letters are directed to the Church, the body of Christ, and are the most neglected in the Bible.
Paul's Conversion
Les describes Paul's dramatic conversion on the road to Damascus, noting it occurred before the Gospel of Grace was fully revealed.
Paul's Revelation
Les explains that after three years alone with the ascended Lord, Paul was prepared to go to the Gentiles with the Gospel of Grace, not Law.
Paul's Uniqueness
Les notes that Paul did not confer with other apostles, but received his revelation directly, emphasizing the uniqueness of his ministry.
Apostle to the Gentiles
Les highlights Romans 11:13 where Paul calls himself the apostle of the Gentiles, and that his letters are written to the Church.
Called by Grace
Les discusses Paul's calling from his mother's womb and his mission to preach among the Gentiles, all by grace.
Age of Grace
Les connects Paul's raising up to the opening of the Age of Grace and the Church Age, as God turned from Israel to the Gentiles.
Paul's Gospel
Les defines Paul's gospel as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, which transformed both Gentiles and Jews.
Impact on History
Les mentions that Paul is recognized as introducing Christianity, going to the Gentiles without benefit of Israel.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul identifies his specific calling to the Gentiles, underlining his unique role.
Galatians 1:15-16: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Paul recounts his divine commission to preach among the Gentiles, emphasizing direct revelation.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4: Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
Paul defines the gospel of grace, the core message of his ministry.
Paul's ministry is significant because he was uniquely chosen to be the apostle to the Gentiles, revealing the Gospel of Grace and beginning the Church Age. His letters form the bulk of New Testament teaching for the Church.
The Gospel of Grace is the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). Paul received this revelation directly from the Lord and preached it to both Jews and Gentiles.
Watch the Teaching: Biblical Timeline: Creation to Christ's Kingdom!