Saul's mission after conversion was to be a chosen vessel to bear Jesus' name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
The Lord told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to carry His name to the Gentiles, kings, and Israel. Les Feldick emphasizes that this commission marked a dramatic shift: God was now reaching out to the Gentiles through Saul, who would become the apostle to the Gentiles, though he also went to the Jews.
Acts 9:15 — This verse directly states Saul's commission to bear Christ's name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel.
In Acts 9, after Saul's encounter with the risen Lord on the road to Damascus, the Lord spoke to Ananias about Saul. The Lord said, "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" (Acts 9:15). This statement identifies Saul's mission as bearing the Lord's name before three groups: the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel.
Les Feldick teaches that Saul was converted on Gentile ground outside Damascus, and from the moment of his conversion, God immediately informed him that he would be sent to the Gentiles. This was the first indication in Acts that God was bringing the Gentiles into the picture. Saul was converted under the Gospel of the Kingdom — believing that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of God, the King of Israel — because that was all that had been revealed at that time. But God had a broader purpose for him: he was to be the apostle of the Gentiles.
Immediately after his conversion and recovery, Saul went to the synagogue of the Jews in Damascus and preached that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God. Les notes that this was the Gospel of the Kingdom — the message that Jesus is the Son of God and the Messiah, which was all that had been revealed up to that time.
Les emphasizes that Saul was saved on Gentile ground (just outside Damascus, which is in Gentile territory), not on Jewish ground like the other twelve. At the height of Saul's rebellion, God in grace reached down and saved him, and immediately informed him that he would be sent to the Gentiles. This was the first indication in the book of Acts that God was going to bring the Gentiles into the picture. Saul's commission was primarily as the apostle of the Gentiles, though he would go to the Jews as well.
Ananias was initially reluctant because he knew Saul had persecuted the saints and had authority from the chief priests to bind all who called on the Lord's name. But the Lord said, "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" (Acts 9:15). Les points out that this was something unheard of in Jewish culture — the people had no expectation that they should go to the Gentiles in their generation, even though the prophets had spoken of Israel being a light to the Gentiles.
Gentile Mission Delayed Until Saul
Les explains that in the early chapters of Acts, the scattered believers preached only to Jews, and it was not until Saul's conversion that God began to turn to the Gentiles.
Saul Saved Under Kingdom Gospel
Saul was saved understanding only that Jesus was the Messiah and Son of God, but God had a path for him out among the Gentiles, necessitating further revelation.
Saul Preaches in the Synagogue
After his conversion, Saul went straight to the synagogue and preached that Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Son of God, fulfilling Old Testament covenant promises.
Saul Raised Up for the Gentiles
Les teaches that after Israel failed to be a kingdom of priests, God raised up one Jew, Saul of Tarsus, and saved him by grace to be the apostle of the Gentiles.
First Gentile Indication in Acts
Les emphasizes that Saul was saved on Gentile ground and immediately informed that he would be sent to the Gentiles — the first indication God was bringing Gentiles into the picture.
Why Paul Was Never One of the Twelve — Acts 9 Explained
Now as Saul makes his way on up to Damascus, just a little ways north and east of the Sea of Galilee, the amazing thing is that all twelve of the original disciples were all chosen within the borders of then known Palestine. Not a one was chosen from Gentile territory. They were all commissioned while Jesus was in His earthly ministry within the borders of Israel.
Saul Preaches the Gospel of the Kingdom
Saul was converted under the Gospel of the Kingdom, believing Jesus is the Son of God, and his initial preaching in Damascus reflected that message.
Chosen Vessel for the Gentiles
Les reads Acts 9:15 and explains that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear Christ's name before the Gentiles — a concept unheard of in Jewish culture.
Acts 9:13-15: Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem: And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name. 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 passage records the Lord's direct commission to Saul through Ananias, stating his mission to bear Christ's name before Gentiles, kings, and Israel.
Acts 9:20: And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God.
This verse shows Saul's immediate action after his conversion — preaching Jesus as the Son of God in the synagogues of Damascus.
No. Immediately after his conversion, Saul went to the synagogues of the Jews and preached that Jesus is the Son of God. God's commission to send him to the Gentiles was given at his conversion, but Les explains that Saul had to be taken away to be enlightened further before he went out among the Gentiles.
The Lord meant that Saul was set apart for a specific mission: to bear Christ's name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. Les emphasizes that this commissioning was God's way of bringing the Gentiles into His plan, after Israel as a nation had rejected the Messiah.
Watch the Teaching: Revelation vs. Instruction: How Paul Received the Gospel