Yes — Paul faced Jewish opposition because they rejected his message of grace to the Gentiles apart from Judaism.
Jews, whether believers or not, opposed Paul because he preached a gospel that included Gentiles without requiring them to become Jews. They saw him as an upstart who had not walked with Jesus, and they accused him of being a renegade to Judaism. This opposition forced Paul to continually defend his apostleship.
Acts 22:21-22 — Jews riot when Paul mentions the word 'Gentile,' showing their refusal to accept his Gentile mission.
In Acts 22, Paul recounts his commission to the Jews in Jerusalem. He tells them that the Lord said, "Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles" (Acts 22:21). The Jews listened until he said "Gentile," and then they rioted, shouting, "Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live" (Acts 22:22). This reaction shows their deep hostility to the idea of Gentiles being included in God's salvation plan without becoming part of Judaism. Similarly, in Acts 9:29, Paul disputed against the Grecians (non-Palestine Jews), and they attempted to kill him because they could not stand anyone going against Judaism. The Bible records that Jews pursued Paul from city to city and stirred up opposition against him wherever he went. Furthermore, in Acts 13, a Jewish sorcerer named Elymas withstood Paul and Barnabas, trying to turn away a Roman deputy from the faith, showing the persistent Jewish opposition to Paul's ministry.
Les Feldick explains that Paul's opponents, whether believing or still in Judaism, constantly attacked him with the accusation: "You never walked with Jesus like Peter did. You're just an upstart. You're bringing all this on your own." This forced Paul to defend his apostleship repeatedly, referring to his sufferings for the gospel. Les emphasizes that the core issue was that Jews hated the idea of Gentiles being included without becoming part of Israel. He says the Jews had been blinded to their role as a light to the nations and fought Paul every inch of the way when he mentioned the Gentiles. Les also notes that even believers in Corinth caused divisions, saying "I don't care what Paul says, I'm going to do what Jesus said," which is why Paul had to establish his authority as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Les Feldick says that Jews, whether believing or not, constantly accused Paul of being an "upstart" who had not walked with Jesus like Peter did. They claimed he was bringing his own message. This is why Paul had to defend his apostleship throughout his letters, especially to the Corinthians.
Les Feldick highlights that Jews rioted when Paul merely mentioned the word "Gentile" in his testimony before them (Acts 22). They shouted, "Away with such a fellow from the earth." This shows they rejected the whole concept of God's grace reaching the Gentiles without Judaism. Paul was not even permitted to go to the Gentiles.
Yes, Les says that the opposition came from "whether they were part of the believing element or whether they were still totally in Judaism." They all united against Paul's ministry to the Gentiles. Even in Galatia (not in these clips), some Jews called Judaizers opposed him, but in these clips, both groups are included.
Paul had to defend his apostleship repeatedly. Les notes that in 2 Corinthians, the first six chapters are largely Paul defending his apostleship and showing all he had suffered for the sake of the gospel. He also had to establish his authority as the one through whom God was speaking to the whole human race in this age of grace.
Why Paul Warned About "Another Jesus" — 2 Corinthians 11:4
is full of it tonight, and yet their end is going to be according to their works. Now, the great old Bible scholar from England said back in the early part of this century, referring to these kind of things, he said, "...I can envision the day when these people will stand before the great white throne," which, remember, is a place of only the lost, and he says, "...
Constant Pursuit of Paul
Les notes that Jews pursued Paul from city to city, creating hatred instead of envy, which shows their determined opposition.
Jews Called Paul an Upstart
Les teaches that Jews attacked Paul's credentials, saying he never walked with Jesus and was just an upstart, which forced Paul to defend his apostleship by listing his sufferings.
Attempt to Kill Saul
Les notes that some Jews (Grecians) tried to kill Saul because they couldn't stand anything against Judaism — religion can preempt murderous attitudes.
Riot at the Word 'Gentile'
Les uses Acts 22 to show that Jews listened until Paul mentioned the word 'Gentile,' then rioted and wanted him dead — showing their hatred of the Gentile mission.
Jews Rejected Their Role to Reach Gentiles
Les explains that Israel had been blinded to their purpose of reaching Gentiles, and they fought Paul every inch of the way, even to the point of wanting to kill him.
Paul's Authority as Apostle to the Gentiles
Les shows that Paul had to establish his authority because Jews considered him a renegade who had turned his back on Judaism, and even some believers questioned him.
Jewish Sorcerer Opposes Paul
Les uses the example of Elymas the sorcerer to show a specific Jew who withstood Paul's preaching and tried to keep a Gentile from hearing the gospel.
Acts 22:21-22: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles. And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.
Shows the violent reaction of Jews to Paul's mention of the Gentiles.
Acts 9:29: And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him.
Shows that even early on, Saul faced attempts on his life from non-Palestine Jews who opposed his preaching.
Acts 13:8: But Elymas the sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking to turn away the deputy from the faith.
A specific example of a Jew opposing Paul's ministry to a Gentile.
Yes, Les Feldick notes that the opposition came from Jews whether they were part of the believing element or still in Judaism. They all accused him of not being a true apostle.
They considered him an upstart who had never walked with Jesus like Peter, and they saw him as a renegade who had turned against Judaism. They did not accept his authority.
In Acts 22, they rioted and called for his death, saying he was not fit to live. Les explains that Israel had rejected their role to reach the Gentiles and fought Paul every step of the way.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Warned About "Another Jesus" — 2 Corinthians 11:4