Yes, Paul taught that his own authority as an apostle, specifically to the Gentiles, was primary, and in effect the authority of the Twelve faded.
Les Feldick points out that Paul, in 2 Corinthians 11-12, declared he was 'not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles,' showing that Peter, James, and John held no higher authority than him. He explains that they had 'slipped off the scene' and 'lost all their authority' while Paul became God's chosen vessel for the gospel to the whole world. This shift was part of God's plan for the age of grace.
2 Corinthians 11:5 — Paul states he is not inferior to the 'chiefest apostles,' directly addressing the question of authority.
In 2 Corinthians 11:5, Paul writes, 'For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.' This demonstrates that Paul, while acknowledging his own apostleship being questioned, asserts his equality with the leading apostles. Furthermore, in 2 Corinthians 12:11, he calls himself 'a fool in glorying' because the Corinthians compelled him to boast of his apostleship, indicating that his authority was under constant challenge. The Bible records that Paul was an apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13) and that he magnified his office, showing a distinct divinely-given role. Scripture also shows that Paul claimed to be God's chosen vessel to take the gospel to the nations, as seen in his writings (Ephesians 3:1-2). Thus, Scripture itself indicates a shift in authority from the Twelve to Paul in the context of the Gentile mission.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul, under inspiration, established his apostleship as the current authority for believers in the age of grace. He notes in 1 Corinthians that Paul had to address the Corinthians' divisions where some followed Apollos, others Peter, and others Christ. Les emphasizes that Paul's authority was under attack by Judaizers who claimed he was imposter and didn't have the authority of Peter because he didn't walk with Jesus for three years. However, Les points out that in 2 Corinthians 11 and 12, Paul declares he was not inferior to the 'chiefest apostles' and that Peter, James, and John had 'slipped off the scene' and 'lost all their authority.' According to Les, this was a deliberate turn: Paul became God's chosen vessel to take the Gospel of Grace to the whole world, not just Israel. Les also stresses that the Twelve had no ministry outside Israel, leaving Paul to pioneer in 'virgin territory,' further confirming his unique authority. Thus, the authority of the apostles faded in favor of Paul's unique role.
Les explains that in Acts 4, the apostles had great power and were in control over the early Jewish believers' common treasury. But by the time Paul wrote to the Corinthians, he was defending his apostleship against those who claimed he lacked the authority of Peter. Les clarifies that Paul, in 2 Corinthians 12, says he was 'not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles' and that those apostles had 'slipped off the scene' and 'lost all their authority.' This shift was due to the transition from the Kingdom program to the Age of Grace, where Paul became the primary apostle to the Gentiles.
Les points out that the Twelve had no ministry outside Israel. In 2 Corinthians 10, Paul speaks about preaching in 'regions beyond' and not boasting in another man's line of things. Les explains that had the Twelve already covered the Mediterranean, Paul could have built on their work, but they didn't, so every place he went was 'virgin territory.' This indicates the Twelve's focus was on Israel, while Paul's call was to the whole world.
Paul constantly had to defend his apostleship because of attacks from Judaizers who said he was a turncoat and lacked the authority of Peter who had walked with Christ for three years. Les explains that Paul was forced to boast (2 Corinthians 12:11) and to affirm his work, saying his apostleship was proven by the Corinthians themselves, as he had led them out of idolatry.
Apostles' Early Authority
Les shows that in Acts, the apostles had great power and were in control of the Jerusalem church's resources, establishing their initial authority.
Paul's Authority in the Age of Grace
Les teaches that Paul had to establish that he is the authority through whom God speaks to believers in this age of grace.
Twelve's Ministry Limited to Israel
Les points out that the Twelve had no ministry outside Israel, so Paul took the gospel to virgin territory, underlining Paul's unique authority.
Attack on Paul's Authority
Les describes how the Judaizers attacked Paul's authority, claiming he lacked the credentials of Peter, which forced Paul to defend his apostleship.
Paul Compelled to Boast
Les explains that Paul was forced to boast of his apostleship because the Corinthians refused to acknowledge him, despite his bringing them out of paganism.
Paul Not Inferior to Chiefest Apostles
Les directly answers the question: Paul said he was not inferior to the 'chiefest apostles' and that Peter, James, and John had lost their authority, Paul being God's chosen vessel for the world.
Paul's Unique Apostleship to the Gentiles
Les emphasizes that Paul claimed to be the apostle of the Gentiles and magnified his office, showing his distinct role.
Paul's Apostleship Proven
Les explains that Paul proved his apostleship by the fruits of his ministry, leading the Corinthians out of idolatry, which contrasted with the claims of the Twelve's followers.
2 Corinthians 11:5: For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Paul equates his authority with the leading apostles, directly answering the question of authority.
2 Corinthians 12:11: I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chiefest apostles, though I be nothing.
Paul's forced boasting highlights the challenge to his authority and his assertion of equality.
Acts 4:33: And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.
Shows the initial power and authority of the apostles in Jerusalem.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul's unique office as apostle to the Gentiles, indicating a shift in focus.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul claimed he was not a whit behind the 'very chiefest apostles' (2 Corinthians 11:5). He explains that Paul's authority was equal to Peter and the Twelve, and that they had lost their authority in the age of grace, making Paul the primary apostle for the Gentiles.
Paul was constantly attacked by Judaizers who said he was a turncoat to Judaism and lacked the authority of Peter because he didn't walk with Jesus for three years. Les notes that Paul was forced to boast and defend his office, even though he had brought the Corinthians out of paganism.
Les says that the Twelve had no ministry outside Israel and that they 'slipped off the scene' and 'lost all their authority' as Paul took the gospel to the whole world. This was part of God's transition to the age of grace.
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