We follow Paul's instructions because God gave him the revelation of grace and the mysteries for this church age, making his letters the source for church practice.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul is the designated apostle of the Gentiles for the age of grace. The fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church are drawn from Paul's letters. This does not mean the rest of Scripture is ignored; rather, Paul's writings carry the doctrines and instructions needed for the church.
Ephesians 3:2 — Paul identifies the dispensation of grace given to him for believers, showing why his message carries authority for the church.
Colossians 1:25-26 — Paul says the mystery now revealed was given to him, revealing that his church-age instructions were previously hidden.
Scripture shows that Paul's apostleship was tied to a divinely given dispensation of grace. In Ephesians 3:2 Paul writes of "the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward." In Colossians 1:25-26 he explains that he became a minister according to the dispensation of God given to him, "to fulfil the word of God; Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints." Scripture also teaches that all Scripture is inspired and profitable: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
Les Feldick teaches that for this age of grace, which he calls the Church Age, Paul is the designated apostle of the Gentiles. Because of that, the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church must be gathered from the Pauline letters. He stresses that this never means the rest of the Bible is inappropriate; Paul himself writes that all Scripture is profitable and inspired. Les also shows that God revealed the mystery of the church to Paul, a secret hidden from previous ages and generations. Paul's writings were given after the churches were established, providing doctrine, correction, and instruction. Les emphasizes that Paul received his message from the risen Lord in glory, after the cross, so his letters contain the doctrines that apply to the church age.
No. Les Feldick explains that focusing on Paul's letters does not discard the rest of Scripture. Paul himself says all Scripture is inspired and profitable, so the whole Bible remains in use. Les clarifies that he is not narrowly a proponent of Paul, but he teaches that the doctrines of grace are unique to Paul's writings and that believers should spend the best part of their study time there.
Les says the churches were first established throughout Asia Minor, Greece, and Syria, and then Paul began writing his letters. The churches needed doctrine, correction, and instruction, so the Holy Spirit prompted him to write. This is why Paul's instructions are the practical foundation for local church life.
Les explains that everything Jesus said in His earthly ministry was before the cross, before His blood was shed. But Paul received everything he wrote from the Lord in glory, after the resurrection. This post-resurrection revelation is the time most appropriate for church doctrine, which is why believers are to adhere to Paul's writings.
Les points to Colossians 1:25-26, where Paul says he is a minister according to the dispensation of God given to him, to fulfill the Word of God, even the mystery that was hidden from ages and generations but now made manifest. This mystery was held in the mind of God, was unknown to Israel and the Twelve, and was revealed to Paul, who came to be known as a renegade saved by grace.
The Dispensation of Grace Given to Paul
Les demonstrates from Ephesians 3:1-2 that the grace of God for this age was given specifically to Paul for believers, not through another line of revelation.
Paul's Letters and the Local Church
Les teaches that the fundamental truths for salvation, the Christian walk, and the operation of the local church are found in Paul's letters, without discarding the rest of Scripture.
Why Paul Wrote His Letters
Les says the churches were established first, and then Paul wrote his letters to give them doctrine, correction, and instruction.
The Value of Paul's Epistles
Les says Paul's epistles contain doctrines found nowhere else in Scripture and deserve the best part of our study time.
Unique Teachings in Paul's Letters
Les urges readers to see that many things Paul teaches are not present in the Old Testament, the Gospels, or the early chapters of Acts.
Using the Whole Bible While Centering on Paul
Les clarifies that he uses the whole Bible, Genesis through Revelation, and that Paul himself affirmed all Scripture is profitable.
Paul's Post-Resurrection Revelation
Les contrasts Jesus' pre-cross earthly ministry with Paul's revelation from the risen Lord in glory, making Paul's writings the place for church doctrine.
The Mystery Revealed to Paul
Les explains from Colossians 1 that the mystery of the church was hidden from all previous generations and revealed to Paul.
Ephesians 3:2: If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:
Paul states that the grace of God for this dispensation was given specifically to him for the believers.
Colossians 1:25: Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;
Paul describes the ministry and dispensation given to him for the sake of the believers.
Colossians 1:26: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
This verse identifies the mystery that was hidden but has now been revealed.
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:
Paul affirms that all Scripture is inspired and profitable, even while his letters carry the unique doctrines of grace.
No. Les says the rest of Scripture remains profitable and inspired. Paul himself writes that all Scripture is profitable, and Les uses the whole Bible, Genesis through Revelation, while emphasizing that the doctrines of grace are unique to Paul's letters.
Les teaches that Paul received everything he wrote from the Lord in glory, after the cross. This post-resurrection revelation is what makes Paul's writings the place where the meat of church doctrine lies.
The churches were established first, and then they needed doctrine, correction, and instruction. The Holy Spirit prompted Paul to write these letters so that the local churches would have proper foundation for their faith and practice.
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