Yes, Paul emphatically emphasizes his role as the apostle to the Gentiles because it was his unique, God-given calling, making his letters directly relevant to Gentile believers today.
Paul declares in Romans 11:13, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles," and he magnifies his office. Les Feldick teaches that this unique calling sets Paul apart from the twelve apostles, who were apostles to the Jews. Because of this, Paul's letters are written to us Gentiles and contain our basic doctrines.
Romans 11:13 — This is the verse where Paul explicitly states his role as the apostle of the Gentiles.
The Bible clearly records Paul's own declaration of his unique apostleship. In Romans 11:13, Paul writes, "For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office." This statement comes after three chapters where Paul has been discussing the nation of Israel, but he explicitly addresses his Gentile audience. This verse is a direct statement from Paul himself affirming his specific role.
Les Feldick emphasizes that Paul was uniquely called of God to be the apostle of the Gentiles, not one of many but THE apostle. He teaches that Paul's letters alone are written to the Church, and therefore they are directed to us today. Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship because people could readily accept the twelve apostles, but Paul's unique background as a former persecutor made it hard for some to accept his authority. Les also points out that Paul magnified his office, and that no one but Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled that role.
Knowing that Paul is the apostle to the Gentiles helps readers understand to whom his letters are written. As Les Feldick explains, all of Paul's writings are directed foremostly to us Gentiles, and as he wrote to those Gentile believers, he is writing to us today. This is crucial for proper Bible study, as one must always ask to whom a passage was written.
Les Feldick teaches that no one but Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled the role of the apostle of the Gentiles. Paul's background as a former persecutor of the church made his conversion and calling remarkable, and he had to constantly defend his apostleship because of that unique background. People had a hard time reconciling that this man, who was like a raging bull fighting against everything that spoke of Jesus of Nazareth, could now be an apostle.
In Romans 11:13, Paul says, "I magnify mine office." Les Feldick interprets this to mean that Paul would never take a back seat to anybody concerning his apostleship. It shows Paul's confidence in his God-given role and his determination to assert his authority as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? — 2 Corinthians 1 Explained
Hello and welcome to Through the Bible with Les Feldick. An Oklahoma rancher and farmer, Les Feldick has been teaching homestyle Bible classes for 20 years in Iowa, Oklahoma, and Texas. Les Feldick's unique style of Bible teaching has made the books of the Bible come to life. When Les is teaching, it's so interesting that people say time just seems to fly by. And now, here is Les Feldick.
Paul's Unique Commission
Les explains that God saved Paul out of Judaism and commissioned him to be the apostle of the Gentiles, quoting Romans 11:13, and that Paul's letters alone are written to the Church.
Magnifying His Office
Les highlights Paul's statement that he magnifies his office, showing that Paul never took a back seat regarding his apostleship, and that he always defended it.
The Rapture vs. The Second Coming — What's the Difference?
I race we know so well. I Corinthians chapter 15. Now remember the apostle Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles, and as the apostle of the Gentiles, all of his writings are directed foremostly to us Gentiles. He always writes of course to the believer.
Distinction from the Twelve
Les contrasts the twelve as apostles of the Jew with Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles, telling viewers not to lose sight of this distinction.
Paul's Unique Calling
Les emphasizes that Paul was uniquely called of God to be THE apostle of the Gentiles, not one of many, and that we must go to Paul for basic doctrines.
Highlighting Romans 11:13
Les calls Romans 11:13 one of the most important verses in Paul's epistles, stressing that even though Paul discussed Israel, his words were to Gentile believers.
Uniquely Suited for the Role
Les explains that only Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled the role of the apostle of the Gentiles, which is why Paul's background was unique.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
This is the key verse where Paul directly states his role as the apostle to the Gentiles.
Yes, Les Feldick teaches that the twelve were apostles to the Jew, but Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles. This is a unique calling given to him by God, and it is why his letters are directed to Gentile believers.
Paul had to defend his apostleship because people could readily understand the twelve apostles' position with Christ, but Paul's background as a former persecutor made it harder for some to accept his authority. Les explains that Paul's unique calling and background made him a target of doubt.
Watch the Teaching: Why Does God Let Bad Things Happen? — 2 Corinthians 1 Explained