Yes — Paul is considered the apostle of the Gentiles because he explicitly identifies himself that way in Romans 11:13.
In Romans 11:13 Paul declares, 'For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.' Les Feldick teaches that Paul was not one of several Gentile apostles, but THE apostle to the Gentiles, unique among the writers of Scripture. The Twelve were apostles to Israel; Paul was God's designated apostle to carry salvation to the Gentiles. He repeatedly defended this apostleship because it was a divinely appointed role.
Romans 11:13 — This is the verse where Paul directly calls himself 'the apostle of the Gentiles,' making it the foundational proof of his role.
In Romans 11, Paul is writing to believers at Rome and interrupts his discussion of Israel to address his Gentile readers directly. He says, 'For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office' (Romans 11:13). The Scripture therefore records Paul's own claim to be the apostle to the Gentiles. This is not a title given to him by other men or by the twelve apostles; it is something Paul states about himself under inspiration. The same verse also shows that he intentionally magnifies or honors that office, which is part of why he is identified that way.
Les Feldick regularly points to Romans 11:13 as the plain statement that sets Paul apart. Les says Paul was 'uniquely called of God to be the Apostle of the Gentiles. Not one of many, but he is THE Apostle.' He emphasizes that the Twelve were apostles of the Jew, while Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles. Les also observes that Paul does not share his apostleship with anyone else: when it came to going to the Gentiles, Paul was the apostle, and he was not one of the Twelve because they went to Israel. While other men such as Barnabas and Silas were recognized as apostles in that period, so far as the writing of this Book is concerned there is only one apostle of the Gentiles, and Paul's letters alone are written to the Church. Les explains that Paul had to constantly defend his apostleship because he had not walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry like Peter, James, and John, and people accused him of being an imposter. Les says he makes no apology for making much of Paul, because God designated Paul to take salvation to the Gentiles.
The verse reads: 'For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.' Paul is directly addressing Gentile believers and plainly states his own office. This is the biblical anchor for the title.
Les Feldick teaches that the twelve apostles were sent to Israel, while Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles. Paul was not one of the Twelve because they went to Israel. This explains why he so often had to defend his apostleship: people could readily recognize the Twelve's position since they had walked with Christ, but Paul was a newcomer who had once persecuted the church. The Bible itself shows Paul asserting his unique place in Romans 11:13.
Les Feldick points out that God designed Paul to take salvation to the Gentiles, so Gentile believers benefit directly from Paul's ministry. Paul magnified his office and never took a back seat concerning his apostleship. Les also says Paul's letters alone are written to the Church, which makes his unique role important for understanding New Testament truth.
Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles
The government of Israel tonight is frantically seeking to be accepted by the Gentile world. They want their economy to just mesh with the European common market, they want to be out there competing with the Gentile nations of the world, and God says, no you're not. You are a separated people, and they haven't learned their lesson.
Only Paul is the Gentile apostle in Scripture
Les emphasizes that Romans 11:13 says plainly, 'I am the apostle of the Gentiles' — although other men were recognized as apostles, so far as the writing of this Book is concerned, only Paul holds that title, and his letters alone are written to the Church.
The Twelve were apostles of the Jew
Les contrasts the Twelve with Paul: the twelve were apostles of the Jew, but Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles; believers are told not to lose sight of that.
THE apostle, not one of many
Les teaches that Paul was uniquely called of God to be the apostle of the Gentiles — not one of many but THE apostle, the one to whom we must go for basic doctrines.
Paul does not share his Gentile apostleship
Les reads Romans 11:13 to show that Paul, when addressing the Gentiles, does not share his apostleship with anyone; he was not one of the Twelve because they went to Israel, and he magnified his office.
Never a back seat concerning his apostleship
Les notes Paul magnifies his office and never takes a back seat concerning his apostleship; Paul always has to defend it because people understand the Twelve but not Paul.
Apostleship belonging to the Gentiles
Les reminds the reader that Paul had a heart for Israel but was not the apostle to Israel as Peter was; his apostleship is to the Gentiles, and he never shrank from that responsibility.
God's designated apostle to the Gentiles
Les explains that God designated Paul to take salvation to the Gentiles, and Paul had to keep insisting 'I AM an apostle' because he had not walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry as the Twelve had.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul himself directly claims the title 'apostle of the Gentiles' in this verse.
Yes. Romans 11:13 records Paul saying, 'For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office.' This is the clearest scriptural statement of his role.
Because he had not walked with Jesus during His earthly ministry like Peter, James, and John, so people accused him of being an imposter or heretic. Les Feldick says Paul had to constantly write and say, 'But I AM an Apostle; I AM the one who has received all these revelations.'
Les Feldick teaches that while other men such as Barnabas and Silas were recognized as apostles in that period, so far as the writing of the Bible is concerned, only Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles.
Watch the Teaching: Why Israel's Fall Opened Heaven's Door for the Gentiles