The focus on Paul in Acts is explained by his unique calling as the apostle of the Gentiles, a role Les Feldick says is central to the book.
Les Feldick teaches that Saul of Tarsus was commissioned at his conversion to carry God's name before the Gentiles, and Acts marks that as the big turning point in the book. Paul identifies himself in Romans 11:13 as the apostle of the Gentiles, while Peter served as the apostle of the Jew. Les stresses that Paul's letters alone are written to the Church, making his calling central to understanding the second half of Acts.
Acts 9:15 — The Lord tells Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles — the moment Les Feldick calls the big turning point in Acts.
Romans 11:13 — Paul plainly states that he is the apostle of the Gentiles, explaining why Acts gives him such prominence.
In Acts 9:15, the Lord tells Ananias concerning Saul of Tarsus, "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel." This commission directly connects Saul's calling to the Gentile nations. 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." In Galatians 1:12 he explains that his gospel came "by the revelation of Jesus Christ," not from man. In Romans 1:1 he identifies himself as "a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God." These verses establish Paul's unique apostolic role apart from the Twelve.
Les Feldick teaches that the focus on Paul in Acts is tied to his unique calling as the apostle of the Gentiles. In Clip 4, Les points to Acts 9:15 as the big turning point in the Book of Acts because, up to that moment, everything had been Jewish — now Saul of Tarsus is sent to bear God's name before the Gentiles. Les emphasizes that Paul was not one of the Twelve and was totally separated from them (Clip 5). Les repeatedly shows the distinction between Peter and Paul: Peter was the apostle of the Jew, and Paul is the apostle of the Gentile (Clip 5; Clip 7). He also stresses that Paul's letters and Paul's letters alone are written to the Church (Clip 1). Les notes that no one but Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled this role, given his unique background (Clip 2), and that Paul was commissioned right away at his conversion when God told Ananias he would be sent far hence to the Gentiles (Clip 6). Paul is not one of many apostles of the Gentiles, but THE apostle to whom believers must go for basic doctrines (Clip 3).
Les Feldick points to Romans 11:13 where Paul says, "I am the apostle of the Gentiles." He emphasizes that Paul is not one of many but THE apostle of the Gentiles, the one to whom believers must go for basic doctrines (Clip 3). Les also notes that Paul's letters and his letters alone are written to the Church (Clip 1).
Les Feldick uses the distinction between Peter and Paul to explain why Paul receives so much attention. He says Peter was the apostle of the Jew, while Paul is the apostle of the Gentile, and that Paul separates himself by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in Galatians 1 (Clip 5). Les further points out that before Paul's conversion, everything from Genesis 12 on was directed primarily, if not exclusively, to the Jew (Clip 6). This makes Paul's Gentile apostleship a new and significant development.
According to Les Feldick, the turning point in the Book of Acts comes in Acts 9 when Ananias is told that Saul of Tarsus is a chosen vessel to bear God's name before the Gentiles. Les says, "Here is the big turning point in the Book of Acts" (Clip 4). Paul was commissioned right away at his conversion to go to the Gentiles (Clip 6). This shift explains the book's later emphasis on Paul's ministry to Gentile cities.
Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 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 Apostolic Role
Les Feldick teaches that Paul alone is the apostle of the Gentiles in the written Scriptures, and that Paul's letters and Paul's letters alone are written to the Church.
Paul's Unique Calling
Les Feldick explains that no one but Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled the role of apostle of the Gentiles because of his unique background and calling.
The Apostle, Not One of Many
Les Feldick teaches that Paul is not one of many apostles of the Gentiles, but THE apostle, and that believers must go to Paul for basic doctrines.
The Turning Point in Acts
Les Feldick identifies Acts 9:15 as the big turning point in the Book of Acts because Saul is called to bear God's name before the Gentiles — a shift from the previous Jewish focus.
Peter for the Jew, Paul for the Gentile
Les Feldick explains that Peter was the apostle of the Jew and Paul the apostle of the Gentile, and that Paul's separation from the Twelve is confirmed in Galatians 1.
Commissioned at Conversion
Les Feldick teaches that Paul was commissioned at his conversion on the Damascus road, when God told Ananias that Saul would go to the Gentiles.
The Twelve vs. Paul
Les Feldick reminds his audience that while the Twelve were apostles of the Jew, Paul is the apostle of the Gentiles — a distinction he says should never be lost.
Acts 9:15: But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
The Lord tells Ananias that Saul is a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles — the key moment that sets Paul's ministry in motion.
Romans 11:13: For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:
Paul states his own role as apostle of the Gentiles, explaining why his ministry dominates the latter part of Acts.
Galatians 1:12: For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul's gospel came by direct revelation, separating his apostleship from the Twelve who ministered to Jews.
Romans 1:1: Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
Paul opens his letter by identifying himself as an apostle separated unto the gospel of God.
No. Les Feldick notes that Saul of Tarsus was an enemy of the believers before his conversion and that he is totally separated from the Twelve. Paul's apostleship to the Gentiles was distinct from Peter's ministry to the Jews.
Les Feldick says no one but Saul of Tarsus could have fulfilled the role of apostle of the Gentiles; everything about his unique background fits God's purpose. At his conversion, God told Ananias that Paul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's letters and his letters alone are written to the Church. He also says Paul is the one to whom believers must go for basic doctrines.
Watch the Teaching: Why Did Ananias & Sapphira Die? Acts 5 Explained