Yes, Saul was chosen by God's sovereign grace as a vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles.
The Lord directly told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). Les emphasizes that this was a sovereign act of God who called Saul by grace—not because he deserved it—specifically to reveal His Son in him and preach Him among the heathen (Gentiles). Saul's commission as the apostle of the Gentiles was part of God's plan to turn from the nation of Israel and use one individual Jew.
Acts 9:15 — This is the most direct statement of Saul's calling to the Gentiles.
Galatians 1:15-16 — Paul himself confirms the purpose of his calling—to preach Christ among the Gentiles.
In Acts 9, the Lord told Ananias concerning Saul, '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: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.' This was a direct pronouncement that Saul's primary mission was to the Gentiles. In Galatians 1, Paul himself testifies that God, 'who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,' was pleased 'to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen.' The word 'heathen' in the King James Bible refers to all non-Jews, the Gentiles.
Les emphasizes that Saul's calling was entirely by God's sovereign grace, not based on merit. He points out that Saul was a zealous persecutor who 'didn't deserve it,' yet God separated him from his mother's womb and called him to reveal His Son in him for the purpose of preaching to the Gentiles. This was a radical departure from Israel's expectations; although the prophets had spoken of Israel being a light to the Gentiles, they never imagined God would go directly to the Gentiles in their generation. Instead of using the whole nation of Israel, God raised up one individual, Saul, as the apostle of the Gentiles.
Les teaches that Saul's whole purpose was to take the Gospel of Grace to the Gentiles. He was not to learn from the other apostles but was directly commissioned by Christ. As Les puts it, God brought Saul on the scene 'for the distinct purpose of taking the Gospel of Grace to the Gentiles,' though it would also 'spill over to some Jews' but not many.
Les points out that the Jews had no idea that God intended to go to the Gentiles directly. They knew the prophets spoke of Israel being a light to the Gentiles, but they did not expect it to happen in their generation. They had the same mentality as Jonah, who was reluctant to go to Nineveh. This is why God's command to Saul to go to the Gentiles was 'something unheard of in the Jewish culture.'
The Lord told Ananias, 'I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.' Les notes that this was indeed fulfilled, as Paul later rehearses the terrible things he endured in getting the Gospel to the Gentiles (2 Corinthians 11). Saul's suffering was part of his chosen vessel role.
Saul's Calling by Grace
Les teaches that Saul, like Israel at the Red Sea, had to depend solely on the blood of Christ—he could not do anything to earn salvation, and his calling was purely by grace.
Chosen Vessel
Les reads Acts 9:15, showing the Lord's declaration that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear God's name before the Gentiles.
Radical to Jewish Culture
Les emphasizes that the idea of going to the Gentiles was unheard of in Jewish culture, despite the prophets' words; they shared Jonah's reluctance.
Purpose to Preach to Heathen
Les explains that God called Saul to reveal His Son in him so that he might preach among the heathen (Gentiles)—his distinct purpose.
One Jew Instead of a Nation
Les contrasts Israel's failure with God raising up a single Jew, Saul, to be the apostle to the Gentiles, showing that God's plan continued despite Israel's stumble.
Suffering for the Name
Les notes that the Lord's promise to show Saul what he must suffer was fulfilled, as Paul endured many hardships for the sake of the Gentile mission.
Revelation vs. Instruction: How Paul Received the Gospel
And in verse 16, God says to Ananias, for I will show him, Saul, how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. Now then, if you'll drop down in that same chapter to verse 20, Acts 9, verse 20. This Saul of Tarsus, now recently recognizing who Jesus really is and was, he was the very God that he thought he was serving.
Chosen Before Blindness Lifted
Les highlights that the Lord told Ananias about Saul's chosen status even before Saul's blindness was removed, emphasizing the sovereign nature of the call.
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:
This verse is the direct pronouncement of Saul's divine commission to the Gentiles.
Acts 9:16: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
This verse indicates the cost associated with Saul's calling to the Gentiles.
Galatians 1:15: But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and called me by his grace,
Paul emphasizes that his calling was by grace, not merit, and from birth.
Galatians 1:16: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood:
Paul states the purpose of his calling—to preach Christ among the Gentiles.
Acts 22:21: And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.
Paul recounts his commissioning and the specific directive to go to the Gentiles.
No, Les emphasizes that Saul did not deserve it—he was a persecutor of the church. Yet God called him by His grace, showing that the selection was based on God's sovereign will, not human merit.
The Lord directly told Ananias that Saul was a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles. Les explains that this was a new program—God turned from using the nation of Israel as a whole to raising up one individual, Saul, to take the Gospel of Grace to the Gentile world.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Didn't Learn From Peter — Galatians Chapter 1 Explained