Among the apostles, the Lord assigned to Paul a special role: ambassador to the Gentiles (non-Jews). When Paul was still called Saul, He led Jewish opposition to Christianity, which was then called “the Way” (Acts 9:1-2). While travelling to Antioch to persecute Christians there, the Lord Jesus appeared to Saul and instructed him to wait in Antioch. After three days, the Lord sent His disciple Ananias to Saul. When Ananias hesitated, the Lord explained His purpose for Saul as a Christian.
But the Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine to carry My name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel” (Acts 9:15).
The Holy Spirit sent Paul and Barnabas on the first targeted mission to Gentile lands (Acts 13:1-4). Where possible, they began by speaking to Jews, but they soon shared the Gospel with the Gentiles also. Paul also wrote letters to Gentile Christians, often reminding them of his special mission.
Paul and Barnabas soon shared the Gospel with Gentiles.
I am speaking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle to the Gentiles. … Grace [was] given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God (Romans 11:13; 15:15-16).
[God] was pleased to reveal His Son to me, in order that I might preach Him among the Gentiles. … [James, Peter and John] gave the right hand of fellowship to Barnabas and me, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised [the Jews] (Galatians 1:16; 2:9).