Prophecy foretells that Jews are a distinct nation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation (ex.19:5–6) called of God for the purpose of showing forth His glory and being the light and salvation of the Gentiles (Isa.60:1–3). With this in mind, the earthly ministry of Jesus was directed to Jews ONLY (Matt.10:5–6; Matt.15:24) to save them and bring them lift them up to that place of preeminence, that they might fulfil prophecy and be that light and salvation to the Gentiles. Jesus was a minister of the circumcision (Jews) (Rom.15:8) and preached according to the law and according to prophecy (Gal.4:4–5). The gospel Jesus taught was concerning the prophesied earthly Millennial Kingdom, which was a hand, and thus He called for Jews to repent and prepare for the inheritance of this Kingdom in which He would be King.
This ministry of Jesus is in stark contrast to the ministry of Paul who was called by the glorified Christ for a very different purpose. Paul was to go to a different audience (the Gentiles, Rom.11:13), with a whole new message (of grace through the cross, 2Cor.5:16–17), proclaiming a different inheritance (of heaven, Eph.1:3, Eph.2:6, 2Tim.4:18) containing different criteria (grace without works, Eph 2:8–9).
With all these differences between the ministry of Jesus and Paul, it should not come by surprise that the content of their message contradicts. Almost everything about Paul’s calling is different from the ministry of Jesus. This should not however be concerning to the bible student as the bible makes it clear that the redemption plan of God contains two parts, each designed by His doing to restore the corruption in the two realms of creation; Israel for the earth, and the Body of Christ for the heavens (Eph.1:10; Col.1:20).
According to your question, it is correct that Christians today quote Paul and follow his example in life and doctrine (1Co.4:16; 1Co.11:1; Php.3:17), because Paul has been chosen by the risen Lord Jesus Christ to be the apostle (spokesperson) for the Body of Christ. In the 13-epistles of Paul, given him by revelation and inspiration, is the doctrine that we ought to be learning, applying, and following today (1Cor.14:37–38). If Christians place themselves under the teachings of law and prophecy, they are living a false doctrine that is not according to the values and principles of God today. This is why Paul says that we know not Christ after the flesh (His earthly ministry) and that we must acknowledge that the doctrine given to Paul is the new format to live (Eph.3:1–9).
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