Yes, Gentiles can be saved without following Jewish laws.
Based on the evidence from the clips, Les Feldick teaches that Gentiles are saved by grace, not by keeping the Law of Moses or being circumcised. The controversy in Acts 15 arose when certain believing Pharisees insisted that Gentiles must keep the Law, but Peter's experience at Cornelius's house revealed that God saves Gentiles directly, and Paul defended this grace message.
Acts 15:1 — This verse records the claim that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved, directly addressing the question.
Acts 15:5 — This verse shows the source of the controversy: believing Pharisees insisting on circumcision and the law.
In Acts 15, certain men came from Judea to Antioch and taught the Gentile believers, 'Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved' (Acts 15:1). Later, 'there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses' (Acts 15:5). However, after Peter recounted his visit to Cornelius's household, the council listened to Paul and Barnabas declare 'what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them' (Acts 15:12). The Scripture does not record that the Law was required for Gentile salvation.
Les Feldick explains that the Jerusalem church was still based on the law and circumcision, so when Gentiles were saved at Antioch, it caused a major controversy. Certain believing Pharisees insisted that Gentiles needed circumcision and to keep the Law of Moses to be saved. Paul firmly rejected this, teaching that Gentiles are saved by grace through his gospel, not by the Law. Peter eventually came to Paul's defense, recalling that God had shown him at Cornelius's house that He saves Gentiles without requiring them to become proselytes to Judaism. This incident underscores that Israel's spiritual blindness is temporary and will last until the fullness of the Gentiles is brought in, which is the Body of Christ.
The controversy revolved around whether Gentile believers had to be circumcised and keep the Law of Moses to be saved. Certain Jews from Judea went to Antioch and taught, 'Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.' Paul and Barnabas disputed this strongly, and the matter was brought to the apostles and elders in Jerusalem to resolve.
Peter recalled that God had sent him to the house of Cornelius, where God saved Gentiles apart from them becoming proselytes to Judaism. This personal experience opened his eyes to the fact that God can save Gentiles directly, and he came to Paul's defense in the Jerusalem council.
Peter's message was initially directed to Jews, still under the law and circumcision. Paul's gospel was separate, revealed to him for Gentiles, based on grace without the Law. Les points out that even fourteen years after his conversion, Paul went to Jerusalem because the Jewish believers were upset about his ministry to Gentiles.
Israel's Temporary Blindness
Les explains that God has temporarily blinded Israel so that the gospel of grace can go to the Gentiles, and this blindness will lift one day.
The Jerusalem Church's Law-Based Teaching
Les describes how the Jerusalem church was still rooted in law and circumcision, and they insisted that Gentile believers needed to keep the Law of Moses, prompting Paul to defend salvation by grace.
The Mentality of Jewish Believers
Les shows that even years after Pentecost, Jewish believers were not aware that God would save Gentiles, as seen in the law-keeping actions of Ananias.
Paul's Defense Before the Apostles
Les explains that Paul insisted Gentiles do not have to keep the Law of Moses, despite the demands of believing Pharisees in Jerusalem.
Peter's Defense of Paul
Les describes Peter coming to Paul's defense, recalling his vision at Cornelius's house where God saved Gentiles apart from Jewish proselyte conversion.
The Argument in Acts 15
Les narrates the dissension in Acts 15 over circumcision and the Law, showing that the Jewish believers in Jerusalem were upset about Paul's Gentile ministry.
Peter's Testimony at the Jerusalem Council
Les notes that Peter waited years before acknowledging that God uses Paul's gospel to save Gentiles, but his testimony ultimately vindicated Paul.
The Message Denying Circumcision
Les emphasizes that the men from Judea taught that 'except you be circumcised... you cannot be saved,' prompting the need for clarification.
Acts 15:1: And certain men which came down from Judaea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved.
This verse introduces the false teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation.
Acts 15:5: But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
This verse shows the source of the controversy: believing Pharisees demanded the Law and circumcision.
Acts 15:12: Then all the multitude kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them.
This verse shows the council listening to the evidence of God's work among Gentiles.
No, according to Les Feldick. In Acts 15, certain Jewish believers insisted on circumcision, but Peter and Paul affirmed that God saves Gentiles without requiring circumcision or keeping the Law of Moses.
Based on the evidence, the council listened to Paul and Barnabas testify of God's miracles among the Gentiles. Peter's testimony about Cornelius reminded them that God had already saved Gentiles apart from Judaism, leading them to accept Paul's ministry.
Les Feldick teaches that Paul's gospel of grace is for Gentiles, and they are not under the Law of Moses. The law was a part of Israel's program, not the Gentile's.
Watch the Teaching: Israel's Blindness & the Fullness of the Gentiles — Romans 11:25