Yes — Gentiles are brought near to God by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 says those who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les Feldick teaches that this nearness is not through the Law, covenant relationship, or coming under Judaism, but through the finished work of the cross. Before Christ, Gentiles were without hope and without God because God was dealing with Israel.
Ephesians 2:13 — This verse directly answers the question: those once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Paul addresses Gentile believers directly in Ephesians 2 and tells them to remember their former condition. He writes, "Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands" (Ephesians 2:11). He then describes their previous state: "That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). The change is announced in the next verse: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13).
Les repeatedly points to Ephesians 2:11-13 to show that while God was dealing with the nation of Israel, Gentiles were outside the covenant promises and without hope. He says that condition ended: in Christ Jesus those who were far off have been made nigh by the blood of Christ, referring to the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross. Les emphasizes that this nearness is not by the Law, not by entering a covenant relationship, and not by coming under Judaism — it is by the blood of Christ alone. He also explains that when Israel rejected the promises, God set Israel aside temporarily and turned to the Gentiles in grace, so now in Christ there is no difference.
Paul writes to Gentile believers and tells them to remember that in time past they were "Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands" (Ephesians 2:11). At that time, while God was dealing only with the nation of Israel on covenant promises, Gentiles were "without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). Les says they were outside the citizenship of Israel, outside the covenants, and without hope.
Ephesians 2:13 states plainly: "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Les explains this refers to the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross. The Gentile is no longer in the far-off position; in Christ Jesus those who were at one time far off are now made nigh to God.
Les says Gentiles are not made nigh by coming into a covenant relationship and not by coming under Judaism. It is by the blood of Christ. The Law and the covenant promises were what God was using while He was dealing with Israel; they were not the means by which far-off Gentiles were brought near. The finished work of the cross changed the situation.
Les teaches that after Israel refused and rejected the covenant promises, God set Israel aside temporarily and turned to the Gentile in grace. He points out that in the book of Acts Peter was still on Jewish ground and everything was still on the promises made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, but Paul writes to us Gentiles in Ephesians. Until that Gentile program was announced, we have to stay back in the Jewish context.
Gentiles in the Flesh in Time Past
Les identifies Ephesians 2:11-13 as Paul's message to Gentile believers, beginning with their former status as "Gentiles in the flesh."
Made Nigh by the Blood of Christ
Those once far off — outside covenants, citizenship of Israel, without hope and without God — are now made nigh by the blood of Christ, referring to the crucifixion.
Not by Covenants, but by the Blood
Les emphasizes that nearness does not come by entering a covenant relationship or coming under Judaism; it comes by the blood of Christ because of the finished work of the cross.
The Blood Alone
Based on the finished work of the cross, God is dealing with Gentiles; they are made nigh by the blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin.
Not by Law, but by the Cross
Israel rejected the promises and was set aside; now the Gentiles who were far off are made nigh to God not by the Law nor by covenants, but by the blood of Christ.
From No Hope to Glorious Hope
Gentiles were strangers to the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God because God was dealing with Israel; now Ephesians 2:13 gives glorious hope: made nigh by the blood of Christ.
When God Was Dealing Only with Israel
At that time — when God was dealing only with the nation of Israel — Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants.
The Lot of the Gentile Changed
Les reminds us that Gentiles were strangers, without hope, and without God; but now God has reached the point that there is no difference.
Ephesians 2:11: Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
This verse sets the context: Paul is speaking to Gentiles and reminding them of their former identity.
Ephesians 2:12: That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
This describes the former condition of Gentiles while God was dealing with Israel.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This directly answers the question: nearness to God comes through the blood of Christ.
According to Ephesians 2:13, those who were sometimes far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les Feldick stresses that this is not through the Law, a covenant relationship, or Judaism, but through the finished work of the cross.
Scripture says they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world. Les explains this was because God was dealing only with the nation of Israel at that time.
No. Les says they were made nigh not by coming into a covenant relationship and not by coming under Judaism, but by the blood of Christ. The finished work of the cross is what makes the difference.
The change happened in Christ Jesus when His blood was shed at the crucifixion. Les says the blood of Christ in Ephesians 2:13 refers to the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross.
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