Gentiles are brought near to God through the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:13 says those who were once far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Les Feldick explains that this refers to the crucifixion—the finished work of the cross—and not to the Law, the covenants, or coming under Judaism. Israel's rejection of the Messiah opened the way for this gospel of grace to go out to the Gentile world.
Ephesians 2:13 — This verse directly answers the question by stating that Gentiles who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:12 — It establishes the former condition of Gentiles that the blood of Christ changed.
Before Christ, Scripture describes Gentiles as being "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). This is the "far off" condition that Ephesians 2:13 addresses. "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ" (Ephesians 2:13). Scripture does not say this nearness comes through the Law, through the covenants, or through becoming part of the nation of Israel. It places the entire basis on the blood of Christ.
Les Feldick teaches that the Gentile's former condition was completely outside the covenants and citizenship of Israel—without hope and without God. The Gentile is no longer in that position because of the blood of Christ, which refers to the finished work of the crucifixion. Being "made nigh" is not accomplished by entering a covenant relationship or coming under Judaism; it is by the blood of Christ alone. Les also connects this to Israel's rejection of her King and Messiah, after which God turned to the Gentiles with a gospel of grace that is free, without works, religion, ritual, or priesthood. He presents Jonah's three days and three nights in the fish as a type of Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, after which the gospel could go out to the Gentiles.
Scripture says Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:12). Les Feldick adds that from Genesis 12 almost all the way to the apostle Paul, practically no Gentiles had access to salvation; exceptions were Nineveh, Ruth, and Rahab.
Les teaches that this refers to the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross. It is not a matter of entering a covenant relationship or coming under Judaism. The Gentile is made nigh by the blood of Christ alone.
Les compares Jonah's three days and three nights in the great fish to Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and notes that Jesus Himself referred to the account. This typifies the basis on which the gospel could go out to the Gentiles.
Because Israel rejected her King, her Messiah, and her Redeemer, God turned to the Gentiles in grace. This gospel came without works, without religion, without ritual, and without a priesthood—it simply had to be believed.
Les teaches that the playing field is now level. The Jew has no advantage over the Gentile, and the Gentile has no advantage over the Jew. Both are saved the same way—by believing the gospel that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again.
Jonah as a Picture of Christ's Death and Burial
Les presents Jonah's three days and three nights in the great fish as a type of Christ's death and burial, noting that Jesus Himself referred to the account.
Made Nigh by the Blood
Les directly applies Ephesians 2:13, teaching that Gentiles who were far off are made nigh by the blood, on the basis of the finished work of the cross.
The Blood of Christ Refers to the Crucifixion
Les states plainly that being made nigh by the blood of Christ refers to the crucifixion—the completed work of the cross.
Gentile Access Before Paul Was Practically Nonexistent
Les explains that for most of biblical history Gentiles had practically no access to salvation, with exceptions such as Nineveh, Ruth, and Rahab.
God Turned to the Gentiles; Believe the Gospel
Les shows that after Israel was set aside, the Gentile jailer was told simply to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ—the gospel that Christ died, was buried, and rose again.
Israel's Rejection Brought Grace to the Gentiles
Les teaches that Israel's rejection of her King and Messiah opened heaven's door for the Gentiles to receive a free gospel of grace.
Made Nigh by Blood, Not Judaism
Les emphasizes that Gentiles are made nigh by the blood of Christ, not by coming into a covenant relationship or under Judaism.
Old Testament Gentile Status and the New Level Playing Field
Les contrasts the Old Testament Gentile condition with the present: strangers and without hope then, but now on a level playing field with Jews.
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 verse establishes the 'far off' condition that the blood of Christ later changes.
Ephesians 2:13: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
This is the key verse answering how Gentiles are brought near to God.
Jonah 1:17: Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Les uses this account to typify Christ's death and burial before the gospel could reach the Gentiles.
It means that through Christ's crucifixion and finished work on the cross, Gentiles who were once far off are brought near to God. Les is clear this is not through the Law, covenants, or Judaism, but through the blood of Christ alone.
Les says there were exceptions—Nineveh, Ruth, and Rahab—but from Genesis 12 almost until Paul, practically no Gentiles had access to salvation. The normal condition of Gentiles was to be outside the covenants, without hope and without God.
Les teaches that because Israel rejected her King, Messiah, and Redeemer, God turned to the Gentiles with a gospel of grace—free, without works or ritual, and simply to be believed.
Watch the Teaching: Why Jesus Told His Disciples: Don't Go to Gentiles