The foundation for salvation is Jesus Christ alone — no other foundation can be laid.
Paul states plainly in 1 Corinthians 3:11 that no other foundation can be laid than Jesus Christ. Les Feldick shows that Paul was the wise master builder who laid the foundation, but the foundation itself is Christ and His finished work of the cross. Faith in that finished work — Jesus Christ plus nothing — is what saves.
1 Corinthians 3:11 — Paul explicitly names Jesus Christ as the only foundation that can be laid for salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:10 — Paul describes himself as the wise masterbuilder who laid the foundation, setting the stage for verse 11.
Paul writes to the Corinthians: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. The very next verse shows that what is built on that foundation will be tested: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. Scripture also shows the believer's position in relation to Christ: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son (Colossians 1:13), and For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20).
Les makes it clear that Paul is not the basis of salvation. The foundation is Jesus Christ, as 1 Corinthians 3:11 states. Paul merely acted as the wise master builder or contractor; he laid out the foundation, but Christ is the foundation itself. Les stresses that the foundation is Christ crucified, buried, and risen from the dead, and that salvation is "Jesus Christ plus nothing" — faith in that finished work alone. Les also teaches that once the foundation is in place, every believer is involved in a building process and must take heed how he builds on it. This is where works come in — not the salvation end, but what is built after salvation. Finally, Les reminds believers that they are not saved merely as a fire escape; they are saved to serve, and their citizenship is in heaven.
Les says Paul called himself the wise master builder and claimed, "I have laid the foundation." But Paul does not claim to be anything but the contractor — he is merely carrying out what God has already established. The foundation is not Paul; it is Jesus Christ.
No. Les points out that there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. He calls the gospel "exclusivist" because it has to be Jesus Christ plus nothing. Anything short of the finished work of the cross leaves a person on shaky ground.
After the foundation is laid, Paul says every man must take heed how he builds. Les explains that Paul is not dealing with the salvation end of it here; he is dealing with the works part. Believers are God's building, and each one is responsible for what they build on the foundation of Christ.
Les points out that as members of the body of Christ we become members of the kingdom — God the Father translated us from darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son. Our citizenship is in heaven, and from there we look for the Savior, the head of the body, to one day take us to Himself.
Saved to Serve and Heavenly Citizenship
Les reminds believers that they are saved to serve — not just as a fire escape — and that their citizenship is now in heaven, which flows from the foundation of Christ.
Paul Not the Foundation; Jesus Is
Les clarifies that Paul is not the basis of salvation. The foundation is Jesus Christ in verse 11, and believers are part of building on that foundation.
The Foundation Is Christ's Finished Work
Les shows that unless faith rests on Christ crucified, buried, and risen, we are hopelessly lost; it is Jesus Christ plus nothing.
Paul Laid the Foundation
Les reads 1 Corinthians 3:10-11 and emphasizes that Paul laid the foundation as master builder, yet the only foundation is Jesus Christ.
Foundation of Christian Faith
Les says the finished work of the cross is the foundation for anyone going into eternity; anything short leaves shaky ground.
Foundation of Salvation Experience
Les explains that Christ is the foundation of our salvation experience and Christian life, and the passage deals with works, not salvation.
One and Only Foundation
Les states that Paul laid the foundation and Jesus Christ is the one and only foundation for what we believe.
Jesus Is the Foundation, Not Paul
Les describes Paul as only the contractor carrying out what God established; the foundation is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:10: According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
Paul explains that he laid the foundation by God's grace, but every man must be careful how he builds on it.
1 Corinthians 3:11: For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
This is the direct answer: Jesus Christ is the only foundation for salvation.
1 Corinthians 3:12: Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Shows that what is built on the foundation after salvation can vary in quality.
1 Corinthians 3:13: Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.
The works built on the foundation will be tested by fire.
Colossians 1:13: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Believers have been transferred into the kingdom of God's Son, the foundation of their position in Christ.
Philippians 3:20: For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ:
Our citizenship is in heaven, where the head of the body is.
Acts 4:12: Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
Confirms the exclusivity of salvation in Christ, which Les points to when he says there is no other name.
No. Les is clear that Paul is not the basis of salvation. Paul laid the foundation as a wise master builder, but the foundation itself is Jesus Christ — "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ" (1 Corinthians 3:11).
No. Les says the world calls this exclusivism, but there is no other name given among men whereby we must be saved. It is Jesus Christ plus nothing — faith in His finished work of the cross.
No. Works come after the foundation. Paul begins to discuss how believers build on the foundation, and Les says he is not dealing with the salvation end of it but with the works part.
Watch the Teaching: Will Your Works Burn? The Judgment Seat of Christ