Yes, knowing Christ after the resurrection means understanding and believing in His death, burial, and resurrection as the completed gospel, which is essential for salvation.
Les Feldick teaches that while Christ's earthly ministry is good to know, it is not sufficient for salvation. The crucial focus must be on the cross and resurrection, which form the complete gospel. Paul emphasizes that henceforth we know Christ no longer after the flesh but as the resurrected Lord, and without this belief, there is no salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:16 — This verse directly explains that believers no longer know Christ after the flesh after His death and resurrection.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15 (KJV) states: 'For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.' This shows the gospel includes both His death and resurrection. Also, 2 Corinthians 5:16 (KJV) says: 'Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.' This indicates a change in how Christ is known after the cross.
Les emphasizes that knowing Christ after the resurrection means focusing on His completed work—His death, burial, and resurrection—rather than merely His earthly ministry. He illustrates this from 2 Corinthians 5, where Paul says we no longer know Christ after the flesh. Les points out that while the earthly ministry is good to know, it is not what saves; salvation requires belief in the resurrected Christ who died for our sins.
Les explains that the earthly ministry—His miracles, teachings, and life—only proves who He is but doesn't address the sinner's need. The gospel centers on His death and resurrection, which alone provide salvation.
Paul, having lived contemporary with Jesus, knew Him during His earthly ministry, but after the resurrection, he no longer knew Him in that way. Les teaches that we are to know Christ as the glorified Lord, the resurrected One who died for our sins.
Knowing the risen Christ brings a decisive change: believers are cut off from their former life, freed from Satan's shackles, and set apart for God. Though hardship may tempt them to long for the past, that is Satan's appeal to the flesh and should be rejected.
Freedom from Satan's Web
Les connects the believer's deliverance to the Exodus, showing that as Israel was freed from Egypt, believers are freed from Satan's shackles through the power of God, and should not long for their former bondage.
Earthly Ministry Not Required for Salvation
Les teaches that while knowing about Christ's earthly life is good, it is not what is required for salvation; the essential belief is in His death and resurrection.
Knowing Christ After the Cross
Les explains that since the cross, we know the resurrected Christ, not just the earthly Jesus; Paul himself had known Christ after the flesh but no longer does.
Resurrected Christ Is the Object of Faith
Les emphasizes that after His resurrection, Christ is the glorified Lord, and we know Him as the One who died for our sin; merely believing in His good life saves no one.
Focus on the Cross, Not Earthly Ministry
Les stresses that we are not to be overly concerned with Christ's earthly ministry but with His work on the cross, which is where everything comes to a head.
Resurrection Is Essential
Les points out that if someone has a problem with the resurrection, they have no basis for salvation, as it was God's power that raised Him and declared Him the Son of God.
Resurrection Fundamental to Faith
Les shows that living with Christ is tied to our identification with His crucifixion, and the resurrection is fundamental to our faith.
No Resurrection, No Salvation
Les warns that without believing in the resurrection, there is no salvation, as it took the power of the resurrection to transform the disciples.
2 Corinthians 5:14: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Shows Christ died for all, indicating total spiritual death and the universal need for salvation.
2 Corinthians 5:15: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Connects His death and resurrection as the gospel message that believers are to live for Him.
2 Corinthians 5:16: Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
Indicates the change in how we know Christ after His resurrection—no longer as merely the earthly Jesus.
No. Les Feldick teaches that while the earthly ministry is good to know, it is not sufficient. Salvation requires believing that Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead.
It refers to knowing Him from His earthly ministry, as He lived on earth. After the resurrection, we are to know Him as the glorified Lord who died and rose again.
Watch the Teaching: The 3-Day Journey: How Exodus Foreshadows the Resurrection of Christ