Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—specifically the blood of Christ—makes the difference.
Ephesians 2 shows that Gentile forefathers were once without Christ, without hope, and without God in the world. But now, in Christ Jesus, those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. This change came through the finished work of the cross, not by entering Israel's former covenants.
Ephesians 2:13 — It directly answers the question: those who were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Ephesians 2:12 — It describes the former condition of Gentiles that the blood of Christ changed.
Romans 3:22-23 — It shows that Jew and Gentile are now on the same footing because all have sinned.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — It defines the gospel through which believing Gentiles are saved.
In Ephesians 2:12-13, Paul writes to Gentile believers: "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." Then verse 13 says, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Scripture's answer is clear: the blood of Christ changes the Gentile's standing before God. Romans 3:22-23 removes any distinction before God: "Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." The gospel that saves both Jew and Gentile is stated in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4: "Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
Les Feldick teaches that Ephesians 2 is the key passage explaining the change for Gentiles. "At that time" refers to the pre-Christian era, before the revelations especially given to the apostle Paul. In that era, Gentile forefathers were outside Israel—without Christ, aliens, strangers to the covenants, without hope, and without God. Les emphasizes that the word "now" in Ephesians 2:13 marks the change: God is now dealing with Gentiles on the basis of the finished work of the cross. They are made nigh by the blood of Christ, not by joining Israel's old covenants. Les also stresses that faith and shed blood are the only two premises that can deal with old Adam. He simplifies the gospel: "Christ died for your sins, and He was buried, and He rose from the dead. Believe it." After His death, burial, and resurrection, Christ became the object of faith for the whole human race—Jew and Gentile alike—and believing Gentiles become joint heirs with Him.
Before the revelations given especially to Paul, Gentile forefathers were, as Paul writes, "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). They were steeped in paganism and had no knowledge of the God of Abraham. Les says this was the state of our forefathers back in the pre-Christian era.
Ephesians 2:13 says, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." Les points out that this refers to the crucifixion. The change did not happen because Gentiles entered Israel's covenants; it happened because of Christ's finished work on the cross. In Les's words, "Without faith, it's impossible to please God, and without the shedding of blood, there is no way you can have remission of sin."
Scripture says, "there is no difference: For all have sinned" (Romans 3:22-23). The law-keeping Jew and the Gentile are both sinners. Les explains that God has now turned to the Gentiles apart from Israel, and as Paul told the pagan jailer, the response is to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." The gospel to believe is that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). This same gospel is for Jew and Gentile alike; after His resurrection, Christ became the object of faith for the whole human race.
Gentiles before Paul's revelations
Before the revelations given especially to Paul, Gentile forefathers were without Christ, aliens from Israel's commonwealth, strangers from the covenants of promise, without hope, and without God.
Made nigh by the blood
The difference for Gentiles is the blood of Christ; faith and shed blood are the only way to deal with old Adam.
No difference—all have sinned
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile because all have sinned and must be saved by faith in the gospel.
The simple gospel for Gentiles
God has turned to the Gentiles apart from Israel, and the Gentile's only response is to believe that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again.
The cross opens salvation to the whole human race
Christ was not an object of faith for Gentiles until after His death, burial, and resurrection; afterward the gospel goes to the whole human race.
Jew and Gentile: no difference
Paul taught there is now no difference between Jew and Gentile because all have sinned.
Gentile joint heirs through the finished work
Gentiles, as well as Jews, can be saved by believing on the finished work of the cross and become joint heirs with Christ for eternity.
Far off made nigh by Christ's blood
The Gentile is no longer in the old position; those who were far off are now made nigh by the blood of Christ, and God revealed this in His own timing.
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 describes the former condition of Gentile forefathers that Christ's work changed.
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 central verse: the blood of Christ makes the difference for Gentiles.
Romans 3:22-23: Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
This shows that Jew and Gentile stand in the same need of salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4: For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
This is the gospel that must be believed for a Gentile to be saved.
According to Paul's teaching in Ephesians 2, Gentiles were aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise. Because the hopes of salvation were wrapped up in those covenants, Gentiles had no connection to them and were left without hope and without God. Les says this was the situation of our Gentile forefathers in the pre-Christian era.
The blood of Christ changes it. Ephesians 2:13 says, "But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ." This refers to the crucifixion and the finished work of the cross. It is not through joining Israel's covenants, but through believing that Christ died for sins, was buried, and rose again.
Les teaches that the response is simply to believe. Paul told the pagan jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." The gospel is that Christ died for your sins, was buried, and rose from the dead. Nothing else is required.
Watch the Teaching: The Abrahamic Covenant: Why God Chose Israel & What It Means For Us