Gentiles were spiritually disadvantaged: without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers to God's covenants, having no hope and without God.
According to Ephesians 2:12, before the age of grace, 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. Les Feldick emphasizes this was the condition of Gentile forefathers while God dealt primarily with Israel.
Ephesians 2:12 — This verse explicitly describes the former status of Gentiles before Christ.
Ephesians 2:12 (KJV) states: "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 directly addresses the status of Gentiles before the age of grace. It indicates that they were not part of Israel's commonwealth, had no share in the covenants of promise, and were characterized as having no hope and being without God.
Les Feldick repeatedly teaches that during the Old Testament period and even during Christ's earthly ministry, God dealt specifically with Israel, the covenant people. Gentiles were outsiders, having no part in the covenants or promises given to Israel. He stresses that they were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, strangers to the covenants, and without God in the world. This condition persisted until the age of grace began with the Apostle Paul, after which the barrier was removed in Christ.
Les Feldick explains that before the age of grace, Gentiles were 'without Christ,' meaning they had no relationship with the Messiah who was promised to Israel. The Jews had the covenants and the promises, but the Gentiles were excluded from these blessings. They had no hope because they were outside the sphere of God's special dealings with Israel.
Les Feldick emphasizes that being 'aliens from the commonwealth of Israel' meant that Gentiles had no citizenship rights in Israel. As a foreigner has no rights in a government he is not part of, so Gentiles had no claim to the blessings God gave to Israel. They were outsiders, not part of the chosen nation.
Les Feldick teaches that the covenants of promise were given to the Jews, starting with Abraham and repeated to Isaac and Jacob. Gentiles had no part in these covenants. They were strangers to these promises because God's covenantal dealings were with Israel, not with the nations.
Les Feldick explains that because Gentiles were outside of God's covenant relationship with Israel, they had no hope of salvation and were without God in the world. This led to their pagan condition. However, he clarifies that God was always fair and just, and this situation was temporary, as it was about to change with the coming of Paul and the age of grace.
Les Feldick notes that although the Old Testament period was one of separation, the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ brought a change. While he does not elaborate fully in these clips, he indicates that the status of Gentiles would soon change, as they would be brought into the blessings of salvation through faith in Christ.
Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works
what? The gift of God. Now, for a true gift, how much do you work? Nothing. There's nothing you can do, because as soon as you work to pay somebody for giving you a gift, it's no longer a gift, see? It becomes payment for something. And so salvation is a gift. We cannot work for it. Now, we can work after it, and we're going to see that, but you can't work for it.
Gentiles' Condition
Les explicitly states that before Christ, Gentiles were without Christ, aliens from Israel, strangers to covenants, having no hope and without God.
Gentiles' Condition
He reiterates the same list from Ephesians 2:12, applying it to Gentile forefathers.
Gentiles as Aliens
Les explains that being aliens meant having no rights from Israel, and that the covenants were for Jews only.
Gentiles' Condition
He affirms that Gentiles were strangers to covenants and without God, and defends God's fairness.
Gentiles' Condition
Les repeats the condition and hints at the coming change through Christ's resurrection.
Gentiles as Aliens
He defines 'aliens' as foreigners with no rights, applying to Gentiles in relation to Israel.
Strangers to Covenants
Les explains that the covenants were given to Jews only, and Gentiles were outside those promises.
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 is the key verse that directly states the status of Gentiles before the age of grace.
It meant that Gentiles had no relationship with the promised Messiah, as God's dealings were primarily with Israel. They were outside the sphere of salvation.
Because they were not citizens of Israel and had no part in the covenants of promise given to the Jewish people.
According to Bible passage, they had no hope in that state, but a change was coming through Christ's death and resurrection.
Les Feldick indicates it changed after the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, specifically with the ministry of the Apostle Paul.
Watch the Teaching: Why Heaven Won't Be Full of Boasters: Faith vs. Works