No, Jesus' earthly ministry is not the basis for salvation; salvation rests on His death, burial, and resurrection.
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 5:16 that we no longer know Christ after the flesh, which points beyond His earthly life to His death and resurrection. Les Feldick states plainly that 'our salvation is not based on the earthly ministry of Jesus' and that we have salvation only by virtue of His death, burial, and resurrection. The miracles and earthly works proved who Jesus was, but they do not meet the need of the sinner.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 — Paul says we no longer know Christ after the flesh, removing Jesus' earthly ministry as the basis of our salvation and pointing to His cross and resurrection.
Galatians 1:11-12 — Paul's gospel did not come from men who knew Jesus in the flesh, showing that his gospel was not built on Jesus' earthly ministry.
2 Corinthians 5:16-17 draws a dividing line after the cross. Paul writes, '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.' He then says, 'Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.' This shows that the old way of knowing Christ according to His earthly life is not the basis of the new creation relationship. Galatians 1:11-12 also shows Paul's gospel was not received from men or taught by men, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. Romans 4:5 adds that God justifies the ungodly through faith, not through human attachment to Jesus' earthly works.
Les Feldick is direct: 'Our salvation is not based on the earthly ministry of Jesus.' He explains that Jesus' earthly ministry was His ministry to the nation of Israel and that the name 'Jesus' was His name of humiliation; after the resurrection, He is the Lord Jesus Christ (Clip 1). Paul, writing in 2 Corinthians 5, says he is no longer attached to Jesus' earthly ministry. Les says the miracles and walking on water are interesting and prove who Jesus was, but they do not get down to the need of the sinner; everything comes to a head at the cross (Clip 4). Salvation is only by virtue of His death, burial, and resurrection (Clip 2). Les is concerned that many in Christendom spend all their time in the four Gospels and miss that Jesus died, shed blood, rose, and is ready to impart salvation to everyone who simply believes (Clip 7). No one is saved by simply believing that Jesus did good (Clip 5).
Les points out that after Saul of Tarsus was converted on the road to Damascus, the natural expectation would have been for him to go to Jerusalem and ask the apostles to fill him in on everything Jesus taught during those three years. But Paul insists his gospel was not after man (Clip 0). Paul lived contemporary with Jesus, which is why he can say 'yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh,' yet he insists that from now on he no longer knows Christ that way (Clip 6). His gospel was not built on the earthly ministry but on the risen Lord.
Les says the miracles, walking on water, and the earthly life are interesting, but they only prove that Jesus was who He claimed to be. They do not reach the deepest need of the sinner. That need is answered at the cross, where He died and shed His blood, and in His resurrection. People who focus only on Jesus' good earthly life often know nothing of His resurrection power or saving power (Clips 4, 5, 7).
Before the cross, Christ was not the object of our salvation in the way He is after the cross. Les says the same Person is involved, but it is the work of the cross that makes our salvation experience possible. We know the resurrected Christ, the One who died for our sin (Clips 5, 6).
Paul's Gospel Not From Earthly Ministry
Les shows that after his conversion Paul did not need to be tutored by the men who had walked with Jesus, because his gospel about the risen Christ did not come from Jesus' earthly ministry.
Earthly Ministry Was to Israel
Les directly states that our salvation is not based on Jesus' earthly ministry; that ministry belonged to Israel, and 'Jesus' was His name of humiliation.
The Gospel Is Christ Crucified and Risen
Les warns that no one can be saved by 'the gospel according to Jesus' if that means His earthly ministry; salvation comes only through His death, burial, and resurrection.
We Must Go Beyond the Earthly Ministry
Les says understanding Jesus' earthly ministry is not enough; we must go to the cross and the resurrection, otherwise we 'know him for nothing.'
Miracles Prove Who He Was; the Cross Meets Our Need
The miracles only proved Jesus' identity; the cross is where the need of the sinner is met, so Paul is no longer attached to His earthly ministry.
Believing Jesus Was Good Does Not Save
Les says many emphasize Jesus' good earthly life but know nothing of His resurrection power or saving power; no one is saved by simply believing that Jesus did good.
The Pre-Cross Christ Is Not the Object of Our Salvation
The same Person is involved, but the Christ before the cross is not the object of our salvation as He is after the cross; the work of the cross makes salvation possible.
Don't Stop at the Gospels
People spend all their time in the four Gospels and miss that Jesus died, shed blood, rose, and wants to impart salvation to those who believe.
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.
This verse directly moves believers beyond knowing Jesus according to His earthly life.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The new creation relationship with Christ is based on His resurrection, not on His earthly ministry.
Galatians 1:11-12: But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Paul's gospel came by revelation, not from those who had been with Jesus during His earthly ministry.
Romans 4:5: But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
Righteousness comes through faith in God who justifies the ungodly, not through the works of Jesus' earthly life.
No. He says there is nothing wrong with studying His earthly ministry, but it is not the basis for salvation today. The basis is Christ's death, burial, and resurrection (Clips 1, 2).
He said the miracles and walking on water are interesting and prove Jesus was who He said He was, but they do not get down to the need of the sinner. The cross is where everything comes to a head (Clip 4).
Because after Christ's death and resurrection, Paul says he is no longer attached to Jesus' earthly ministry. We now know the resurrected Christ, the One who died for our sin (Clips 4, 5).
Watch the Teaching: Did the Disciples Understand the Cross? Luke 18 Explained