Yes - the resurrection is central to the Gospel because it is the power of God unto salvation.
Paul defines the gospel as Christ dying for our sins, being buried, and rising again according to the Scriptures. Scripture declares Jesus to be the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. Les Feldick teaches that the resurrection is the heart of the gospel, and that without it everything falls apart and there is no salvation.
Romans 1:4 — This is the key verse showing that the resurrection declares Jesus to be the Son of God with power.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — Paul states the gospel is Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, making the resurrection essential.
Acts 13:34 — This verse connects God raising Jesus from the dead to the Father's declaration, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.'
In Romans 1, Paul introduces the gospel as it concerns God's Son, Jesus Christ, who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh. Romans 1:4 then says He was 'declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.' Acts 13:34 makes the same point: God the Father's words, 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee,' are spoken concerning the One He raised up from the dead. In 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, Paul says he delivered 'first of all' 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.' And Romans 1:16 calls the gospel 'the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.' The Bible therefore places the resurrection at the center of the gospel message.
Les Feldick presents the resurrection as the foundation of the gospel for this present age. He calls it the epitome and the high point of everything God has accomplished, and he insists that if there is no resurrection, everything falls apart. For Les, the resurrection is the very heart of the gospel - Paul wrote about knowing 'the power of his resurrection' (Philippians 3:10), and that same resurrection power is what makes salvation possible, taking someone who was dead in trespasses and sins and making them alive. Les repeatedly confronts the idea that people can accept Christ's earthly ministry, miracles, and crucifixion but struggle with the resurrection. He answers plainly: if you cannot believe the resurrection, you have no salvation and no power; you are totally lost. He also teaches that the phrase 'only begotten Son' in Acts 13 and Romans 1 is grounded in the resurrection, not Bethlehem - that is when the Son of God was declared with power. The gospel, he says, is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures.
Paul wrote, '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' (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Romans 1:16 calls the gospel the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth. The resurrection is therefore not an add-on; it is part of the very definition of the gospel.
Les teaches that the resurrection is the very foundation of where we are today and the epitome of everything God has accomplished. He says the heart of the gospel is that Christ rose from the dead, and if there is no resurrection, everything falls apart. Paul wrote about knowing 'the power of his resurrection' (Philippians 3:10), and Les connects this power directly to salvation.
Romans 1:4 says Jesus was 'declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.' In Acts 13:34, Paul ties the Father's words - 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee' - to God raising Jesus from the dead. Les points out that 'only begotten Son' in these passages does not refer primarily to Bethlehem, but to the resurrection.
Les said he has heard people who can believe Christ's earthly ministry, miracles, and crucifixion, but struggle with the resurrection. His response is plain: if you have a problem with the resurrection, you have a problem getting into glory, because without belief in the resurrection there is no salvation. He also said those who reject it have nothing and are totally lost, because the resurrection is the basis of Christ's power.
Resurrection Defines 'Only Begotten Son'
Les ties Acts 13:34 to Romans 1, showing that 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee' refers to God raising Jesus from the dead - the resurrection, not Bethlehem, defines the only begotten Son.
Resurrection Is the Foundation of Salvation
Les stresses that someone can believe Christ's miracles and crucifixion but stumble over the resurrection; he insists that unless you believe the resurrection, you have no salvation.
Resurrection Is the Epitome of God's Work
Les calls the resurrection the epitome and high point of everything God accomplished, adding that 1 Corinthians 15 makes clear that without the resurrection everything falls apart.
Resurrection Is the Heart of the Gospel
Les says the very heart of the gospel is that Christ rose from the dead; if you cannot believe the resurrection, you have no salvation and no power, and it is resurrection power that sets Christianity apart from the religions of the world.
Resurrection Declares Christ's Divine Power
Les repeats that people may accept the cross but reject the resurrection, yet the resurrection is the very basis of Christ's power - without it we are totally lost.
Resurrection Power Brings Life from Deadness
Les applies resurrection power to salvation itself: believers were dead in trespasses and sins and were made alive by resurrection power, just as Romans 1:4 declares Christ Son of God by resurrection.
Gospel Climaxes in the Resurrection
Les shows Paul presenting the gospel as the climax of God's purposes: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures - that is the gospel.
Gospel Is Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Les insists Christ was literally buried and rose the third day, and connects the gospel to Romans 1:16 as the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes.
Romans 1:4: And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
This verse directly connects the resurrection to the declaration that Jesus is the Son of God with power.
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:
Paul defines the gospel as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Romans 1:16: For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
The gospel, including the resurrection, is called the power of God unto salvation.
Acts 13:34: And as concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I will give you the sure mercies of David.
This verse ties the Father's 'Thou art my Son' declaration to the resurrection.
Ephesians 1:20: Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
This verse shows the mighty power God used when He raised Christ from the dead.
Philippians 3:10: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death;
Paul expresses the desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection.
Les Feldick explicitly says no - if you can believe Christ's death but have a problem with His resurrection, you have no salvation. He says those who reject the resurrection have nothing and are totally lost, because the resurrection is the basis of Christ's power.
Paul says he delivered first of all that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Les calls this 'the gospel' - Christ's death, burial, and resurrection.
Les teaches that the phrase refers to the resurrection, not to Bethlehem. When Paul quotes 'Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee,' he explains it as God raising Jesus from the dead, declaring Him the Son of God with power.
Watch the Teaching: What Does "Only Begotten Son of God" Really Mean?