Yes—the resurrection is the foundation and heart of Christian faith because it alone provides salvation and eternal life.
Les Feldick teaches that the resurrection is at the very core of everything Christians believe, and that without it the gospel falls apart. It is the power God used to declare Christ His Son and to raise believers out of spiritual death. No other religion offers resurrection as the basis of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:17 — Paul states point-blank that without Christ's resurrection faith is empty and sin remains—showing why the resurrection is indispensable to Christianity.
Scripture presents the resurrection as the declaration of Christ's divine Sonship. Romans 1:4 says Jesus was declared the Son of God with power by the resurrection from the dead. The resurrection is not an optional add-on; Paul argues that if Christ is not raised, faith is vain and believers are still in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:17). The resurrection is also the pattern and power for the believer's life. Romans 6:5 says that those who have been planted together in the likeness of His death will also be in the likeness of His resurrection. Ephesians 2:1 describes believers as dead in trespasses and sins, and made alive by God's power—the same power that raised Christ. For the believer, knowing Christ means knowing the power of His resurrection (Philippians 3:10). The risen Christ is now seated at the Father's right hand, waiting until His enemies are made His footstool (Hebrews 1:13).
Les Feldick makes it clear that the doctrine of resurrection is what separates true Christianity from every other belief system. He says, 'practically no other religion on the planet has resurrection as the very basis of their beliefs' and that 'at the very core of everything we believe and everything that the Bible teaches is based on this doctrine of resurrection' (Clip 1). He stresses that resurrection is not the same as being brought back to life, like Lazarus; resurrection points to an eternal existence. Les also says the resurrection 'is the epitome, the high point of everything that God has accomplished' and that if there is no resurrection, everything falls apart (Clip 2). It is 'the very heart of the Gospel' (Clip 5). If someone accepts Christ's death but rejects His resurrection, Les says they have no salvation, because 'it all rests on that, that God raised Him from the dead' (Clip 4). Resurrection power is also what makes a dead sinner alive (Clip 3) and what will conform believers to Christ (Clip 7). After His resurrection, Christ is seated at the Father's right hand, even though Satan is still the god of this world; He will stay there until all enemies are made His footstool (Clip 0). For Les, this resurrection position is foundational to everything.
Les observes that almost no other religion makes resurrection the basis of belief. Other religions may teach reincarnation, Les says, but they know nothing of resurrection power. This makes Christianity unique because its whole foundation is a risen, living Savior whose death and resurrection provide eternal life.
Les is blunt: people who say they believe in Christ's earthly ministry and crucifixion but have a problem with His resurrection are left without salvation. He says that if you cannot believe the resurrection, you have no salvation and will have a problem getting into glory. This is why the resurrection stands at the heart of the gospel.
Scripture and Les both connect resurrection to power. Paul speaks of 'the power of his resurrection' (Philippians 3:10). Les says this same resurrection power makes those dead in trespasses and sins alive in salvation. Instead of trying to improve the old Adam, believers are identified with Christ's death and will live with Him.
Christ has accomplished the work of the cross, risen from the dead, and is seated at the Father's right hand. Les notes that even though Christ has defeated Satan at the cross, Satan is still the god of this world. The enemies are not yet under Christ's feet; that awaits the time when the Father makes them His footstool.
Christ Seated Until Enemies Are Made His Footstool
Even after the cross and resurrection, Satan remains the god of this world; Christ sits at the Father's right hand until all enemies are made His footstool.
The Resurrection Is Unique to Christianity
Les says no other religion has resurrection as the basis of belief; it is the core of what we believe and the only way to experience eternal existence.
Resurrection Is the High Point of God's Work
Les calls the resurrection the epitome of all God accomplished and says if there is no resurrection, everything in the faith falls apart.
Resurrection Power at Salvation
Les points to the resurrection power that raised Christ as the same power that makes sinners who were dead in trespasses alive.
The Resurrection Is the Heart of the Gospel
Les explains that the resurrection declares Jesus the Son of God and that rejecting it means losing the basis of salvation.
Christianity vs. Reincarnation
Les uses Philippians 3:10 to show the risen Christ's power is the heart of Christianity, while religions of the world can only claim reincarnation.
Resurrection Power Transforms and Saves
Les says that belief in the resurrection is necessary for glory and that resurrection power transformed the apostles.
The Resurrection Is Fundamental to Faith
Les connects identification with Christ to the resurrection: those who died with Christ will live with Him, making the resurrection fundamental.
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:
Paul states that the resurrection powerfully declared Jesus to be the Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:17: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
This is the key verse showing the resurrection is essential; without it faith is empty.
Ephesians 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Paul describes the condition of sinners and points to the divine power that makes them alive.
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 wants to experience the power of Christ's resurrection in daily life.
Romans 6:5: For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Believers who are united with Christ in death are promised resurrection life with Him.
Hebrews 1:13: But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
The risen Christ is now seated at the Father's right hand until His enemies are made His footstool.
No. Les explains that resurrection is not like Lazarus or the widow's son being restored to earthly life. Biblical resurrection is about eternal existence and is the only way believers can enjoy life for eternity.
Les Feldick says no. He states that if you have a problem with the resurrection, you have no salvation, because the entire gospel rests on God raising Jesus from the dead.
Les says practically no other religion has resurrection as the basis of belief. Other religions may claim reincarnation, but they know nothing of resurrection power—this makes Christianity unique.
Christ is seated at the Father's right hand after His resurrection. Les notes that Satan is still the god of this world, and Christ will remain there until His enemies are made His footstool.
Watch the Teaching: Why Christ Must Reign Until All Enemies Are Under His Feet