Yes, the resurrection of Christ is absolutely essential — it is the heart of the gospel and the basis of Christian salvation.
The resurrection stands at the center of the gospel. If someone cannot believe the resurrection, they cannot have salvation, because salvation rests entirely on the power of God raising Christ from the dead. The resurrection is also what makes Christianity unique among the religions of the world and gives believers hope of eternal life.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — Paul defines the gospel as Christ's death, burial, and resurrection — showing why the resurrection is central to the Christian faith.
Romans 1:4 — It directly connects the resurrection to Jesus being declared the Son of God with power.
Paul tells us the gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-4). The resurrection is not an optional detail — it is the center of the gospel message. Paul also writes, "And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain" (1 Corinthians 15:14). The resurrection is what declares Jesus to be the Son of God with power. Paul writes, "And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead" (Romans 1:4). And in Ephesians, believers are described as having been spiritually dead and made alive through resurrection power: "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins" (Ephesians 2:1).
Les Feldick is emphatic that the resurrection stands at the very heart of the gospel. He teaches that if you don't have the power of the resurrection as the basis of your salvation, you have none. He says that people may believe in Christ's earthly ministry, His miracles, and His crucifixion, but if they have a problem with His resurrection, they have a problem getting into glory — because unless you can believe the resurrection, you have no salvation. Les also stresses that the resurrection is what makes Christianity unique. Practically no other religion has resurrection as the basis of its beliefs; other systems may claim reincarnation, but they know nothing of resurrection power. That same resurrection power is what makes believers alive from spiritual death and gives them hope of eternal life beyond the grave. He adds that no one is saved by simply believing that Jesus did good, and no one is saved by church rituals, rules, or procedures — only by believing the gospel, which centers on the resurrection.
Les Feldick teaches that the resurrection is the basis of salvation. If someone lacks the power of the resurrection as the basis for their faith, they have no salvation. He puts it plainly: "If you have a problem with the resurrection, you're going to have a problem getting into glory... unless you can believe the resurrection, you have no salvation tonight." Scripture agrees — if Christ is not raised, faith is vain and people are still in their sins.
Les Feldick emphasizes that practically no other religion on the planet has resurrection as the very basis of its beliefs. This is what makes Christianity unique. Other religions may claim reincarnation, but they know nothing of resurrection power. The resurrection is at the core of everything Christians believe and everything the Bible teaches.
Resurrection power is not just something that happened to Christ — it is the power by which believers are made alive. Paul writes that believers were dead in trespasses and sins and have been quickened, or made alive. Les connects this to Romans 6: believers who are dead with Christ by identification believe they shall also live with Him. The believer's hope is to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, both now and for eternity.
Les Feldick says no. People do not become Christians by going through a set ritual, rules and regulations, or a set procedure. Even though he is in favor of the local church and Sunday school, he insists those things have their rightful place but cannot take the place of believing the gospel. Salvation is by faith in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
Church Procedures Cannot Save
Les makes clear that no one becomes a Christian by going through church rituals or set procedures; those things have their place, but only believing the gospel saves.
Resurrection as Heart of the Gospel
The resurrection stands at the heart of the gospel; if someone cannot believe the resurrection, they cannot have salvation.
Identification With Christ's Resurrection
Believers who are dead with Christ by identification will also live with Him, which is why the resurrection is fundamental to faith.
No Resurrection, No Salvation
If a person has a problem believing the resurrection, they have a problem getting into glory; there is no salvation without believing the resurrection.
Believing Jesus Was Good Is Not Saving Faith
No one is saved by simply believing that Jesus did good; salvation is in the resurrected Christ who died for our sin.
Resurrection Is Unique to Christianity
Practically no other religion has resurrection as the basis of its beliefs; Christianity is unique in that resurrection is at its core.
The Heart of the Gospel Is Christ's Resurrection
The heart of the gospel is that He rose from the dead; without belief in resurrection, there is no salvation and no power.
Resurrection Power in Salvation
Resurrection power is what makes believers alive from spiritual death — they were dead in trespasses and sins, but God quickens them.
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 defines the gospel itself — the death, burial, and resurrection are all essential.
1 Corinthians 15:14: And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
It shows that the resurrection is not optional; without it, Christian preaching and faith are empty.
1 Corinthians 15:17: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
This connects the resurrection directly to salvation — without it, sins are not actually dealt with.
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:
The resurrection is the powerful declaration that Jesus is the Son of God.
Ephesians 2:1: And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Believers are made alive spiritually — a resurrection-like work of God's power.
No, according to Les Feldick. He says if you haven't got the power of the resurrection as the basis of your salvation, you have none. He also states plainly that if you have a problem believing the resurrection, you have no salvation tonight.
Les Feldick teaches that practically no other religion has resurrection as the very basis of its beliefs. Other religions may claim reincarnation, but they know nothing of resurrection power. This is what makes Christianity unique.
Les says you don't become a Christian by going through a set ritual, rules and regulations, or a set procedure. Church and Sunday school have their rightful place, but they cannot replace believing the gospel — which includes faith in Christ's resurrection.
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