Yes, the resurrection of Jesus is essential to Christian faith because it is the power of God that declares Jesus to be the Son of God and is the very basis of salvation.
Les Feldick teaches from Scripture that the resurrection stands at the heart of the gospel. Without it, faith is vain and believers remain in their sins (1 Corinthians 15:14, 17). God's power raised Christ from the dead, proving His divine identity and making the resurrection the foundation of saving faith.
Romans 1:4 — This verse directly connects the resurrection to Jesus being declared the Son of God with power.
1 Corinthians 15:17 — This verse shows that without the resurrection, faith is vain and sin remains unforgiven.
Romans 1:4 declares that Jesus was "declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." The resurrection publicly identifies Jesus as the powerful Son of God, not merely a good teacher or prophet. First Corinthians 15:14 and 17 state plainly: "And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain." and "And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins." Thus Scripture itself makes the resurrection the indispensable proof of Christ's victory over sin and death, and the reason for the believer's hope.
Les Feldick consistently teaches that the resurrection is the heart of the gospel and the bedrock of Christian faith. He explains that it was God's power that raised Jesus from the dead, declaring Him to be the only begotten Son of God. As a result, anyone who cannot believe the resurrection cannot be saved, because salvation rests entirely on God raising Christ. Les uses strong language, saying, "If you have a problem with the resurrection, you're going to have a problem getting into glory." Les also points to the resurrection as the high point of everything God has accomplished. If there is no resurrection, all of faith and hope collapse. The resurrection power that raised Christ is the same power that saves believers, sets them free from the slave market of sin, and transforms their lives. Les uses the example of the disciples, especially Peter, who went from denying Christ in fear to fearlessly facing Rome after witnessing the resurrection.
The resurrection reveals that Jesus is the Son of God with power. Les teaches that God's power raised Him from the dead, declaring Him to be the only begotten Son of God. This is not about His birth in Bethlehem but about the resurrection, which is the central demonstration of His divine identity. Knowing the resurrected Christ is essential; merely believing in His good earthly life is not enough for salvation.
Les is emphatic that salvation is impossible without accepting the resurrection. He says that if someone has a problem with the resurrection, they have no salvation, because the resurrection is the very basis of the gospel. Scripture confirms this: if Christ is not raised, faith is vain and sin remains. The resurrection is what sets true Christianity apart from all other religions, which have no resurrection power.
Before the resurrection, the disciples fled in fear. Les points to Peter denying Christ at His arrest and running scared with the others. But after the resurrection, Peter was afraid of no one—not Rome, not the Jews, not anyone. The power of the resurrection transformed these men and became the bedrock of their gospel message. It gave them the courage to face martyrdom without fear.
The same divine power that raised Christ is the power by which God saves believers. Les compares the lost condition to slaves bought out of a slave market: God sets them free, cleans them up, gives them hope, and does it all through His power. Believers are identified with Christ's death and resurrection, so they who are dead with Christ shall also live with Him. This resurrection power is the source of a believer's new life and courage.
God's Saving Power
Les pictures the lost as slaves in a slave market, and teaches that God's power sets them free, cleans them up, and gives them hope.
Resurrection Declares the Son of God
Resurrection power declares Jesus to be the only begotten Son of God and is the basis of salvation; rejecting it undermines salvation itself.
Resurrection Is the High Point
The resurrection is the epitome of all God accomplished; if there is no resurrection, everything falls apart.
Knowing the Risen Christ
Believers know Jesus as the resurrected, glorified Lord, not merely as a man who lived a good earthly life.
No Resurrection, No Salvation
Les warns that disbelief in the resurrection leaves no salvation and that resurrection power transformed the disciples.
Heart of the Gospel
The resurrection is the very heart of the gospel and the power that separates Christianity from all other religions.
Fundamental to Faith
The resurrection is fundamental to faith because believers are identified with Christ's death and certain to live with Him.
Peter's Transformation
Les uses Peter's change from denial to fearlessness as evidence of resurrection power in real life.
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 shows that the resurrection publicly declares Jesus as the powerful Son of God.
1 Corinthians 15:14: And if Christ be not raised, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
This verse ties the truth of the resurrection to the validity of Christian preaching and faith.
1 Corinthians 15:17: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
Without the resurrection, sin would remain, making salvation impossible.
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 expresses the tremendous power God used in raising Christ from the dead.
Les Feldick teaches that it was at the resurrection, not at Bethlehem, that Jesus was declared to be the only begotten Son of God. The power of God raised Him from the dead, and that resurrection declared Him to be the Son of God with power.
No. Les Feldick says that if someone cannot believe the resurrection, they have no salvation. The resurrection is the basis of salvation, and apart from it, faith is vain and sins remain.
Before the resurrection, Peter denied Christ and the disciples ran in fear. After the resurrection, they were fearless, and Peter stood up to Rome and the Jewish leaders. The resurrection power they witnessed transformed them completely.
Watch the Teaching: Why Paul Is THE Apostle to the Gentiles — Romans 1 Explained