Yes—the work of the cross is essential for salvation because Scripture presents Christ's death, burial, and resurrection as the gospel that saves.
The Bible says Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again according to the Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). Les Feldick teaches that this finished work of the cross makes salvation available to every human being, and that believers are now called to live for the One who died for them and rose again (2 Corinthians 5:14–15). Without the cross—His death, burial, and resurrection—there is no salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4 — This passage explicitly identifies the gospel as Christ's death for our sins, His burial, and His resurrection.
The Bible defines the gospel that saves: "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). This gospel—Christ's death, burial, and resurrection—is the foundation of salvation. Paul also writes, "For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again" (2 Corinthians 5:14–15). The cross is the means by which God reconciles sinners to Himself: "For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life" (Romans 5:10). And the preaching of the cross is powerful: "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God" (1 Corinthians 1:18).
Les Feldick emphasizes that the gospel is the finished work of the cross—Christ crucified, buried, and risen again. He points to 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 as the defining passage: Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. This finished work is what makes salvation possible for every human being. In his teaching, the work of the cross includes not only His death but also His burial and resurrection—the resurrection is essential because salvation could never be complete if He remained dead. Les also teaches that Christ's earthly ministry—His miracles, signs, and teaching—is good to know but is not the basis of salvation. Salvation today is not based on the gospel of His earthly life; rather, it is based on His death, burial, and resurrection. He repeatedly says that people must go beyond merely believing Jesus is the Son of God or Israel's Messiah; they must believe He went to the cross, shed His blood, and rose again. Because of the cross, believers are no longer to live for themselves but for the One who died for them and rose again.
Paul's gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. Les Feldick calls this the finished work of the cross and says this is the gospel by which believers are saved. In his teaching, the cross was not just Israel rejecting her King; it was the fulfillment of God's eternal purposes, giving the whole human race access to His plan of salvation. The resurrection was the culmination, as Christ came forth in power.
Les Feldick teaches that Christ's earthly ministry—His birth, miracles, suffering, and teachings—is good to know but is not what is required for salvation. What is required is that the Son of God went to the cross, shed His blood for sin, and rose from the dead. Merely believing that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God is foundational but not sufficient in this age of grace. A person must also believe in His crucifixion and resurrection.
Because Christ died for all, the believer is to live no longer for himself but for the One who died for him and rose again. Les applies 2 Corinthians 5:14–15 to show that the cross changes how believers view themselves and Christ. They are no longer controlled by the flesh or Adam, but are in Christ, forgiven, and created anew.
The Cross Changes How Believers Live
Les points to 2 Corinthians 5:14–15, showing that because Christ died for everyone, believers no longer live for themselves but for Christ, who died and rose again.
The Gospel Is the Finished Work of the Cross
Les defines the gospel as the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ, calling it the finished work of the cross.
Earthly Ministry Is Not What Saves
Les says Christ's earthly ministry is good to know but is not required for salvation; what is required is Christ's death and resurrection.
The Cross Makes Reconciliation Available
Les teaches that the work of the cross makes reconciliation available to the whole human race, and Christ's resurrection is imputed to believers.
Salvation Comes Only Through the Risen Christ
Les stresses that believers know Christ as crucified and risen; salvation is by His death, burial, and resurrection, not by the gospel of His earthly ministry.
Salvation Is God's Power, Not Human Work
Les says Christ has paid the sin debt, and salvation is an exercise of God's sovereign power; man cannot work for it.
The Cross Fulfilled God's Eternal Purpose
Les teaches that the cross fulfilled God's eternal purpose, opening the way of salvation to the whole human race through Christ's death and resurrection.
The Cross Is the Missing Piece
Les says it is not enough to believe Jesus is the Son of God; in this age, a person must also believe He went to the cross, shed His blood, and rose again.
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 is the scriptural definition of the gospel that saves.
2 Corinthians 5:14-15: For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
This shows that Christ's death for all calls believers to live for Him.
Romans 5:10: For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
This connects reconciliation through Christ's death to salvation through His risen life.
1 Corinthians 1:18: For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.
This confirms that the cross is central to salvation and is God's power to believers.
Les Feldick teaches that the finished work of the cross is the gospel: Christ crucified, buried, and risen from the dead. In His death, the shed blood is implied. This completed work is what makes salvation available.
No. Les says Christ's earthly ministry is good to know, but it is not what is required for salvation. Salvation is by virtue of His death, burial, and resurrection, not by the gospel of His earthly ministry.
Salvation could never be complete if Christ remained dead. Les teaches that He arose victorious over sin, death, and hell, and that victory is imputed to believers, giving them salvation and eternal life.
No. Les says salvation is an exercise of the sovereign power of Almighty God. All a person has is physical strength, but only God can bring about spiritual salvation—so no one can work for it.
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