What has to happen before a person can believe the Gospel and be saved?
A person must first hear the Word of Truth, the Gospel—that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead. They must be able to consider it, be old enough to understand they are a sinner, and understand Christ is the remedy. Then they can believe.
Les explains that Paul writes to believers in Ephesians 1, not to a lost person. The order is: after you heard the Word of Truth—the Gospel, that Christ died, was buried, and rose from the dead—and after you were able to consider it and were old enough to understand you are a sinner and that Christ is the remedy, then you believed. Les notes this says nothing about church membership, though he is not against the local church.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
More Questions
What must you understand to be saved after hearing the gospel?
After hearing the gospel, a person must be old enough to understand they are a sinner and that Christ is the remedy in order to believe and be saved.
What has to happen before a person believes in Christ for salvation?
Believing in Christ happens after a person has heard the Gospel, considered it, and is old enough to understand both that they are a sinner and that Christ is the remedy.
What must a person be capable of before they can understand the gospel that Christ died for them?
A person must be old enough to understand right and wrong and to know that they are a sinner needing salvation before they can understand the gospel that Christ died for them.