What happens to a believer when they place their faith in the gospel?
When a believer places faith in the gospel after hearing the word of truth, they are sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit of promise. That Spirit is the earnest or down payment of their inheritance, guaranteeing future redemption of the purchased possession, including the physical body, to the praise of His glory.
Les teaches that the core of eternal life is believing the gospel. In Ephesians 1:13-14, after a person hears the word of truth, the gospel of salvation, and trusts in Christ, they are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. That Spirit is the earnest or down payment of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession. Les notes that while we are already redeemed, the body is not yet redeemed; it remains in the flesh and is prone to the same pain, accidents, and sin as the unbeliever. The down payment assures that even this physical body, from which soul and spirit will be separated at death, will be included in that redemption, to the praise of His glory.
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,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
More Questions
What does a person need to understand before they can believe the gospel?
A person must hear and consider the gospel and be old enough to understand that they are a sinner and that Christ is the remedy before Paul says they can believe.
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.