Why do we need faith to receive the gospel?
Faith is required because the gospel's saving power is beyond human comprehension; it cannot be grasped by human wisdom or earned by works, Law, repentance, or baptism. God's revelation to the apostle of the Gentiles must be believed and taken by faith, making salvation rest on believing the gospel rather than human effort.
Les explains that the gospel is plain—we are to believe it—but its power is so complex that no human being can fully understand it. Therefore it must be taken by faith. Salvation is not in the Law, not in works, not in repentance and baptism; it is in believing the Gospel. That Gospel is that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Les notes this message was received from the ascended, glorified Lord and delivered first of all to the apostle of the Gentiles. Because it is too simple for most people and beyond human comprehension, faith is the only way to receive it.