In Eph. 1:13 the Apostle Paul declares that men are saved and sealed by hearing and believing βthe Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation.β This declaration is substantiated by many other passages of Scripture. Our Lord said: βHe that hearethβ¦ and believethβ¦ hath everlasting lifeβ (John 5:24). This at a time when sacrifices and baptism were still required for the remission of sins. Even then men had to hear and believe to be saved, for βfaith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Godβ (Rom. 10:17).
Now, however, salvation is received by hearing and believing alone. Works for salvation are not merely unnecessary; they are forbidden. Today salvation is βto him that worketh not, but believethβ (Rom. 4:5). βFor by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boastβ (Eph. 2:8,9).
God has changed His dealings with men from time to time down through the ages, teaching one lesson at a time. This is why it is so important to note the dispensational distinctions in Scripture, βrightly dividing the Word of truth.β
Once the works of the Law were required for salvation: βBut now the righteousness of God without the law is manifestedβ (Rom. 3:21) and men are saved solely by faith in Christ, βbeing justified freely by [Godβs] grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesusβ (Rom. 3:24). We are saved, then, as we hear and believe what Paul calls, βthe Word of truth, the gospel of your salvationβ (Eph. 1:13), and we are established in the faith as we obey II Tim. 2:15: βrightly dividing the Word of truth.β source
