By TONY HOSS

Throughout the ages people have claimed to obtain saving grace in various ways. There are those who claim their faith came as a result of a better felt than told or learned faith. Others have claimed that their faith was the result of a direct revelation from God or a messenger from God such as an angel. While it is true that salvation comes through faith in Christ, God’s Word teaches that faith in Christ comes only through the inspired word of God. Paul said, “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God.” (Romans 10:17)
It is for this reason that Jesus committed the gospel to men so that they might proclaim it to others. (Mark. 16:15-16; Matthew 28:18-20). From that time there has never been an individual properly converted to God without first hearing the Word of God and then becoming obedient to the gospel of Christ as proclaimed by God’s faithful men.
The New Testament is filled with example after example of such conversions. In Acts 8:27-ff we learn that Philip was sent by God’s angel to preach the word to the Ethiopian Eunuch. The angel sent Philip to fulfil God’s desire that a man might teach another man the Word of God. God could have sent the message directly, but He did not. He could have sent it through the angel, but He did not. When the preacher had finished his teaching, the Eunuch listened to the gospel he had just received, and he obeyed by being baptized. In this case the command of Christ was fulfilled.
In Acts 10:1-ff we have the example of Cornelius’ conversion. In this instance the angel of God was sent to the man who needed salvation rather than to the preacher. As seen before, the angel did not proclaim the gospel message to Cornelius, neither did God send a direct revelation but tells him to send for Peter. When Peter arrived, he proclaimed the Word to Cornelius by which he could be saved (Acts 11:14). In doing so the command of Christ was again fulfilled.
There is no doubt why Paul said the following, “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:14-15) Romans 10:17 makes so much sense following this passage.
It was Paul himself whom Jesus met on the road to Damascus. Even in this case Jesus did not tell Paul what to do to be saved. Rather, he sent Paul to hear from a man words by which he could be saved. In thus doing Jesus was obedient to His own command. (Acts 22:6-16). Saul of Tarsus, later known as the apostle Paul, was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians when he was met by Jesus who told him to go Damascus to be told what to do to be saved. Here, Jesus in direct contact with a sinner, still he allows his Word to be taught according to God’s commands. When Paul asked what to do to be saved he was told to arise and be baptized washing away his sins. Enough faith to become obedient and gain salvation came from the Word of God. If God was ever going to step in and directly tell someone what to do to be saved separate and apart from the written word this surely would have been the case, but it did not happen.
As we consider how to gain proper faith we should consider the words of the Hebrew author when he said, “Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (2) For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward.” (Hebrews 2:1-2)
I encourage you to read and understand the Word of God. Allow God’s Word to be the only revelation you need for salvation and living a faithful Christian life.
(Tony Hoss is minister at the Centerview Church of Christ. He can be contacted at 737-2287 or by email at: CenterviewCOC@comcast.net)