As we continue to examine salvation as seen from our perspective, it makes sense that if we must believe in Christ to be saved, that we have to know who Christ is. While it is absolutely true that we are not saved by knowledge, for that would be a works-based salvation, it is true that faith logically demands knowledge of the object of that faith. Thus Jesus can say, "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life” (John 5:24).

Paul writes in Romans 10:13-15,"For, ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’”

Ordinarily it is through the preaching of the gospel as contained in Holy Scripture that one learns of Christ, of who He is, and a picture comes into our minds of the One in whom we are to trust. In some way we must know in Whom to believe. But not everyone who hears, believes. True hearing comes directly from God and registers in the heart. Paul goes on to write: “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: "Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world’” (Rom. 10:16-18).

Jesus said, “It is written in the Prophets: 'They will all be taught by God.' Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me” (John 6:45). Both Paul and Jesus teach that God/Christ must speak to us personally and directly. While not everyone who hears the words of the gospel will believe them, salvation occurs when people do believe. From our perspective we are simply aware of Christ and Who He is. When we then trust in Him, we are saved!