Ephesians 1:13

“in whom ye also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom, having also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”

“In whom”: In Christ. “Ye also”: Christians. “Having heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation”: Salvation is impossible without first listening to the truth. Christianity is. "taught" religion, hence, an open and honest heart is essential (James 1:21; Luke 8:15). Seeing that babies cannot hear and understand the gospel, and are born pure and innocent, they do not need to be saved. Salvation is inherently linked with hearing and believing the gospel message. Therefore, the gospel message is within the understanding of every accountable person. Culture does not come between people and understanding the gospel, for God designed the gospel as. universal message (Matthew 28:19). Only one message brings salvation. There is no salvation found in the Koran, the Hindu sacred writings, or the book of Mormon (Romans 1:16). To claim that salvation can be gained by listening to other messages besides the message found in the gospel, is to be ashamed of the gospel. “The word of truth”: The gospel message tells us the truth. Concerning God, ourselves, others, and eternity. “In whom, having also believed”: One must believe the gospel that the apostles preached. “Sealed”: “A seal was. sign of ownership; it was. mark of protection; it was. stamp of validity” (Erdman p. 39). (2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 4:30). “The Holy Spirit of promise”: The Spirit who was promised (John 14:26; John 16:13).