Eternal life is a gift. We are saved by Jesus. Now, the doctrines are important, and that's where people call us a sect, they have almost stopped calling us a cult. It's a response to Him. So we're saved by gift certificate.
Eternal life is given by a gift.
You have to know the Giver. That has never happened to me. We almost always receive gifts from people that we know. Our friend Jesus, because we know Him, wants to give us His Eternal life. The Gospel is just one wonderful loving Friend, Jesus, standing with outstretched arms wanting to share His eternal life with you.