Topical Bible: Faith: Through It Is: Salvation

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Faith is a central tenet of Christian theology, serving as the conduit through which believers receive salvation. In the Christian tradition, faith is not merely intellectual assent but a deep-seated trust and reliance on God and His promises. The Bible presents faith as the means by which individuals are justified and reconciled to God, emphasizing its necessity for salvation.

Biblical Foundation of Faith and Salvation

The concept of faith as essential for salvation is rooted in numerous passages throughout the Bible. One of the most cited is Ephesians 2:8-9, which states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast" . This passage underscores that salvation is a gift from God, accessed through faith, and not a result of human effort or merit.

In the book of Romans, the Apostle Paul elaborates on the relationship between faith and righteousness. Romans 1:17 declares, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" . Here, Paul echoes the Old Testament prophet Habakkuk, affirming that faith is the means by which believers attain righteousness before God.

Faith Exemplified in Scripture

The Bible provides numerous examples of individuals whose faith led to their salvation. Hebrews 11, often referred to as the "Faith Chapter," highlights the faith of Old Testament figures such as Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, and Moses. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see" , illustrating that faith involves trust in God's promises, even when they are not yet visible.

Abraham, in particular, is frequently cited as a model of faith. Romans 4:3 states, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness" . Abraham's faith was demonstrated through his willingness to obey God's command to leave his homeland and later, to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice. His faith was not passive but active, manifesting in obedience and trust in God's promises.

Faith and the Person of Jesus Christ

Central to the Christian understanding of faith and salvation is the person and work of Jesus Christ. Faith in Christ is the means by which believers receive the benefits of His atoning sacrifice. John 3:16, one of the most well-known verses in the Bible, encapsulates this truth: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" . Belief in Jesus as the Son of God and Savior is the cornerstone of Christian faith.

The Apostle Paul further emphasizes this in Romans 10:9-10: "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with your heart you believe and are justified, and with your mouth you confess and are saved" . This passage highlights the necessity of both inward belief and outward confession in the process of salvation.

The Role of Faith in the Life of the Believer

Faith is not only the means of entering into a relationship with God but also the sustaining force in the believer's life. Galatians 2:20 illustrates this ongoing aspect of faith: "I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" . Faith is the foundation upon which the Christian life is built, influencing every aspect of a believer's conduct and decisions.

James 2:17 further clarifies that genuine faith is evidenced by works: "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead" . While works do not earn salvation, they are the natural outflow of a living faith, demonstrating the transformative power of faith in the believer's life.

In summary, faith is the essential means by which salvation is received, as it involves trust in God's promises, exemplified through the life and work of Jesus Christ. It is both the entry point and the sustaining force of the Christian life, evidenced by a life of obedience and good works.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Mark 16:16
He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:31
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be saved, and your house.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Greek

4102. pistis -- faith, faithfulness
... 3 For through the grace given to me I ... assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity ...
teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly, constancy ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4102.htm - 18k

Library

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... 5:1); our adoption (Gal.3:26); our sanctification (Acts 26:18); our keeping
(1:Pet.1:5), indeed our whole salvation from start to ... 3. DO EXPLOITS THROUGH FAITH. ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Noah's Faith, Fear, Obedience, and Salvation
... shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" But if ... to conviction if they
had not been hardened through the deceitfulness ... How his faith condemned them! ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 36 1890/noahs faith fear obedience and.htm

The Word as a Means of Grace
... It not only tells about sin and salvation, but delivers from sin and confers
salvation. ... Through it the Holy Spirit works repentance and faith. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter xvii the word as.htm

Justification by Faith
... through our Lord Jesus Christ." Christ offers to God the substitution: through faith
we accept ... own soul, and do you know that God's way of salvation is through ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 60 1914/justification by faith.htm

The Connection of the Christian virtues.
... For the apostle says, "But through their transgression salvation is come to ... of the
Son of God, and had fallen asleep, in power and by faith, preached to ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter ix the connection of the.htm

On the Catholic Faith
... be born ofa Virgin that so the salvation of mankind which had been lost through
the disobedience of ... Yet against this article of Faith so wholesome and ...
/.../boethius/the theological tractates/on the catholic faith.htm

How is the Word Made Effectual to Salvation?
... them against temptations and corruptions; of building them up in grace, and
establishing their hearts in holiness and comfort through faith unto salvation. ...
/.../anonymous/the westminster larger catechism/question 155 0 0 how is the.htm

Sermon.
... will find some here this day, that have gone astray, and gather them with his divine
arm, and keep them by his mighty power, through faith unto salvation. ...
/.../penn/a sermon preached at the quakers meeting house/sermon.htm

A Treatise on Faith and the Creed.
... same time, while laboring for the salvation of our ... against the possibility of the
said faith sustaining any injury in us, on any side, through the fraudulent ...
/.../augustine/a treatise on faith and the creed /a treatise on faith and 2.htm

Unity of the Faith of the Church Throughout the Whole World.
... the apostles and their disciples this faith: [She believes ... who became incarnate for
our salvation; and in the Holy Spirit, who proclaimed through the prophets ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter x unity of the faith.htm