Faith as basis of salvation

Salvation by faith in the OT

Habakkuk 2:4 ESV

“Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith.

The faith of Abraham and other individuals

Genesis 15:6 ESV

And he believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness.

See also Ro 4:9–16 Abraham, the father of those righteous by faith; Heb 11:4 Abel; Heb 11:5 Enoch; Heb 11:7 Noah

Salvation by faith in the NT

Romans 1:16–17 ESV

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

See also 1 Co 1:21; Php 3:8–9

Salvation through faith alone

Ephesians 2:8–9 ESV

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

See also Ro 3:27–28; Ro 4:1–8; Ps 32:1–2; Ro 9:30–32; Ga 3:10–14; Dt 27:26

Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ

Jn 3:14–16 Being “lifted up” is a reference to Jesus Christ’s death on the cross; Ro 10:9–10 The necessity of outward confession, as evidence of personal faith in Jesus Christ.

See also Jn 8:24; Ac 8:37; Ac 13:38–39; Ro 3:21–26; Ro 4:24; 2 Co 4:13–14; Ga 3:22

Salvation is for all who believe

Ro 10:4 Jesus Christ is the “end of the law”, in the sense that he brings it to its goal and fulfilment, and accomplishes its intentions.

See also Ac 15:7–9; Ro 3:29–30

Salvation is for those who persevere in their faith

Colossians 1:21–23 ESV

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.

See also Heb 3:14; Heb 6:11–12

Saving faith shows itself in action

James 2:14 ESV

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?

Blessings of salvation received through faith

Justification and peace with God

See also Ro 5:1–2; Ga 2:15–16; Ga 5:5

Forgiveness

Lk 7:48–50; Ac 10:43

Victory over death

John 11:25–27 ESV

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” She said to him, “Yes, Lord; I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who is coming into the world.”

Adoption into God’s family

Jn 1:12; Ga 3:26

The gift of the Holy Spirit

Jn 7:38–39; Ga 3:2; Eph 1:13

Jesus Christ in the heart

Ephesians 3:17 ESV

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love,

Protection through God’s power

1 Peter 1:5 ESV

who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Access to God

Eph 3:12; Heb 10:22

Sanctification

Acts 26:17–18 ESV

delivering you from your people and from the Gentiles—to whom I am sending you to open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

New life

Galatians 2:20 ESV

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Eternal life

Jn 3:16; Jn 3:36; Jn 5:24; Jn 6:40; Jn 6:47