What is faith?

How do you believe in someone you can’t see? What if your faith doesn’t feel strong enough? Here’s an overview of what the Bible says.

Faith is trusting in Christ Himself - not just believing facts about Jesus, but receiving Him as a person
Faith is a gift, not something you manufacture - God gives you the faith; you simply receive and act on it
Faith grows by hearing God’s Word - the more you hear and meditate on Scripture, the stronger your faith becomes
Faith must overcome unbelief - your effective faith is determined by how much you conquer doubt with truth
Faith produces action - if faith doesn’t change how you live, it’s not genuine faith

Faith is trusting in Jesus Christ and what He’s already done for you. It’s not about working up enough belief or trying harder to convince yourself. Faith is a gift from God that comes as you hear His Word. Its our choice whether or not to use it.

Scripture says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ” ( Romans 10:17 WEB "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." KJV "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter ). As you expose yourself to God’s truth, faith grows naturally. Your job isn’t to create faith - it’s to feed it with Scripture and refuse to feed doubt with negativity, fear, or lies.

Real faith always produces action. Not works to earn God’s approval, but works that flow naturally from believing His promises. James 2:17 WEB "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself." KJV "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone . alone: Gr. by itself" James 2:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says faith without works is dead - if what you claim to believe doesn’t affect how you live, it’s not genuine faith. Faith and action work together.

A deeper look

Faith is trusting in Christ Himself

Many people approach faith as if it’s about believing the right facts or accepting certain benefits Jesus offers. But saving faith means receiving Jesus as a person - all of who He is.

You can’t pick and choose which parts of Jesus you want. He’s not offering you forgivenessWhat is forgiveness?Choosing to release someone from their debt to you because God forgave you first-it's a command, not just a suggestion. Full answer coming soon… separate from Himself, or heaven apart from relationship with Him. John 1:12 WEB "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:" KJV "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege" John 1:12 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says, “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” It’s about receiving a person, not agreeing to a theological position.

Think of it like marriage. You don’t marry someone for what they can do for you while rejecting who they are. You take them as a complete person. That’s how we come to Christ - we receive Him as Savior, LordWhat does it mean that Jesus is Lord?"Jesus is Lord" means acknowledging His authority over everything and submitting to His rule. This is the confession that yields salvation. Full answer coming soon… , and King. Not one role without the others, but all of who He is.

Faith is a gift, not something you manufacture

One of the most freeing truths about faith is that it’s not something you have to work up on your own. Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast." KJV "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says, “For by graceWhat is grace?God's unearned favor toward us - a free gift of righteousness and forgiveness through Jesus, not earned by our performance. Read full answer → are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Even the faith you exercise is a gift. Galatians 2:20 WEB "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." KJV "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." Galatians 2:20 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter reveals something remarkable - we live “by the faith of the Son of God.” It’s not even primarily your faith; it’s Christ’s faith working in you. 2 Peter 1:1 WEB "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:" KJV "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Simon: or, Symeon God: Gr...." 2 Peter 1:1 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says believers have “obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousnessWhat is righteousness?Right standing with God or man. Being right with God is something we can't earn but receive as a gift through faith in Jesus. Read full answer → of God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”

You’re not responsible for manufacturing faith from nothing. God gave you faith. Your responsibility is to use what He’s given and not let unbelief cancel it out.

Faith grows by hearing God’s Word

If faith comes by hearing the Word of God, then growing your faith is simple: fill your heart and mind with Scripture. The more you hear God’s truth, the more your faith becomes effective. Romans 10:17 WEB "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." KJV "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter makes this clear - “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ.”

This isn’t just reading words on a page. It’s meditating on God’s promisesWhat does it mean to meditate on Scripture?Transforming your mind with God's Word by pondering truth and letting it renew your thinking. Full answer coming soon… , speaking them out loud, and letting them sink deep into your heart. When you consistently expose yourself to what God says about you, about His character, and about His promises, faith rises naturally.

If you constantly feed on doubt - negative news, fearful thoughts, or lies about yourself and God’s character - your faith weakens. Your effective faith is the difference between the faith you’re given and the unbelief you’re tolerating. Conquer unbeliefHow do I overcome doubt?Get to know God better. Faith grows when you focus on His Word instead of circumstances. Trust Him. Full answer coming soon… by replacing it with Scripture.

Faith must overcome unbelief

Everyone has been given a measure of faith ( Romans 12:3 WEB "For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each..." KJV "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly , according as God hath dealt to every man..." Romans 12:3 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter ). Jesus said that faith the size of a mustard seed could move a mountain ( Mark 11:23 WEB "For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever..." KJV "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he..." Mark 11:23 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter ). So why don’t we see more mountains moving?

The issue isn’t lack of faith - it’s unbelief working against it. Think of it like a balance scale: faith on one side, unbelief on the other. Your effective faith is what remains after unbelief is subtracted.

Unbelief comes from many sources - incorrect doctrine, negative circumstances, past disappointments, or simply not knowing what God’s Word says. The solution is to aggressively conquer unbelief with Scripture.

Romans 4:19-21 WEB "Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet, looking to the promise of..." KJV "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through..." Romans 4:19-21 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says Abraham “staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; and being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform.” Abraham chose not to consider the contradicting circumstances. He refused doubt. You can do the same by filling your mind with truth until you’re fully persuaded.

Philemon 1:6 WEB "that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus." KJV "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." Philemon 1:6 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter puts it this way - your faith becomes effective by acknowledging every good thing that is in you in Christ. You choose to focus on what Christ did rather than the doubt that circumstances bring.

Real faith produces action

Faith isn’t passive. James 2:17-18 WEB "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith." KJV "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone . alone: Gr. by itself Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my..." James 2:17-18 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says, “Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, ‘You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.’”

This doesn’t mean you’re saved by worksIs salvation by faith alone, or faith plus works?Salvation is by grace through faith alone. That faith produces good works in you, but the works aren't what saves you. Full answer coming soon… - Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast." KJV "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter is clear that salvationWhat is salvation?Salvation is being made right with God through faith in Jesus Christ. Its how we gain eternal life and get to know God. Full answer coming soon… is by grace through faith, not works. But genuine faith naturally produces action. You’re not saved by good works, but you are saved unto good works ( Ephesians 2:10 WEB "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them." KJV "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. ordained: or, prepared" Ephesians 2:10 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter ).

If you truly believe God’s promises, you’ll act on them. If you believe He hears prayer, you’ll pray. If you believe He provides, you won’t be consumed with worry. If you believe He’s called you to something, you’ll step out in obedience.

Faith and works aren’t opposedIs salvation by faith alone, or faith plus works?Salvation is by grace through faith alone. That faith produces good works in you, but the works aren't what saves you. Full answer coming soon… - they work together. James 2:22 WEB "You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;" KJV "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Seest: or, Thou seest" James 2:22 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter says, “You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected.”

What faith is NOT

Not a feeling you work up - faith is confident trust in God’s Word, whether you feel it or not
Not believing harder in your own ability - it’s resting in what Christ has done, not your performance
Not passive acceptance - real faith moves you to action, even when circumstances look contrary
Not something you lose when you stumble - genuine faith continues and perseveres, even through failure

Key scriptures

Romans 10:17 WEB "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." KJV "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - faith comes by hearing the Word of Christ
Hebrews 11:1 WEB "Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen." KJV "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. substance: or, ground, or, confidence" Hebrews 11:1 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen
Ephesians 2:8-9 WEB "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast." KJV "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - salvation is by grace through faith, not of works
Galatians 2:20 WEB "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." KJV "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." Galatians 2:20 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - we live by the faith of the Son of God
James 2:17 WEB "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself." KJV "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone . alone: Gr. by itself" James 2:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - faith without works is dead
Mark 11:23 WEB "For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever..." KJV "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he..." Mark 11:23 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - faith without doubt moves mountains
Romans 4:19-21 WEB "Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet, looking to the promise of..." KJV "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through..." Romans 4:19-21 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Abraham’s faith refused to consider contradicting circumstances
2 Peter 1:1 WEB "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:" KJV "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Simon: or, Symeon God: Gr...." 2 Peter 1:1 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - we’ve obtained the same precious faith through Christ’s righteousness
John 1:12 WEB "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:" KJV "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege" John 1:12 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God

INTERNAL

Resources

Research Notes

From The Good News Slides

Faith comes by hearing the Word (Slide 71):

Everyone has been given the measure of faith
Faith of a mustard seed can move mountains ( Mark 11:23 WEB "For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever..." KJV "For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he..." Mark 11:23 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter )
Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word ( Romans 10:17 WEB "So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." KJV "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter )
Effective faith = Faith - Unbelief
Conquer unbelief (ignorance, incorrect doctrine) with Scripture
Walk by faith, not by sight ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 WEB "for we walk by faith, not by sight." KJV "(For we walk by faith, not by sight:)" 2 Corinthians 5:7 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter )

It’s Christ’s faith in us (Slide 31, 71):

Galatians 2:20 WEB "I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. That life which I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." KJV "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself..." Galatians 2:20 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - “I live by the faith of the Son of God”
Galatians 2:16 WEB "yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by the..." KJV "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the..." Galatians 2:16 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Justified by the faith of Jesus Christ, not works
2 Peter 1:1 WEB "Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a like precious faith with us in the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:" KJV "Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: Simon: or, Symeon God: Gr...." 2 Peter 1:1 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - We’ve obtained like precious faith through Christ’s righteousness
Philemon 1:6 WEB "that the fellowship of your faith may become effective, in the knowledge of every good thing which is in us in Christ Jesus." KJV "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus." Philemon 1:6 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith becomes effectual by acknowledging every good thing in you in Christ

Abraham’s example of refusing doubt (Slide 18):

Romans 4:3 WEB "For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”" KJV "For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness." Romans 4:3 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Abraham believed God and it was counted as righteousness
Romans 4:19-21 WEB "Without being weakened in faith, he didn’t consider his own body, already having been worn out, (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah’s womb. Yet, looking to the promise of..." KJV "And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah's womb: He staggered not at the promise of God through..." Romans 4:19-21 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - He didn’t consider his own dead body or Sarah’s womb; didn’t stagger at God’s promise through unbelief; was strong in faith, giving glory to God; fully persuaded that what God promised, He was able to perform
Hebrews 11:1 WEB "Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen." KJV "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. substance: or, ground, or, confidence" Hebrews 11:1 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things not seen
1 John 5:4 WEB "For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith." KJV "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." 1 John 5:4 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith is the victory that overcomes the world

Faith must produce action (Slide 19):

James 1:22 WEB "But be doers of the word, and not only hearers, deluding your own selves." KJV "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." James 1:22 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Be doers of the Word, not hearers only
James 2:14 WEB "What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith, but has no works? Can faith save him?" KJV "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?" James 2:14 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - What profit if someone says he has faith but has no works?
James 2:17-18 WEB "Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead in itself. Yes, a man will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I by my works will show you my faith." KJV "Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone . alone: Gr. by itself Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my..." James 2:17-18 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith without works is dead; show me your faith by your works
James 2:20 WEB "But do you want to know, vain man, that faith apart from works is dead?" KJV "But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?" James 2:20 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith without works is useless
James 2:22 WEB "You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected;" KJV "Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? Seest: or, Thou seest" James 2:22 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Faith worked with his works, and by works faith was made perfect
Hebrews 11:33 WEB "who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions," KJV "Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions," Hebrews 11:33 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Through faith they conquered kingdoms, administered justice, gained promises

Faith without doubt (Slide 143):

Matthew 21:21-22 WEB "Jesus answered them, “Most certainly I tell you, if you have faith, and don’t doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you told this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into..." KJV "Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be..." Matthew 21:21-22 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - If you have faith and do not doubt, you can move mountains; all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive

Saved by grace through faith (Slide 134, 43):

Ephesians 2:8-10 WEB "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good..." KJV "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good..." Ephesians 2:8-10 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - By grace saved through faith, not of yourselves, it’s God’s gift; not of works; created unto good works
Acts 16:31 WEB "They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”" KJV "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Acts 16:31 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved
John 3:16 WEB "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." KJV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
John 6:29 WEB "Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”" KJV "Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent." John 6:29 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - The work of God is that you believe on Him whom He sent
Romans 3:28 WEB "We maintain therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law." KJV "Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law." Romans 3:28 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Justified by faith without works of the law
Romans 4:22-25 WEB "Therefore it also was “credited to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written that it was accounted to him for his sake alone, but for our sake also, to whom it will be accounted, who believe in..." KJV "And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to him; But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that..." Romans 4:22-25 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Abraham’s faith was imputed to him as righteousness, and to us who believe

From Discipleship Evangelism

The object of faith is Christ Himself (Lesson 7):

A.W. Tozer: “The only true object of saving faith is none other than Christ Himself; not the ‘saviourhood’ of Christ nor the ‘lordship’ of Christ, but Christ Himself”
We cannot accept one office of Christ and reject another - all are embodied in His person
Marriage analogy: A bride doesn’t want you to take just her benefits; she wants you to take her as a person
John 1:12 WEB "But as many as received him, to them he gave the right to become God’s children, to those who believe in his name:" KJV "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: power: or, the right, or, privilege" John 1:12 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God”
Romans 7:4 WEB "Therefore, my brothers, you also were made dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you would be joined to another, to him who was raised from the dead, that we might produce fruit to God." KJV "Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto..." Romans 7:4 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - We’re married to Christ; we take all of Him, not just parts
“Lord” means Master and Ruler; “Jesus” means Savior; “Christ” means Anointed King

Faith continues throughout Christian life (Lesson 12):

Faith begins as a complete one-time action (aorist tense) but continues (present tense)
John 3:16 WEB "For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life." KJV "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter in Greek: “believes and continues to believe”
Both Calvinism and Arminianism agree genuine saving faith produces fruit
Fruit is the test of faith’s reality, though not perfection
Ephesians 2:8-10 WEB "for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good..." KJV "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good..." Ephesians 2:8-10 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Not saved BY good works, but saved UNTO good works
Works are a test of faith’s reality ( Acts 26:18 WEB "to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in..." KJV "To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith..." Acts 26:18 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter , 1 John 1:8 WEB "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." KJV "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter )

Water baptism as expression of faith (Lesson 8):

Baptism is an outward expression of inward faith
Faith is what saves, not the act of baptism
Acts 10:43 WEB "All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.”" KJV "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Acts 10:43 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness through His name
Mark 16:16 WEB "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned." KJV "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16 BibleGateway · BibleHub · Blue Letter - “He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned”
Baptism requires repentance - a change of heart resulting in turning from sin to Jesus