Faith is active and visible, not something that occures "in your heart".

Let me begin by thanking my opponent for offering a great topic for debate. Before we start, I will admit that I will be using several translations of the Bible, but chiefly, The New King James Version. I will start by defining faith, and stating Ephesians 2:8-9, as they are pivotal to the debate. I will then speak to salvation and the role of works in the process. Afterwards, I will explain how our faith is not what is visible but God's works accomplished through us. Hebrews 11: 1 KJV defines faith, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV, "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." My opponent has stated "that there are certain actions required of us before we are united with the cleansing power of the Blood of Christ." I agree with my opponent that "scripture is very clear" on what is needed in order to be saved, or in his words, "united with the Blood of Christ." However, it would hardly be a debate if we had the same conclusion. Concerning Salvation the Bible says thus: "but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness--for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:24 NIV "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 "He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." John 3:16-18 NKJV "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 NKJV Believing, or having faith, is not an action in the way that witnessing and ministering are. Indeed there is an action involved, but it is not generated by the believer, "it is the gift of God". So, in other words the action is not "required on our part." God is the active agent. None of the verses above imply additional visible action after or before believing. Galatians 2:20-21 " I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain." Consider, please, Hebrews 11: 4-12 "By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, "and was not found, because God had taken him"; [a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. 7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith. 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude"innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore." Hebrews 11: 4-12 NKJV "And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens." Hebrews 11: 32-34 NKJV What is my point? "By faith" they were able to do these things. It was not the Israelite's faith that brought down the walls of Jericho, no, it was God acting because of their faith. Because of Enoch's faith God took him away and he did not see death. Because of Abraham's faith God gave him the Promised Land. Because of Sarah's faith God gave her the ability to conceive a child. Because of Noah's faith God saved his family. It is not our faith that is active and visible but God working miracles, however slight or grand, because of our faith. Grace, salvation, mercy, and faith are things given by God to the believer. God is the active agent. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 KJV