The following is the way a person establishes a relationship with the living God. Because human beings are sinners, they are incapable of doing anything which would merit God's pleasure or favor. Since God is holy, humans deserve punishment for breaking God's Law and offending Him. Click here to view these three references Click here to view these three references Click here to view these two references Through Faith Salvation is by grace alone through, or because of, a person's faith. God gives His forgiveness willingly because an individual places complete confidence in God.
Faith is more than intellectual agreement with a statement or concept.
Faith is that sort of belief plus an abiding and growing trust in God just because He is God. Click here to view these three references Click here to view these two references Click here to view these two references At Baptism Grace is the reason for the gift of salvation, faith is means by which God gives His gift rather than His displeasure, and baptism is the time He receives you into His family. Physical baptism is an immersion in water. At the identical moment that an individual is immersed in water, they are also plunged into the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit who cleanses and renews a human being's spirit.