Both in the OT and in the NT faith is the only basis of salvation. Faith is the means by which God's grace in Christ, and with him the blessings of salvation, is received. Paul's doctrine of justification by faith emphasises the centrality of faith in the Christian life.
Salvation by faith in the OT
Look at the proud one; his soul is not upright — but the righteous will live by faith —
The faith of Abraham and other individuals
Genesis 15:6 See also Romans 4:9–16 Abraham, the father of those righteous by faith; Hebrews 11:4 Abel; Hebrews 11:5 Enoch; Hebrews 11:7 Noah
Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness.
Salvation by faith in the NT
Romans 1:16–17 See also 1 Corinthians 1:21; Philippians 3:8–9
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, then to the Greek. 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.”
Salvation through faith alone
Ephesians 2:8–9 See also Romans 3:27–28, Romans 4:1–8; Psalm 32:1–2; Romans 9:30–32; Galatians 3:10–14; Deuteronomy 27:26
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.
Salvation is by faith in Jesus Christ
John 3:14–16 Being “lifted up” is a reference to Jesus Christ's death on the cross; Romans 10:9–10 The necessity of outward confession, as evidence of personal faith in Jesus Christ. See also John 8:24; Acts 8:37, Acts 13:38–39; Romans 3:21–26, Romans 4:24; 2 Corinthians 4:13–14; Galatians 3:22
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. 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.
that 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.
Salvation is for all who believe
Romans 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 Acts 15:7–9; Romans 3:29–30
For Christ is the end of the law, to bring righteousness to everyone who believes.
Salvation is for those who persevere in their faith
Colossians 1:21–23 See also Hebrews 3:14, Hebrews 6:11–12
Once you were alienated from God and were hostile in your minds, engaging in evil deeds. But now He has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy, unblemished, and blameless in His presence — if indeed you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope of the gospel you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.
Saving faith shows itself in action
What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him?
Blessings of salvation received through faith
Justification and peace with God
See also Romans 5:1–2; Galatians 2:15–16, Galatians 5:5
Forgiveness
Adoption into God's family
The gift of the Holy Spirit
John 7:38–39; Galatians 3:2; Ephesians 1:13
Jesus Christ in the heart
Protection through God's power
Access to God
Sanctification
New life
Eternal life
John 3:16, John 3:36, John 5:24, John 6:40, John 6:47
Victory over death
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.