The Bible on Trusting God: Faith, Salvation, and the Role of Jesus Christ

The question of trusting God is central to Christianity. This article explores how the Bible, particularly the New Testament, addresses the concepts of faith, salvation, and the role of Jesus Christ as revealed in passages such as Ephesians, Romans, John, and Acts.

Is There One Faith and One Baptism?

The Bible asserts that there is one true faith and one baptism. This unity is not only doctrinal but also emphasizes the importance of belief in Jesus Christ. The Book of Ephesians (Eph 4:4-6) states, 'There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call. One Lord, one faith, one baptism,' underscoring the unity of believers in Christ.

Jesus, the founder of the Christian faith, established His church with apostles and prophets (Matt 16:18-19). However, the true nature of the Godhead and whether certain doctrines are from God or men's inventions is still a subject of debate. The New Testament, through texts such as Ephesians 2:8-9, teaches that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone ('For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.').

Faith as the Condition for Salvation

One of the most important texts in the New Testament regarding faith and salvation is Romans 10:17, which states, “So then faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” This passage underscores that faith does not come from works but from hearing the message of Christ.

Jesus Himself also affirms that believing in Him gives eternal life. In John 5:24, He says, “Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned, but has passed out of death into life.” This highlights the necessity of faith in Jesus for salvation.

Evidence for Faith

Christian faith is not merely a matter of blind belief. It is rooted in historical evidence, specifically the eyewitness testimony of miracles performed by Jesus and His apostles. In John 10:37, Jesus affirms the necessity of evidence for belief, stating, “If I do not do the works of my Father, do not believe me. But if I do them, even if you do not believe me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me and I am in the Father.”

Acts further reinforces the importance of these eyewitness testimonies. For example, in Acts 2:22, Peter declares, “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs which God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know.” Similarly, Paul, in Acts 17:31, asserts the need for God's judgment on earth, stating, “For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead.”

Belief in Jesus for Eternal Life

The apostle Paul, in Acts 16:30-31, encourages a serious truth-seeker, asking, “What must I do to be saved?” Leading to the response, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” This passage directly points to the necessity of faith in Jesus for salvation.

Belief in Jesus ensures eternal life and protection from condemnation, as seen in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

Salvation and Kingdoms

The Bible clearly distinguishes between those who believe in Christ and enter the Kingdom of God and those who do not and remain in the Kingdom of Satan. In Luke 16:27-31, Jesus teaches about the necessity of following His words to avoid the torment of hell. Salvation, according to the Bible, comes exclusively through faith in Christ, and is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. (Eph 2:8-9).

To be a true follower of Christ, one must confess sins, repent, and turn to Jesus Christ alone as the Lord and Savior for eternal life. True salvation in Jesus Christ opens the door for Jehovah God to lead into His eternal kingdom. As Paul writes in Romans 10:13, “For “all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Ultimately, faith in God, specifically in Jesus Christ, is a central aspect of Christian belief. It involves understanding and accepting the testimony of the eyewitnesses and the teaching of Scripture, rather than merely following the whims of self-proclaimed religious leaders. God emphasizes the importance of personal faith and direct communication with Him, as He Himself proclaims, ‘‘I am the Lord, the King of Israel, my hand has made this. Open your mouth, I will give you the message to proclaim’ Psalm 81:16’