Galatians 3:26, "For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus." This verse tells how, through what means or by what action the saved are children of God by faith. The next verse says: "FOR as many of you as have been BAPTIZED INTO Christ have PUT ON CHRIST."

Faith is an essential part of salvation in that there is no salvation without it. However, faith alone, does not bring salvation. Faith is nothing in and of itself. "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone...faith without works is dead...by works a man is justified, and not by faith only...faith without works is dead" (James 2:17,20,24,26).

By faith, one is baptized INTO Christ in order to have his sins washed away (Acts 22:16; Rom. 6:3-6). This is the process of being "born again" (John 3:3-5) wherein one is raised up from baptism to walk a new life, being THEN made free from sin (Rom. 6:4,18). Without faith, baptism is in vain.

All actions approved of God are done according to God's authority; and, therefore, are done BY FAITH. That is, without faith, whatever we do does not meet with God's approval. We, by faith, REPENT of our sins (Acts 2:38). By faith, we CONFESS Jesus as the Christ (Rom. 10:10). By faith, we are BAPTIZED FOR the forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). By faith, we're FAITHFUL that we might stand approved in his sight (Rev. 2:10). ALL that we do, we do BY FAITH! Therefore, we are "children of God by faith, FOR as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Salvation is BY FAITH but only WHEN faith moves one to do what God said do to be saved! Abraham was justified by "faith" (Rom. 4:1-9) and "works" (James 2:21-23). "Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness."

Salvation does not come at the point of faith, but WHEN faith acts or works to do what God has commanded.

--Garland M. Robinson

You should know that, in the Bible, the church is called---
The temple of God (I Cor. 3:16).
The bride of Christ (Eph. 5:22-32).
The body of Christ (Col. 1:18,24; Eph. 1:22-23).
The kingdom of God's Son (Col. 1:13).
The house of God (I Tim. 3:15).
The church of God (I Cor. 1:2).
The church of the firstborn (Heb. 12:23).
The church of the Lord (Acts 20:28).
The churches of Christ (Rom. 16:16).

You should know that the church is---
Built by Jesus Christ (Matt. 16:13-18).
Purchased by the blood of Christ (Acts 20:28).
Built on Jesus Christ as the only foundation (I Cor. 3:11).
Not built on Peter, Paul or any other man (I Cor. 1:12-13).
Composed of the saved, who are added to it by the Lord Who saves them (Acts 2:47).

You should know that members of the church are called---
Members of Christ (I Cor. 12:27; I Cor. 6:15; Rom. 12:4-5).
Disciples of Christ (Acts 6:1,7; Acts 11:26).
Believers (Acts 5:14; II Cor. 6:15).
Saints (Acts 9:13; Rom. 1:7; Phil. 1:1).
Priests (I Peter 2:5,9; Rev. 1:6).
Children of God (Gal. 3:26-27; I John 3:1-2).
Christians (Acts 11:26; 26:28; I Peter 4:16).

You should know that the local church has---
Elders (also called bishops and pastors) who oversee and tend the flock (I Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9; I Peter 5:1-4).
Deacons, who serve the church (I Tim. 3:8-13; Phil. 1:1).
Evangelists (preachers, ministers), who teach and proclaim the word of God (Eph. 4:11; I Tim. 4:13-16; II Tim. 4:1-5).
Members, who love the Lord and each other (Phil. 2:1-5).
Autonomy, and is bound to other local churches only by the common faith shared (Jude 3; Gal. 5:1).

You should know that the Lord Jesus Christ---
Loved the church (Eph. 5:25).
Shed His blood for the church (Acts 20:28).
Established the church (Matt. 16:18).
Adds saved people to the church (Acts 2:47).
Is the head of the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 5:23).
Will save the church (Acts 2:47; Eph. 5:23).

You should know that man did not---
Purpose the church (Eph. 3:10-11).
Purchase the church (Acts 20:28; Eph. 5:25).
Name its members (Isaiah 56:5; Isaiah 62:2;
Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16).
Add people to the church (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 12:18).
Give the church its doctrine (Gal. 1:8-11; II John 9-11).

You should know that, to enter the church, you must---
Believe in Jesus Christ (Heb. 11:6; John 8:24; Acts 16:31).
Repent of your sins (Luke 13:3; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Acts 17:30).
Confess faith in Jesus (Matt. 10:32; Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10).
Be baptized (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16).

You should know that baptism requires---
Much water (John 3:23; Acts 10:47).
Going down into the water (Acts 8:36-38).
A burial in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12).
A resurrection (Acts 8:39; Rom. 6:4; Col. 2:12).
A birth (John 3:3-5; Rom. 6:3-6).
A washing (Acts 22:16; Heb. 10:22).

You should know that by baptism---
You are saved from sins (Mark 16:16; I Peter 3:21).
You have remission of sins (Acts 2:38).
Sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Acts 22:16; Heb. 9:22; Heb. 10:22; I Peter 3:21).
You enter into the church (I Cor. 12:13; Acts 2:41,47).
You enter into Christ (Gal. 3:26-27; Rom. 6:3-4).
You put on Christ and become a child of God (Gal. 3:26-27).
You walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6).
You are born again, a new creature (Rom. 6:3-4; II Cor. 5:17).
You obey Christ (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 10:48; II Thess. 1:7-9).

You should know that the faithful church will---
Worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:23-24).
Meet on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7; Heb. 10:25).
Pray (James 5:16; Acts 2:42; I Tim. 2:1-2; I Thess. 5:17).
Sing, making melody with the heart (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16).
Eat the Lord's Supper on the first day of each week (Acts 2:42; Acts 20:7; Matt. 26:26-30; I Cor. 11:20-32.,
Give, liberally and cheerfully (I Cor. 16:1-2; II Cor. 8:1-5; II Cor. 9:6-8).

You should know that, in the New Testament, there was---
One family of God (Eph. 3:15; I Tim. 3:15).
One kingdom of Christ (Matt. 16:18-19; Col. 1:13-14).
One body of Christ (Col. 1:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:4).
One bride of Christ (Rom. 7:1-7; Eph. 5:22-32).
One church of Christ (Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23; Eph. 4:4-6).

You should know that the same church today---
Is guided by the same word (I Peter 1:22-23; II Tim. 3:16-17).
Contends for the one faith (Jude 3; Eph. 4:5).
Pleads for unity of all believers (John 17:20-21; Eph. 4:4-6).
Is not a denomination (I Cor. 1:10-13; Eph. 4:1-6).
Is faithful to Christ (Luke 6:46; Rev. 2:10; Mark 8:38).
Wears the name of Christ (Rom. 16:16; Acts 11:26; I Peter 4:16).

You should know that you can be a member of this church---
By doing what people did 1900 years ago (Acts 2:36-47).
Without being in any denomination (Acts 2:47; I Cor. 1:10-13).

You should know that a child of God---
Can be lost (I Cor. 9:27; I Cor. 10:12; Gal. 5:4; Heb. 3:12-19).
But is given a law of pardon (Acts 8:22; James 5:16).
Is constantly cleansed by the blood of Christ as he walks in the light of God (I Peter 2:9-10; I John 1:5-10).
Borrowed from "Gospel Minutes"