Faith is a multi-faceted word. Its meanings are many, depending on its context. Faith can be viewed from a literal or a theological standpoint. That is what we want to briefly consider here.
Faith expressed theologically
Justification by faith is a theological expression, not a literal one. Justification means that a person has been freed from the record and guilt of his sins. In biblical language, those sins have been remitted, or, washed away (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Therefore, justification equates to remission of sins.
The Bible clearly reveals that remission of sins literally takes place through baptism in Jesus’ name. It is stated in black and white (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Incidentally, that is how baptism saves (Mark 16:15-16; 1Peter 3:21). Paul’s theology of justification by faith does not contradict this truth. In fact, Paul’s own conversion experience proves it (Acts 22:16). And his re-baptism of people who had been believers in Jesus for over twenty years profoundly corroborates the necessity of baptism in Jesus’ name for salvation (Acts 19:1-6).
One of the purposes of the book of Acts is so that we can understand Paul’s theology. The Epistles, most of which were written by the Apostle Paul, are consequent upon the evangelism of Acts, most of which was done by Paul. About half of the book of Acts is taken up with Paul’s conversion and ministry. Acts records his three missionary journeys. Proper hermeneutics require that his Epistles be interpreted is this important historical light.
Paul’s theology of justification by faith simply means that we have received forgiveness and remission of sins by placing our faith in Christ Jesus. But that theology also stresses that justification is through the redemption Christ has provided in the Gospel (Romans 3:24). The tenets of this redemption are revealed in Scripture— both in Jesus’ Great Commission and in its fulfillment, beginning on the Day of Pentecost. As mentioned earlier, Paul himself obeyed these very tenets and received remission of sins through baptism (Acts 22:16).
Literal faith
Literal faith in Christ results in obedience to His Word, of which the tenets of salvation are paramount. Baptism in Jesus’ name is explicitly expressed, even by Christ Himself, to be for the remission of sins (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 22:16). All those who were baptized in the book of Acts (chapters 2,8,9,10,16,18,19) had literal faith in Christ and, through that tenet of redemption provided by Him, received remission of sins. Theologically, this process of faith is expressed as justification by faith since it is predicated on faith in the Person of Christ (1Corinthians 6:9-11). It is also referred to in the Scriptures as justification by grace since redemption, at its irreducible base, is the provision of the grace of God (Romans 3:24; Titus 3:7).