Are all men then, as they perished in Adam, saved by Christ?
No;1 only those who are ingrafted into him, and, receive all his benefits, by a true faith.2
What is true faith?
True faith is not only a certain knowledge, whereby I hold for truth all that God has revealed to us in his word,3 but also an assured confidence,4 which the Holy Ghost5 works by the gospel in my heart;6 that not only to others, but to me also, remission of sin, everlasting righteousness and salvation,7 are freely given by God, merely of grace, only for the sake of Christ's merits.8
2 Mark 16:16; John 1:12; John 3:16, 18, 36; Isa. 53:11; Ps. 2:12; Rom. 11:17, 19, 20; Rom. 3:22; Heb. 4:2, 3; Heb. 5:9 ; Heb. 10:39; Heb. 11:6.
4 2 Cor. 4:13; Eph. 2:7-9; Eph. 3:12; Gal. 2:16; Heb. 11:1, 7-10; Heb. 4:16; James 1:6; Matt. 16:17; Philip. 1:19; Rom. 4:16-21; Rom. 5:1; Rom. 1:16; Rom. 10:10, 17; Rom. 3 :24.25.