Faith Only?

Many denominations teach that a person is saved when he believes in Jesus, repents of his sins and asks Jesus into his heart. The most commonly used verse to prove this is John 3:16. Of course, faith in Jesus is the cornerstone of a Christian life, but we teach that belief is the beginning of the conversion process. 

Let’s look at other verses from the book of John, John 8:24-36. In this passage, Jesus is talking to the scribes and Pharisees. He tells them if they do not believe in Him, they will die in their sins. As he spoke to them of the Father, many of these listeners believed in him. Jesus did not then say that they would not die in their sins because they now believed in Him. Instead, He said to those scribes and Pharisees that believed on Him, that they were to continue in His Word. Then they would know the Truth and the Truth would set them free. He goes on to explain to them that they were servants of sin. He said this to them, even though they believed in Him.
Romans 6:16-18 talks about being servants of sin. How is one set free from sin? Belief and repentance are a necessary part of the salvation plan but Romans 6: 3-7 states that the body of sin is crucified with Jesus in baptism. Baptism is an important part of the plan. This is the way through which one is set free from sin.