Rom.4:5...." But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness".When are you going to see that placing your own belief trust and confidence in Jesus then claiming salvation for your own belief trust and confidence IS to trust in your own abiblity to save yourself. What say does God have??? What proof that God even hears you?
You are confusing faith with the law. If a person is trusting in his own ability he is trusting in his works of law. If He is trusting in the saving grace of God through the death and resurrection of His Son, this is faith. Faith is the means by which we recieve a free gift from God. Where is the ability there? Faith exalts the ability of God to save. Sounds to me like you don't understand what faith is.
Here is more scripture:... Rom.4:20 (speaking of Abraham).." He did not waiver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God" Faith gives glory to God, not to self or man. Faith accepts God at His word.
vs.21,22..." and being fully convinced that what God had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore it was accounted to him as righteousness". vs.23,24....." Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead".
Rom.10:9,10.." that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in yur heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" vs.11-13..." For the scripture says, "whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame" For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord IS RICH TO ALL WHO CALL UPON HIM. For whoever calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved".
The new birth comes by faith in God, the acceptance of His promise. (John3:16) The baptism of the Holy Spirit is a separate experience. It can happen at the same time as the new birth, but not necessarily at the same time. The Holy Spirit was given as a councellor, a teacher, a comforter, He who quickens the mortal body, He who empowers us to be a witness to the world, He who gives us the assurance of our inheritance.The actual acceptance of God is when you are empowered by the Holy Spirit....the fire comes down.