What does the Bible say about the order of salvation?

In John 1:6-13, the order of salvation is laid out clearly: first, there is the light, which refers to Jesus Christ, followed by the witness, which is the testimony of believers about Christ. This sequence is purposeful and demonstrates God's sovereignty in salvation. The new birth must occur before one can have faith, meaning that the heart must first be regenerated by the Spirit before any true belief can take place. This divine order underscores that faith and assurance come from God’s initiating work rather than human decision or effort.