Colossians

As mentioned earlier Colossians directly ties the phrase "through the faith" to baptism.

Col 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 

We know from this that through faith doesn't rule out baptism as a real operation of God, not just a symbol.

Colossians also uses the term grace prior to this explanation.

Col 1:6  Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 

They had been taught by Epaphrus and Paul, and the rest of the letter fills in factual details about the Gospel and the theology associated, the theology they were instructed in.

Col 1:7  As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; 

Both grace and faith are associated with baptism in Colossians, as is the need to walk worthy and keep learning.

Col 1:10  That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;