It seems to me that you are placing a LOT of emphasis on "FAITHING coming from a Greek word of "Pisteuo".
Then you stated.......
"Knowing Jesus isn't a prerequisite to fulfilling pisteuo and continually surrendered life. "
You are speaking to us in a high level of deep understanding so allow me to bring this back down to the "country boy" level.
So, let me ask you this question based on the following scenario from Acts 10:44-48. Now pay attention to the text. ........
"While Peter was still speaking these words, (what words?)'????
Acts 10:43.........
"Or Him all the prophets bear witness that through His/Jesus Christ name everyone WHO BELIEVES in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
Back to vs44.......
"was still speaking these words, the HOLY SPIRIT fell upon all those who were listening to the message.
vs45,......................
" And all the circumcised "BELIEVERS" (past tense and there's that pesty word that starts with a "B") who had come with Peter were amazed, (Why?) ???
Because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also.
vs46.........
"For (or becasue) they were hearinhg them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered in verse 47........
"Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit JUST AS WE DID"
( can he?)
Vs48, .........
"And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days."
So, my question then is .... what did these new converts do in order to receive the Holy Spirit? They "BELIEVED."
And notice they received the Holy Spirit "BEFORE" they were water baptized.
Now, what is the Greek word for "believing" at vs43 and the Greek word for "believers" at vs45?
Great question Major, the Greek doesn't have the words believe, believer, and believing in their language. Pisteuo was mistranslated into the English language, and then mistranslated back out and stamped onto the Greek. So when asking an English source what the word "believe' is in in Greek , it will tell you pisteuo. The Greek only has pisteuo, continually moving towards something, and Apisteuo the reverse action continually moving away from something. They don't acknowledge a state of being where one is in a neutral or only believing. Makes it extra difficult to explain this.