Ven. Bodhi’s note from “Middle Length Discourses”:
According to the Abhidhamma system, with its conception of the supramundane path as lasting for
only a single mind-moment, both the faith-follower and the Dhamma-follower should be such for
only the one mind-moment of the path. This interpretation, however, though advocated by the
commentaries, is difficult to reconcile with the Nikayas. For an interesting discussion of the two
models, see Gethin, The Buddhist Path to Awakening, pp. 129
And support from SN 25.3:
One who has conviction & belief that these phenomena are this way is called a faith-follower: one who has entered the orderliness of rightness, entered the plane of people of integrity, transcended the plane of the run-of-the-mill. He is incapable of doing any deed by which he might be reborn in hell, in the animal womb, or in the realm of hungry shades. He is incapable of passing away until he has realized the fruit of stream-entry.
"One who, after pondering with a modicum of discernment, has accepted that these phenomena are this way is called a Dhamma-follower: one who has entered the orderliness of rightness, entered the plane of people of integrity, transcended the plane of the run-of-the-mill. He is incapable of doing any deed by which he might be reborn in hell, in the animal womb, or in the realm of hungry shades. He is incapable of passing away until he has realized the fruit of stream-entry.