The focus of Grace Apologetics 101 is to drive home the biblical reasoning of what one must do to be saved. The contextually sound and hermeneutically grounded basis for being saved. Meaning what is REQUIRED for eternal life. Just the subject of Soteriology, separate from any works that we as believers should do; works that are scripturally not required to do for salvation.
As for “works” the “Doctrine of Rewards” is where it matters. I intend to spend some time on the doctrine of “rewards and works” in a later post. It is then I hope to lay the groundwork to biblically reveal, that, and how, “works” are significant, important, and required!
We are going to examine many scriptures, in context, from New Testament writers, but especially John and Paul, the two most prolific writers of the New Testament. We will first examine the words of Jesus himself with the intent of setting the precedence of what one must do to have eternal life.
We will also discuss some words such as “Eternal, Never, Believe, etc.” We will bring the original languages of Greek and Aramaic into the discussion to further expound on these words and how they apply to us.
What did Jesus say happens when one just simply believes?
keep in mind that there are many things spoken by Jesus. These are the words that John was inspired by the Holy Spirit to record – the things that Jesus said the Holy Spirit would bring to remembrance.
**Considering that we are living in a different time. Therefore, for reference's sake let’s take today's definition of the word “believe” from any standard dictionary.
He uses the word PISTEUO (BELIEVE) repeatedly!
Believe [bih-leev]
verb (used without object), be·lieved, be·liev·ing.
To have confidence in the truth, the existence, or the reliability of something, although without absolute proof that one is right in doing so: Only if one believes in something can one act purposefully.
verb (used with object), be·lieved, be·liev·ing.
To have confidence or faith in the truth of (a positive assertion, story, etc.); give credence to. To have confidence in the assertions of (a person).
To have a conviction that (a person or thing) is, has been, or will be engaged in a given action or involved in a given situation.
To suppose or assume; understand (usually followed by a noun clause).
Verb Phrases:
believe in,
To be persuaded of the truth or existence of.
To have faith in the reliability, honesty, benevolence, etc., of.
Then let’s not forget the synonyms, there are too many for me to WANT to write. But my driving point is that there seems to be a common understanding of various biblical words and terms that most all of Christendom agree upon. But it seems the word “believe” means all kinds of things. For many who call themselves “christians” it means whatever he or she wants it to mean or needs it to mean. BUT… the word “believe,” or “to believe” precisely means this……………… BELIEVE! NOTHING ELSE, NOTHING VARIED, NOTHING DIFFERENT, AND NOTHING MORE!
In Greek “Believe” is translated as pisteuo. Jesus is not using random words. He uses the word PISTEUO (BELIEVE) repeatedly! One of the things you will learn when taking “Intro to Greek” is that it is an EXACTING language. Which is to simply say – “It means what it means and says what it says!” Greek words typically have one meaning and one meaning only, unlike English. So, in short, the Greek implies “a cognitive (mental accent) acceptance of something as true.” πιστεύω pisteúō, pist-yoo'-o; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ): —believe(-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.
Recognize the words Jesus used specifically.
Jesus is quoted by John as saying the following:
Regarding the woman at the well>
John 4: v10. > Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
v13. Jesus answered and said unto her, whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
v14. But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
As Jesus spoke to the women living in adultery, he was simply encouraging her to BELIEVE… nothing more!
Jesus speaking to “the Jews,” most likely Sadducees that were part of the Sanhedrin, after they were upset that He healed a cripple man on the Sabbath and then equated Himself as being equal with God >
John 5: v24. > Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
v38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
v46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
V47. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
Jesus as He addresses the five thousand that were just fed from five barley loaves and two small fish> John 6: v26. > Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. v27. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man(Jesus) shall (give unto you:) for him hath God the Father sealed. v29. Jesus answered and said unto them, this is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom (Jesus) he hath sent. v32. Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the true bread (Jesus) from heaven. v33. For the bread of God is he (Jesus) which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world. v35. And Jesus said unto them, I (Jesus) am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. v36. But I said unto you, that ye also have seen me, and believe not. v40. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day. v47. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlasting life. v48. I am that bread of life. v49. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness and are dead. v50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. v51. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat (eat, not “eats.” Eat once as in not having to continue to eat) of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world. v64. But THERE ARE SOME OF YOU THAT BELIEVE NOT. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. Throughout all that was recorded by John regarding the words of Jesus, there is one theme with two concepts. The one theme is “BELIEVING!” The two concepts are “TO” believe and its alternate - to “NOT” believe. This "Eternal life" that happens when one believes in Jesus… when does it happen?
Jesus’ indirect claim, at this point, is that those who come to believe in Him are in that very moment of believing, saved, born again, shall have eternal life, never to die; Not tomorrow, not next year, not someday in the unknown! This is a promise directly from the mouth of Jesus that those who believed in Him in the present moment possessed eternal life right then and there in the present moment as in the "present tense!"
Martha:
Jesus when speaking to Martha at the tomb of her brother Lazarus says in John 11: 14-15. > V14. Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless, let us go unto him. Put into layman terms, Jesus was really saying – my not being here was purposeful for the intention to allow you to believe that I AM the resurrection and life – right now!
Let’s continue the storyline regarding Martha. Martha goes on to say that she knows that her brother will rise at the resurrection at "the last day.” The Last Day is an Eschatology reference to Daniel’s seventh week in Dan. 9:27, the end of the Millennium. Keep in mind that Martha had, an Old Testament mindset and not one that benefits from other NT epistles nor the Book of Revelations. Martha knew, as all OT saints did, that SOMEDAY in the future there would be a resurrection of those that believed.
Jesus responds to Martha and says > John 11:25-26 v25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: v26. And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? The clincher, the question of all questions is the same today as it was then for Martha! DO YOU BELIEVE THIS? Back to the original question of … when does it happen? It happens now! Upon one believing Jesus is specifically the Messiah and the Son of God. Recognize and keep in mind that the scripture lays out before us in the midst of all the words recorded by John that never once did you hear about “works,” “doing things,” not even “repentance.”
**Works, doing things and repentance are very relevant once you become a believer and are born again. [Another subject for another day. The subject being that of the “Doctrine of Rewards;” clearly laid out in scripture. However, does NOT pertain to salvation. (1 Corinthians 3:15)]
The thief on the cross:
The interaction Jesus has with the thief on the cross says it all. Essentially, the thief recognized (had some sort of mental resolve, basically his own “ah ha” moment) that Jesus is who He said He claimed to be. So much so that the thief’s words were as follows:
Luke 23: v39. One of the criminals who had been hanged [on a cross beside Him] kept hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us [from death]!”
v40. But the other one rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation?
v.41 We are suffering justly, because we are getting what we deserve for what we have done; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
v42. And he was saying, “Jesus, [please] remember me when You come into Your kingdom!” (Recognized His heavenly Kingship)
v43. Jesus said to him, “I assure you and most solemnly say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.” (I prefer the AMP version for this one but compare it to the KJV.)
Jesus said – “Today!” What is that all about? If that is the case, then back to the title of this article – When did the early disciples first believe?
Andrew:
Let talk about Jesus’ first disciple… Andrew! When did he first believe? Let’s look. Let’s go to the time when Jesus is revealed to be the Son of God in John chapter 1. The very beginning of Jesus public ministry. Go to John 1:35-41. Andrew is one of John the Baptist disciples (vs.35) and as two disciples were standing with John, one of which is Andrew, John says – “Behold the Lamb of God!”
Later we read how Andrew sought out Jesus and spent time with Him vs. 37-39. As a result of this time spent with Jesus. Andrew goes to find his brother Simon. The same Simon that we come to know as Peter (Petros), and the first words out of the mouth of Andrew is one of belief. He says – “I have found the Messiah.” (vs.41)
Simon Peter: Then we read really nothing about Peter believing, at least yet! So, let’s jump to the third disciple introduced to Jesus and that would be Phillip. Phillip: In vs. 43 Jesus goes into Galilee and finds Phillip and says to him – “Follow me.” You know something profound happened while in the presence of Jesus because Phillips first words upon finding the fourth disciple named Nathanael, in vs. 45, was also one of belief for he said – “We have found him of whom Moses in the law and the prophets did write…” Nathanael: As for Nathanael (vs.47-49), he was the outspoken realist among the first four. He held nothing back and spoke his mind thereby putting on display that he was an open book. That is why Jesus, upon meeting Nathanael said – “Behold an Israelite indeed, in who there is no guile (deceit).” However, Jesus quickly dispatches his sarcastic cynicism when He tells him that –” before Phillip even called thee, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael’s reply was one of belief as well. He responds – “Rabbi, thou art the Son of God, thou are the King of Israel.” Jesus in vs.50 goes on to confirm Nathanael’s belief when He said to him – “Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? thou shalt see greater things than these. As for Peter. His moment of mental assent or what one would truly call an “AH HA” believing moment is recorded five chapters later in John 6:68-69, as well as in Matt. 16:15-17 and Luke 9:20.
He does not come around in his belief in Jesus until a while after Jesus’ public ministry started. Jesus had already turned water into wine, dealt with a demoniac, healed young and old, and fed the five thousand. It was after the feeding of the five thousand and an altercation with some Pharisees, you know… religious people, that he (Peter) makes the proclamation – “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Matt. 16 vs.15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Vs.16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. vs.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven
So based on the biblical text of grace alone, by faith alone, in Christ alone and based on the concept of positional salvation, all of which is based on Jesus own words I ask the question again... When did the early disciples believe and obtain the gift of eternal life?
Something that should be recognized is that Andrew, Peter, Philip, Nathanael, and even Martha fulfilled Romans 10:9-10. They confessed who Jesus is because of what they believed!
Romans 10:
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
We’re Getting Close. Hang in there with me!
In closing, let us address the words “Eternal Life,” and “Never” that is often associated with the word “Believe,” which was already addressed earlier. Make a mental note to recognize the words Jesus used specifically. Along with "believe," He used the word “Eternal Life.” Who really cares if we dig down and examine what it means in English. Let’s look at the original language. In Greek the word Eternal is: aiónios (ahee-o'-nee-os) and simply means – everlasting, without end, never to cease. (I encourage the reader to do their own word study using a Strong’s Concordance)
So, what is Jesus saying that we will receive upon believing in Him? He is saying – Life without end, a life never to cease. How much clearer does it have to be when coming from the exacting language of Greek? You believe upon Him, you believe in Him, put your trust and faith in everything He said that He is and everything He said He would do and accomplish, you will then receive something for it. That something is what He said it would be. ETERNAL LIFE. He also uses the word “Never” in conjunction with belief. The word “NEVER” is a unique and exacting word as well. Jesus said that those who “believe” would “never thirst, never hunger, never come into condemnation.
The word “never” in the Greek is the word ou mé (oo may) to mean: 3364 ou mḗ (from 3756 /ou, " not a fact" and 3361 /mḗ, "not a possibility") – a double negative which emphatically conveys, "not a fact . . . not even a possibility!" – literally, "no, no!" [In English, a double negative has a positive meaning. In Greek, a double negative is extra-emphatic, expressing very dramatic, forceful negation.]
In short, it is saying “Never” means extremely EMPHATICALLY… NEVERRRRRR! Will not! No never, not even a possibility ever see death, hunger, or thirst!
[Critical side note: In regards to a people that were telling Jesus all of the "works" they were doing in His name and then Jesus replies "I NEVER KNEW YOU," in Matt 7:23; What is meant is that I never, in no way ever knew you. Not like, "Hey I knew you, but you backslid and lost your salvation," No it says what it says and means what it says. "I NEVER KNEW YOU PERIOD! (Emphatically expressed!)]
Additionally, the word “never” in the Aramaic is the same as in the Greek except the word is ONLY used in “future tense.”
To Summarize
Jesus declares that unto them that believe in Him (with no mention of repentance or works of any kind) to be who He says He is and accomplished what He said He would do, we are gifted life without end and as a result, we will never, not never ever without possibility, see death, hunger, or thirst. All of this is just by believing in Jesus as Messiah and the Son of the Living God.
Now that is truly “The Good News!” Why would anyone want to believe in another gospel such as the one of “Fear and Doubt” that so many false prophets teach?
Remember: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (John 20:31)
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
Yours in Christ, -Brent SOLA GRATIA, SOLA FIDE, SOLUS CHRISTUS Grace Alone, by Faith Alone, in Christ Alone Graceapologetics101.org https://www.facebook.com/graceapologetics101
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