Beth-El Baptist Church

03/16/2008

Greg Tomlinson


What is meant by “believe”?


Much of the core of Christianity rests on the ideas of believing and faith. In order to better grow in the understanding of the Christian life, it is important to understand these two terms.


  1. What are the words that are translated believe and faith?

Exodus 4:1-9 Matthew 9:27-30

Numbers 12:7-8 Mark 11:22


The Hebrew root for faith and believe are the same, amen. The Greek root for faith and believe are the same, pistis. Faith is the noun form and believe is the verbal form..


  1. How are these words used?

Genesis 15:4-6 Deuteronomy 7:9

2 Kings 22:5-7 Proverbs 13:17

Matthew 8:5-13 Acts 16:30-31

Mark 11:22-24 John 3:14-21; 14:1

Romans 4:3-5 Hebrews 11:1, 8-10, 17-19, 31


By context the words carry the meaning of complete and utter trust in the object of their faith or belief. For Abraham to think that he would actually have his own child, an heir, was beyond any capacity he possessed. When God told him he would have his own child, Abraham trusted God, despite ALL of the evidence to the contrary. They are forward looking words that look beyond what they know to what they do not know nor are able to see but they know essence, but not the details, of the results.


  1. Are there any particular nuances to be aware of?

Proverbs 26:24-26 Luke 24:24-27

Acts 8:37 Romans 10:9-11

John 4:39-42, 47-53, 5:43-47; 6:29, 8:24, 30-36; 10:25-30, 37-38; 12:42-43, 44-48

John 1:7-13; 2:7-11, 22-24; 6:63-71; 11:13-15, 25-27, 39-42; 13:18-19; 14:1, 6-11, 29; 16:28-31; 20:8-9, 24-31


Belief and faith are not intellectual concepts but they are transformations of the heart or inner most convictions of an individual so that they are thoroughly convinced, despite the “evidence”, concerning the truth of something. The faith that saves is not about ideas and concepts but it is about a person. Someone who is thoroughly convinced about the truth of some statements has nothing. It is the object of their faith and trust that makes all of the difference in the world. Unless the faith is centered on the person of Jesus Christ, their faith is empty and worthless.


It is fascinating to read through the Gospel of John to see how he uses the idea of faith. Throughout the Gospel, the disciples of Jesus proclaim their faith and Jesus even confirms it. All the while, Jesus, and John, questions their faith and tries to get them to understand the reality of faith and the object of their faith. Note how even after the resurrection, the Gospel of John proclaims that one disciple (John) entered into the empty tomb of Jesus and then he believed. Likewise, Thomas doubted the resurrection until he saw Jesus in the flesh, then he believed. All of that under the historical context of the disciples proclaiming their faith and belief in Jesus.


This sets up a great nuance that there are those who faith is superficial and empty and whom actually need to “see” Jesus so that they might believe. People claim to believe in Jesus and yet their actions (and words) often demonstrate otherwise. Others have works and words that proclaim faith, but even these must grow or deepen their faith in Jesus Christ. It is not what you know but who and how passionately.


Summary:


Faith and believe are very much the driving force behind Christianity. The faith is not in a religion nor in a book but in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. Saving faith in is not a faith that is professed (or claimed) only but it is a living and growing faith. It deepens as the individual grows in the wisdom and knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is this need for growing faith that needs to be evident in each and every one of us. The only way to grow in faith is to spend more and more time with Jesus, in His word and in prayer with Him.