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Did the word translated as “believe” have more meaning in the original then we assign to the word in English (Believe – to be confident about something). There are many people who “believe” Jesus is the Son of God. It's what they were taught and while they believe it as a fact, they do not truly understand it. I believe it takes a revelation to move something from being “knowledge” to truly being, a belief (Revelation – an enlightening or astonishing disclosure).
I believe this is shown in scripture when Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. Now Peter had heard these facts from others (revealed to him by man), even before he first walked with Jesus in, John 1:41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. And of course he heard Jesus admit to God being His Father many times.
So Jesus must have meant there was something significant to Peter's “level” of belief which took it beyond that of which he had heard from men. I believe it's implied that there is a level of “belief” which is only knowledge (man's revealings), but we move into true belief when God reveals His Son to us (not deserved, but by His grace).
Being careful not to add to the word but combined with the rest of scripture it seems that this higher level of belief when embraced will lead us to die to self and to live for Him. It is at this point (in our level of belief) where we are born again and saved. I also believe we can resist this revelation refusing to die to self and remain in our sins. Unfortunately I also believe that once the revelation has been embraced we can in spite of it choose to return to self and in doing so we trample the revelation underfoot (the mortal sin).
What are others thoughts or does somebody know something on the original word translated, believe.
Hi St,
Hopefully it leads to repentance and rebirth of water and the Spirit unto salvation, but perhaps that is what you are saying anyway?I believe repentance is part of embracing the revelation and once embraced this will lead to obedience and it will include baptism (though like circumcision it is only an outward sign).
Yes to believe that which the Father has revealed is to be open to God. To be open to doing his will means that we can be the sons of God.
Belief is the first step. If someone doesn't believe then they cannot embrace anything that God wants to give them.
That is why unbelievers have their part in the second death. Because they do not believe, they also do not believe in eternal life. Therefore they will perish.
We can still fall away after we believe as you say.
Even Peter who said that Jesus was the Christ, denied him later.
Thankfully Peter repented and was a shining light for us.Hi ST,
The confusion arises because scripture calls those who believe and have repented and obeyed
“believers”
leading many to the delusion that belief is all that is required of us but even demons believe.Nick,
That was my point, knowing the facts, even accurately, does not save someone. But at the same time there are many places in scripture where it says we believe unto salvation (I agree that repentance and obedience are part of salvation), what I'm trying to understand is there something more to the term “believe”, like instead of believing facts, you need to have and believe a revelation, for it will lead to change, and if it doesn't, then it was not really believed.Good questions seekingtruth.
I suppose that if we believe with our whole spirit, soul, being, that we would be doers of the word. But belief in the mind only doesn't necessarily mean that one will act upon that knowledge because such beliefs may not be in our heart.
In the end what a man says and does is what is in his heart, not necessarily what is in his mind.
I guess it's not knowing or even understanding THE truth, it's embracing it and all it requires, that moves it from being knowledge to being “believe unto salvation”. If we truly believed then how could we remain as we were.
This from Strongs Concordance
believe = pist-yoo'-o
From G4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), that is, credit; by implication to entrust (especially one’s spiritual well being to Christ): – believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.The implication here the way I see it is that to believe means to believe to the extent that it is life changing. It's not only recognition of the Messenger, but also the message. One who believes that Jesus Christ is Lord and does nothing about it cannot be called a believer because of the lack of commitment.
What do you think?
Quote (Nick Hassan @ Dec. 11 2006,13:23) Hi St,
Hopefully it leads to repentance and rebirth of water and the Spirit unto salvation, but perhaps that is what you are saying anyway?
Are you saying that water can save you?Hi ACC,
Not at all.
That is the magic teaching of catholicism.But we need to hear the words of Peter.
Acts 2
” 37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. “
This is the eternal gospel first given to the Jews then to all men.
Rev 14
“Revelation 14:6
Then I saw another angel flying in midair, and he had the eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation, tribe, language and people.
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