Now for the rest of the story. Several weeks ago as a Bible study on covenants drew to a close, someone asked about the thief on the cross. This was followed up with a question about Cornelius. Having apparently received acceptable answers, a final objection was raised. “But what about John 3:16? It only mentions believing.”
The class was encouraged to wholeheartedly endorse and agree 100% with John 3:16. I too agree 100% with John 3:16.
After a brief pause, they were presented with a challenge. Had they considered how we use the word “believe” today?
Take for example a small boy who climbs up and gets stuck in a tree. He calls out for his dad to rescue him. Upon arriving at the tree, the dad lifts his arms up toward his son saying, “Believe in me.” We all understand what the Father is asking of his son.
“Believe in me” is the father’s call for his son to trust in him by dropping down into his arms. Believe summarizes the faith response of believing some truths (dad can catch me, I will be OK if I let go) and acting upon that conviction (dropping from the branch).
In this scenario we know that if the boy were to just sit on that branch filled with confidence that his dad could catch him, this would not constitute believing in his dad. In this context to believe in dad required relying upon him by letting go of the branch. We understand this. This is how we use language today.
Today, we intuitively realize that each context determines what is required in order for us to believe in someone. It might require dropping the family’s car keys into our teenager’s hands. To believe in someone might only require believing someone’s promise. Or it might demand showing up at a restaurant at a set time. This is how we use language every day and we understand this.
The class then heard a suggestion. Scripture also uses believe in this same way.
For example for Abram to have faith in God when God had made him a promise only required believing the promise (Genesis 15:5-6). However, for Abram to possess faith in God when God commanded him to go to a place God would show him demanded obedience (Hebrews 11:8).
In other words, to believe in God summarizes whatever particular faith response might be required in a specific situation. From building an ark to crossing the Red Sea, Hebrews 11 as well as all of scripture is chock full of such examples. Thus to grasp how scripture is calling for us to trust in Jesus, we must listen to the gospel story.
What we discover is that to “believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved” along with its parallels summarizes conversion by emphasizing the necessity of trusting in Christ (Acts 16:30-31; 4:4; Romans 1:16). Yet, when those same authors provide more details about relying upon Christ crucified they always include baptism (Acts 16:32-34; Romans 6:3-6; 6:17-18).
Scripture presents one harmonious message regarding salvation. Sometimes it summarizes our need to rely upon Jesus with statements like “believe” or “became obedient to the faith” (Acts 6:7). At other times it offers more detail. And when it does, baptism is always mentioned (Acts 8:12; 8:35-39).
A week after our study, one participant remarked, “I’m still chewing on these things.” We would all do well to chew carefully and test our assumptions against scripture.
Writing perhaps in the A.D. 90’s for a church in which the gospel had been transforming lives for decades, the aged John penned his account of the gospel. He emphasized the need for people to believe in Jesus. We need Jesus! After repeating Jesus’ teachings about being born from above of water and spirit, John wrote:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16
by Barry Newton