Expert: Dr. Ronald E. Shultz - 11/29/2004

Question
It says in John 3:16 that whoever "believes" in Jesus shall be
saved, but what does that exactly mean?

I just don't feel like I "believe"...I know that all religions could be
right, and so I don't feel like I can muster the total dedication
necessary to feel like I really 'know' that Jesus is the Son of God.

Any help would be appreciated.

Sincerely,
Matt Bachman

Answer
First, let me speak to the all religions might be right statemnt.  You cannot believe that and in Christ at the same time.

Matt 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad. (KJV)

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
(KJV)

1 Cor 10:20-21
20 But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils. (KJV)

Gal 1:6-12
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:
7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.
9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed.
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
11 But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man.
12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Anyone that is not a true Christian be they pagan, Jewish, Islamic or ones who name Christ but are believing in another gospel are going to go to Hell.  There are no exceptions.  So, true faith or trust in Christ means realizing that there is only one way and He is that way.

What is belief?

Mark 1:15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. (KJV)

Mark 5:36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe. (KJV)

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (KJV)

John 9:35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? (KJV)

John 20:31 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. (KJV)

Heb 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (KJV)

I Jn 5:13 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. (KJV)

4100  pisteuo (pist-yoo'-o);
from 4102; 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):
KJV-- believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with.

All the above verses use the same Greek word for believe.  A form of this word is also translated as faith. Trust is the key.  God wanted Adam and Eve to totally trust Him in Eden and instead they trusted their senses and the devil and look where we are now.  We have to completely trust the Word of God and Jesus as the Living Word.

What do we have to believe?

Rom 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (KJV)

1 Cor 15:1-9
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve:
6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.
7 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles.
8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time.
9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (KJV)

Man sinned, Man dies, he goes to Heaven or Hell.  Man cannot pay his own debt so he goes to Hell unless He accepts the gift of God, which is Christ dying on the Cross for our sins and then rising from the dead as proof that the payment was accepted.  (Romnas 6:23)

Why? Because God only gave one way to be reconciled with Him.  He told us all about it in the Word/record/Bible. If we don't believe it or trust it we call Him a liar and that is not the way to get reconciled with someone.

I Jn 5:5-13
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth.
7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.
8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.
9 If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.
12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
13 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. (KJV)

How do we get more faith?  

Rom 10:8-18
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
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.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world. (KJV)

2 Tim 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (KJV)

Now,let's address feelings.  How do you feel about a chair?  Do you always check a chair out or your feelings about it before you sit down or do you just sit down?  Probably just sit down in 99% of cases.  Why? Because you have sat in many chairs and have seen many others sit in chairs so you believe that chairs hold people and thus you sit down without any conscious thought or feeling. Have you sat in a chair you thought or felt was sturdy and it collapsed?  Your feelings didn't much matter.  What mattered was the integrity of the chair and in that case your feelings were deceived.

You must place your faith or trust in the integrity of Christ. You may or may not feel real good about your spiritual condition but that is not where you place your faith.  If you put your trust in Christ and Him alone feelings may come and go but you can say like Paul, "For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. 2 Tim 1:12 (KJV)

Now, how do you come to trust, believe, have faith in Christ?  You learn of Him in the Word. As you see the prophecies of the OT fulfilled in Him and see what He has done in the NT your faith will develop.  

If you are having some "intellectual" doubts about the Word here are some fine apologetic resources.

http://www.answersingenesis.org/

http://www.icr.org/

http://www.apologetics.org/

Once you can put your trust in the record as John told us then you can trust Him for the record is of Him.  

I strongly suggest that you find a good church and sit down with a pastor and get your questions answered and your doubts assuaged.

E-mail me the name of your home town and maybe I can refer you to one.  mavmin@earthink.net  You may also find some helpful things on my web page.

http://www.orgsites.com/tx/maverick_ministries/

May God grant you peace and assurance as you seek Him through His Word!!!!