1. Whosoever Believes A Study of Faith Used Comprehensively in the NT

2. Man’s Understanding of “Faith” “Faith” is often misunderstood in the religious world; many mean “faith only” Many read texts with “believe” (and no other actions) and conclude “faith only” What someone may believe alone is not acceptable (Jas. 2:19)

3. “Faith” in the NT Sometimes “faith” is used objectively: “the faith” (Acts 6:9; Eph. 4:5; Jude 3; etc) Sometimes “faith” is used subjectively: –Specific belief (Jn. 8:24; 12:42; 1 Jn. 5:1, 5) –Personal conscience (Rom. 14:1,2,22-23) –Comprehensive obedience to all of Jesus’ words (Jn. 3:16)

4. “Faith” Used Comprehensively How or why can “faith” / “believe” be used broadly or comprehensively, to include specific actions? What makes this claim any different from the one who says that “faith” means “faith only”? Let us consider four facts about the use of faith/believe in the NT

5. “Faith” Used Comprehensively First, faith/believe is sometimes found by itself in contexts where obedience to other things is taught –Moses and the serpent (Jn. 3:14-18; Num. 21:9) –Cornelius (Acts 10:43-48) –The Jailor (Acts 16:30-34)

6. “Faith” Used Comprehensively First, “believe” is found by itself in contexts where obedience to other things is taught –The Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:37-44) –The Corinthians (Acts 18:8; 1 Cor. 1:14) –The Ephesians (Acts 19:2-5) –The Romans (Rom. 10:4-21)

7. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Second, “believe” refers to believing the words of Jesus and keeping (obeying) them –Man’s definition of believe: “Accept Jesus as your personal savior…” –Jesus’ definition of believe: “how shall ye believe my words” (Jn. 5:47; see also 2:22; 3:12; 4:41, 50; 5:24, 38; 8:31; 11:48; 12:38; 14:10; 17:8)

8. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Second, “believe” refers to believing the words of Jesus and keeping them –Jesus’ words include confession (Mt. 10:32), repentance (Lk. 13:5), and baptism (Jn. 3:5; Mk. 16:15-16) –This is confirmed by cases of conversion found later (Jn. 17:20; Acts 4:4; 13:48; 15:7; 1 Cor. 15:2; Eph. 1:13; 1 Thess. 2:13)

9. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Third, “believe”, by nature, is active and obedient to what/who is believed –“By faith … offered … prepared an ark … obeyed … offered up Isaac … refused … compassed about … etc” (Heb. 11:4ff) –Faith is active, working (Gal. 5:6; 1 Thess. 1:3; Jas. 1:3; 2:14-26; Rev. 2:19)

10. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Fourth, “believe”, like other actions, can be mentioned by itself with reference to salvation, but not “_____ alone” –Gospel (Rom. 1:16) –Blood (Rom. 5:9) –Confess and believe (Rom. 10:9)

11. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Fourth, “believe”, like other actions, can be mentioned by itself with reference to salvation, but not “_____ alone” –Call upon the name (Rom. 10:13) –Grace through faith (Eph. 2:8) –Grace (Tit. 2:11)

12. “Faith” Used Comprehensively Fourth, “believe”, like other actions, can be mentioned by itself with reference to salvation, but not “_____ alone” –Mercy (Tit. 3:5) –Implanted word (Jas. 1:21) –Water baptism (1 Pet. 3:20-21)

13. What Have We Learned? “Believe”, like all Bible words, must be used and defined in accordance with scripture If you were taught wrong about “believe” (faith only), then you were not truly saved. Will you be among the “whosoever believes”, or will you be disobedient? After believing, what next (1 Jn. 3:23-24)?