In this enlightening episode, we offer a deep dive into the word ‘believe’ as one of the key components of Christian faith. Learn how belief is intertwined with baptism and salvation, and why it’s crucial for those seeking to truly follow Christ. We also examine how faith must go beyond verbal confession, demanding a life committed to God’s teachings.
00:11:16 Conclusion and Invitation to Continue Studies
SPEAKER 01 :
Once again, we are looking at a special word of Christianity. And just ahead from the International Gospel Hour, let’s talk about that great word, believe. Please, stay right here with us.
SPEAKER 02 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
SPEAKER 01 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web as always. Greetings to all of you. Thank you for being with us today. And I’ll tell you what I want to do. Each week we try to give away a very special gift here from International Gospel Hour. And through our friends at ApologeticsPress.org, we have available a book written by Dave Miller, Does God Exist? We’d love to send you that book absolutely free. I’m serious, folks. Don’t want your money. We’re not going to ask you. This is not a trick. This is not bait and switch or click bait or anything of that nature. If you would love our free book from International Gospel Hour today, call us toll free at 855-444-6988. Leave your name and address and just say, Does God Exist? That’s all you have to do. You can also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com, click on the contact tab, leave the same information, name, address, and just type, Does God Exist? in the message box. Again, the easiest, 855-446-9888. I’m sorry, let me try again. Very excited about today’s broadcast. 855-444-6988. Leave your name, address, and just say, Does God Exist? and we’ll send you that free book. Again, it’s absolutely free from International Gospel Hour. And special thanks to our friends at ApologeticExpress.org. Polishing the Pulpit is an annual gathering among Christians. It serves as a great tool in training servants for God. And from Branson, Missouri, in 2024, Polishing the Pulpit had a series titled, Twelve Words of Christianity. Today, one of those words we wish to share with you, and that is the word, believe. Alan Webster, one of their directors, said, Belief is not merely individual assent, but it involves a personal commitment to follow Christ, as demonstrated by Peter’s confession, You are the Christ, the Son of the living God, Matthew 16 and verse 16. So with special thanks to our friends at Polishing the Pulpit, and also to Glenn Colley and his work with this assignment, in a few moments we’re going to present another one of the 12 words of Christianity, Believe. We’ll be back in a moment, but first a few words about our friends at House to House, Heart to Heart, a great co-worker with Polishing the Pulpit.
SPEAKER 02 :
Please check out our fellow laborers at HouseToHouse.com, an outstanding website for topic research, an excellent media section, and some free materials. While there, please request a free copy of House to House, Heart to Heart. Check it out today at HouseToHouse.com.
SPEAKER 01 :
And now, friends, let’s consider our study today about the word belief. Now, to launch this lesson, what we want to do is understand two primary uses of the word. The first usage is straightforward. For example, Mark 16, 16 states, He that believes and is baptized shall be saved. Now, that kind of belief involves mentally acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God. Acts 18 and verse 8 tells us that the Corinthians, upon hearing the message, believed and were baptized. Now the second usage, well, that might be a little less familiar. Sometimes the word believe or believed is used in a summary way to describe all that a person does to become a Christian. This broader definition encompasses more than mere mental acknowledgement. It includes actions and commitments that reflect genuine faith. Now, let’s start with the various names by which Christians are called. In Acts 24 and verse 5, Tertullus refers to Paul as the ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. And that term was meant in a derogatory way. In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus refers to Christians as the people of the way. Now, this term, while it was also meant derogatorily, has a positive connotation signifying a distinct and righteous path. John 13, 35, Jesus says, By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. Ephesians 1 and verse 1 calls Christians saints, highlighting their sanctified status. However, one of the most encompassing terms used is believers, a summary word that describes, again, not just a mental acknowledgement of Jesus as the Son of God, but a comprehensive acceptance and commitment to his teachings. Now let’s delve into the broader usage of this word, believe. It can summarize all the obedient actions taken by a person to become a Christian. This understanding, friends, is crucial, especially considering the emphasis of the Lord’s church on the necessity of baptism. Consider Matthew 7, 21-23, where Jesus says, Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles? Then I will tell them plainly, I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers. These verses emphasize that mere verbal acknowledgement of Jesus is insufficient. Genuine belief involves doing the will of God. To get into Christ, one must be baptized into Christ as stated in Romans 6 and Galatians 3. Baptism is for the remission of sins, Acts 2.38 and 22.16. A necessary step indeed in the process of salvation. Those who have not undergone baptism as described in Scripture are not in Christ. This truth underscores the importance of understanding the comprehensive nature of belief. So let’s explore some examples from the book of Acts that illustrate the comprehensive use of believe. In Acts 2, we witness the birth of the church during Pentecost. And Peter and the apostles preached to the crowd. Peter said, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, Acts 2.38. Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about 3,000 were added to their number that day, Acts 2.41. But in Acts 2 and verse 44 it says, Here the term believers summarizes all that these individuals did to become Christians, encompassing repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Spirit, and being added to the church. Acts 4 and verse 4 records that the number of believers grew to about 5,000. This figure also includes the 3,000 from Acts 2 highlighting that believe encompasses the complete process of becoming a Christian. Acts 11 mentions the first Gentile convert, Cornelius. Peter preached to Cornelius and his household, and the Holy Spirit came upon them. Peter then said, Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have? Acts 2.47 Peter explains this to the Jewish believers, saying, If then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God’s way? Acts 11, 17. Here, believed includes the entire process of conversion. This is the same with Acts chapter 16 and the Philippian jailer. When they preached the word of the Lord to him, and he and his household believed, and they were baptized. Acts 16.34 states the jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them. He was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God, he and his whole household. Here believe summarizes the jailer’s entire conversion experience. Now despite the compelling evidence for Jesus as the Son of God, many people refuse to believe. And this refusal is often not due to a lack of evidence, but a preference for darkness over light. Jesus explained this in John 3, 18-20. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict. Light has come into the world, but people love darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. Even witnessing miracles did not always lead to belief. Jesus said, I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But as I told you, you have seen me and still you do not believe. John 6, 35 and 36. The miracles of Jesus were meant to confirm the word of God, not merely to create believers. Hebrews 2, 3, and 4 explains that purpose of miracles was to validate the message of salvation. How can we know if we are genuine believers, friends? Well, there are several indicators that can affirm our faith beyond any reasonable doubt. There is the confession before men. During the first century, confessing Jesus often meant risking one’s life. Today we still publicly confess our faith, demonstrating our belief in Jesus. There’s baptism according to Acts 2.38 as we noticed earlier. If we have repented of our sins and been baptized, we are believers. There is a love for the church, where believers love the bride of Christ and the church, and they are committed to its growing and well-being. What about raising children in faith, just as Abraham was willing to offer his son Isaac to God? We demonstrate our belief by raising our children and grandchildren to serve God. Even in private prayer, Jesus instructs us to pray in private, demonstrating our belief in a God who hears and answers prayers. Private prayer is a strong indicator of genuine faith. Losing faith can lead to spiritual poverty. The consequences of unbelief are severe, friends. And the Lord is our shepherd, providing for us and guiding us through life. Without faith, we lose the comfort and assurance of His presence. People will always have the choice to believe or not believe. Friends, the evidence for Jesus as the Son of God is profound and compelling. Let us make that decision today to obey Him and to be true believers in all that we do. Friends, we’re grateful for Brother Colley, his good work at westhuntsville.org. That’s westhuntsville.org, the website of the West Huntsville Church of Christ. Friends, it takes more than just saying, I believe. It takes, as we’ve studied today from text, moving upon our faith, obedient unto God, with what He commands us to do. I’m sure we have prompted you to think on these things, and so I want to pause and offer an opportunity for you to continue your studies in this matter. We can do so with an online option from our friends at the World Bible School. Here is our J-Web with the details.
SPEAKER 02 :
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SPEAKER 01 :
Again, join me next time as we look at another word of Christianity. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour broadcast. I’m Jeff Archie, and friends, keep listening.
SPEAKER 02 :
Thank you for listening to our broadcast today. To God goes all the glory, and we hope that our study today will draw you closer to His Word to walk in His way. To listen to it again, or our other broadcasts,
