On Whom Do You Believe?
There are many who believe much in religion and all claim to believe in or on something. It is apparent that these “beliefs” are based on various things or beings as there are many “faiths” in the world. Unfortunately, this belief is not soundly couched in rightly divided Bible knowledge. Those of these many “faiths” have evidently failed to read or believe Ephesians 4:5 where the Spirit directed Paul to write: “One Lord, one faith, one baptism,”.
Unfortunately, in all Christendom, or “Christianity as those in the world determine it and define it”, are those who claim to believe in Christ. To believe in Christ is to “believe on Christ”. In John14:1, as Jesus prepared His disciples for His departure said: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. Then He told them where He was going and why. He was going to prepare a place for them (as well as all who would believe and be obedient). This does not mean He went to “build” a dwelling for those who believed, as He had just told them: “In my Father's house are many mansions:“. He went to provide the means for Salvation as He died on the cross, shed His precious blood, and then take that blood back to the Father as the perfect sacrifice for sin. This is why it is so important to believe “on Him”.
Now, what does it mean to believe “on Christ”? It should be abundantly apparent that to simply or only believe is insufficient. As the question of faith and works is discussed in James 2:19 we see that devils not only believe, but also tremble. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. Are there any who proffer the argument that the devils (because of their belief) are saved? Many have avoided this passage in preference to Acts 16:31 to prove the man-made doctrine of faith only or belief only Salvation. The response of Paul and Silas to the Philippian Jailer is recorded there. And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
However, even a casual perusal of the conversion account of the jailer and his house shows that there was more required of them than to simply believe in, or on the Lord Jesus Christ. A reading of Acts 16:32-34 makes this abundantly clear. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. As the Word of the Lord was delivered (preached) to them, they received the instructions as to how to be saved, which was the question the jailer had asked of Paul and Silas.
It might be good at this juncture to stress “on Whom” we are to believe, how that belief is attained, and the fact that this is a Commandment of God to those who will obey Him. Jesus, in John 17:20, in His prayer to His Heavenly Father, prayed for His apostles as well as others. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; He would supply them this “Word” through the Holy Spirit. So, we are to believe on Christ as the Word is proclaimed. We are also reminded in 1John 3:23-24 to do so as a Commanded by the Lord, in addition to the benefit for doing so. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us. (Keep in mind that the Spirit is given us through the Word).
On Whom do you believe? That is very easily ascertained. One does not need to orally respond to this question to show on whom they believe. We obey what or whom we believe and the evidence is the “acts” we perform. This is made crystal clear in Romans 6:16 . Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? On Whom did the Philippian jailer and his house believe? Well, what did he and his household do? They (1) heard the truth, (2) believed on Christ and (3) obeyed the gospel by doing as instructed from the Word of God. Their very own actions showed on whom they believed.
One who refuses to obey Christ and the Commandments as given in the New Testament cannot “honestly” profess to “obey” Him. As one examines him/her self, should they not determine who it is they obey to determine what it is they believe? This is why the Spirit had Paul identify those who caused division and offenses contrary to the doctrine Paul had preached as the Spirit had given him utterance. Romans 16:18 shows whom these served. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.
In Matthew 7:20, Jesus stated this very thing. He said: Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. He followed this with: Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Will you not obey the gospel today and show the “fruits” of obedience? That is the “Will of God”. This is what He wants you to do. Then all will know on Whom you believe. Let us help you be obedient to God and His Word.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
