When the Bible tells us to Believe in Christ Jesus for Salvation, what exactly does that mean?

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Answers to Bible Questions

Scriptures are from the KJV of the Bible

( Q ) When the Bible tells us to Believe in Christ Jesus for Salvation, what exactly does that mean?

 

( A ) Well, first of all, it is not head knowledge that God or Christ exists, because the devils know God exists and they tremble. See the book of James 2:19 which say’s :

19: Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble

The devils believe that God exists, he was there maker,but that did not keep them from rebelling against God and lose their standing with God. So we are looking for a different kind of belief. Let’s look at the book of Romans 10:9-11 which will give us some light about Believing.

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.

From the above scriptures we can see that we need to have a sincere, heart felt belief in Christ Jesus as our personal Lord Saviour, that He alone is the only way to Salvation. This is not just what we call giving ( lip service ) to God, but total belief in Christ, and what God says about Him in our Bibles with no doubt; but complete and total Faith in Christ. Faith is a ( sure ) positive hope that what God says, will happen. God tells us without Faith we cannot please Him: Hebrews 11: 1, 3, 6.

1: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

3: Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

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.

Faith, Belief, and Trust all have a very similar meaning so these words can be used interchangeably when we talk about Believing. I have a few more scriptures that we can look at about believing which should be helpful before finishing up with this Question. See 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

13: For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

See 1 Thessalonians 4: 14

14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

See 1 Timothy 1:16

16: Howbeit for this cause I (Paul) obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

To finish up now remember, don,t just believe in God, but BELIEVE GOD!

John