I thought this might happen, and it did. In last week’s post, I said that I was going to do a series about three concepts in John’s writings that stood out to me. As I was typing those words, I had a hunch that three was off; there’d be more. And sure enough, I was right! Or rather, I was wrong, and then I was right. Or something like that!
So I’ll add a fourth post to this series and see where that takes us. Who knows, the Lord might add another 27 by the time we’re done!
Well, last week, we looked at the notion of witnessing or testifying. Today, we’re covering the act of believing. (And we’ll draw the Bible verses from the NASB.) The verb “believe” (pisteuo) is quite common in the Greek New Testament, occurring 241 times in 217 verses. Out of these, John uses it 106 times in 92 verses. (That’s 44% of the occurrences.) To be specific, “believe” is in John’s gospel 97 times in 85 verses, and in his letters 9 times in 7 verses. He uses this verb more than any other New Testament writer. And that might be somewhat surprising, since the apostle Paul writes about faith in Christ so much.
But the term is one of John’s favorites.
It’s in one of the most recognizable verses in the Bible.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.” – John 3:16
Believing in Christ satisfies the desire of our soul.
“Jesus said to them, ‘I am the bread of life; the one who comes to Me will not be hungry, and the one who believes in Me will never be thirsty.’” – John 6:35
The presence or absence of faith determines whether we’re His disciples.
“But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep.” – John 10:26
Believing in Jesus is a powerful force. It’s greater than death itself.
“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; the one who believes in Me will live, even if he dies, 26and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” 27She said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.’” – John 11:25-27
And it gives us victory over the trials we face in the world.
“Who is the one who overcomes the world, but the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?” – 1 John 5:5
The verses above illustrate how important believing is in John’s theology. But what does it have to do with last week’s topic? We can address this by asking a simple question.
What is the appropriate response to credible testimony?
Believe it!
In the gospel of John, Jesus is the subject of testimony. John the Baptist promotes Him (John 1:6-8). Jesus also testifies about Himself (John 8:14). Yet in the book of Revelation, the apostle John describes Jesus as God’s “faithful witness” (Revelation 1:5) and ascribes his own exile to his testimony about Christ (Revelation 1:9). So Jesus is both the subject and the object of gospel witness.
If the Lord’s words about Himself are true, what should people do? If the witness of Christians is correct, how should people react?
The answer is belief. If one’s testimony is credible, people have an obligation to trust it. The reason why John emphasizes believing in his writings is because it’s the right reaction to the witness of Jesus Christ.
Here are three examples in the gospel of John.
First, we have the ministry of John the Baptist.
“He came as a witness, to testify about the Light, so that all might believe through him.” – John 1:7
The purpose of John’s service was to provoke faith in Jesus as the Christ. It’s why God sent him.
In chapter 4 of the gospel, Jesus enters Samaria and encounters a woman with a troubled past. She is so amazed at His prophetic discernment that she wonders if He might be the Messiah (John 4:29). Well, the people investigate by traveling out to meet the Lord, and they bring Him back to the town. And the results are glorious!
Now from that city many of the Samaritans believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified, “He told me all the things that I have done.” 40So when the Samaritans came to Jesus, they were asking Him to stay with them; and He stayed there two days. 41Many more believed because of His word; 42and they were saying to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this One truly is the Savior of the world.” – John 4:39-42
Again, we have many testimonies. The story the Samaritan woman shared convinced some people to believe in Jesus. And the teaching Christ provided over the next two days persuaded even more people. Valid, credible witness produces faith!
The cross is a third example. At the Lord’s crucifixion, one of the Roman soldiers was intending to break Christ’s legs to hasten His death. However, upon discovering that Jesus was already gone, he didn’t bother.
Yet one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. 35And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you also may believe. 36For these things took place so that the Scripture would be fulfilled: “NOT A BONE OF HIM SHALL BE BROKEN.” 37And again another Scripture says, “THEY WILL LOOK AT HIM WHOM THEY PIERCED.” – John 19:34-37
The apostle John presents himself as an eyewitness to the death of Jesus Christ. Furthermore, he stresses how the details of the crucifixion correspond to Old Testament prophecies. Verse 36 quotes Psalm 34:20 and verse 37 quotes Zechariah 12:10. Soldiers, Scripture, and the beloved disciple form a solid testimony that can withstand scrutiny. Their witness is reliable and because it is, the only legitimate response to it is to believe their report.
What makes testimony credible? Why should anyone believe our witness? John offers us some insights.
One, Jesus exhibited perfect self-awareness. Contemporary culture encourages the pursuit of authenticity. It tells people to be true to themselves. What individuals are striving for, Christ has already achieved.
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Even if I am testifying about Myself, My testimony is true, because I know where I came from and where I am going; but you do not know where I come from or where I am going.’” – John 8:14
The Lord knows who He is because He knows His history and His future. Christ is no braggart; He exhibits the quiet and settled confidence of knowing who He is. As His disciples, it’s our privilege to give people the opportunity to find security in Him. And it’s our honor to have His peace fill our hearts and free us from the anxieties and pressures this world brings.
Two, Jesus had multiple witnesses. In a controversy with the Jewish leaders, Jesus rallied the following to back up His claim to equal status with God (John 5:18): John the Baptist (John 5:33-35), His miracles (John 5:36), God Himself (John 5:37-38), and the Scriptures (John 5:39-40). Jesus isn’t operating in a vacuum; what He’s saying and what He’s doing have context, support, and justification. Trusting Him is warranted. We have the assurance that the gospel we proclaim is grounded and substantiated. It’s the real deal!
Three, the Holy Spirit helps us witness.
“When the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, namely, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, He will testify about Me, 27and you are testifying as well, because you have been with Me from the beginning.” – John 15:26-27
We’re not on our own; the Spirit of God fills us, guides us, and inspires us to share Christ with people. Yes, the same Spirit who opened our hearts to Jesus will work through us to bring others to Him.
Gospel witness is credible, so faith in Christ is reasonable.
But we’re not done! Next week, we’ll delve into God’s purpose for these blessings.
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