John Not Faith Only

     Many teach that John's gospel reflects a faith only theology because of the "believe" statements that are quoted. John 3:16 is one example. The same writer however in I John says the new birth requires active works.

1Jn 2:29  If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him. 

The sure sign of the new birth, or being born of him, is doing righteousness. It isn't moral perfection but an active life of an obedient and active faith. Faith only teachers seem to over react by saying we claim to make ourselves morally justified, when an active obedient life makes no such claim, we still sin. We are in a state of seeking to do good while finding we are still sinners.

Nevertheless, John teaches those born of Christ "doeth" righteousness as Christ is our example. The word believe in most cases refers to believing on someone as a prophet, thus over a long period sticking with and fulfilling their word.

Since it says "born of him" it implies someone with the ability to listen and respond to his teaching, trusting his direction and power.

Even the passages such as the chapter before and after John 3:16 is loaded with works statements. The context is the witness Christ has given concerning himself and salvation. It is his witness he is referring to in John 3:11 "ye receive not our witness"

Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

Being born again means walking in the light as Jesus showed us, God is light and in him there is no darkness.

One mistake they make is that the word believe in Greek replaces a Hebrew word that never meant to believe only, it meant to continue a long time in faithfulness. Faithfulness requires an active obedience and an active love over a long period. It is a combination of action and belief fulfilling prophecy or promises.

21 times it is translated believe and 20 times it is translated faithful, so it has equal weight in a sense and never implies belief only, it has respect to a faithfulness that completes God's will.

It always means to continue a long time , it seldom visualizes a one time belief. It actually comes from a tent peg that fastens something that stands through the elements, and makes it permanent. Tent pegs are actually doing something. They aren't jumping around but in their own way are doing work over time.

The word translated believe in the old testament Hebrew can be translated long continuance.

see

Deu 28:59  Then the LORDH3068 will make(H853) thy plaguesH4347 wonderful,H6381 and the plaguesH4347 of thy seed,H2233 even greatH1419 plagues,H4347 and of long continuance,H539 and soreH7451 sicknesses,H2483 and of long continuance.H539 

The idea of long continuance is even translated in some verses. It often implies faithfulness to one's work or office.

The word believe in John 3:16 implies continueing long with Christ as Lord, it does definitely imply sincere obedience and faith in his teachings. The next time someone tells you it is belief only just hand them a tent peg.

Faithfulness when we have a position or stewardship is definitely implied. Jesus taught this in the parable of the unjust steward. The word is used concerning Moses' faithfulness.

Num 12:7  My servantH5650 MosesH4872 is notH3808 so,H3651 whoH1931 is faithfulH539 in allH3605 mine house.H1004 

The Hebrew word can be translated faithful and the same greek root replacing the Hebrew is used in calling Jesus faithful to the Father. John 3:16 could just as easily be translated faithful. It is a combination of the same Greek words based upon the same Greek root,

4100

4101

4102

4103

All used in respect to translating the same Hebrew word Anan.

Heb 3:2  Who wasG5607 faithfulG4103 to him that appointedG4160 him,G846 asG5613 alsoG2532 MosesG3475 was faithful inG1722 allG3650 hisG846 house.G3624 

The Greek root since it is from the Hebrew implies faithfulness and not belief only. One question to ask, Did Jesus believe in the Father only, or was he actively faithful.

The word also reflects the heart and Spirit and it stedfastness.

Psa 78:8  And might notH3808 beH1961 as their fathers,H1 a stubbornH5637 and rebelliousH4784 generation;H1755 a generationH1755 that set not their heart aright,H3559 H3808 H3820 and whose spiritH7307 was notH3808 stedfastH539 withH854 God.H410 

This reflected a lack of stedfastness in covenant.

Psa 78:37  For their heartH3820 was not rightH3808 H3559 withH5973 him, neitherH3808 were they stedfastH539 in his covenant.H1285 

The origin root word believe is also translated "to yield" in some Old Testament passages.

H539

אמן

'âman

Total KJV Occurrences: 110

believed, 21

Gen_15:6, Gen_45:26, Exo_14:31 (2), Num_20:12, Deu_9:23, 1Sa_27:12, 1Ki_10:7, 2Ch_9:6, Job_29:24, Psa_27:13, Psa_78:22, Psa_78:32, Psa_106:12, Psa_106:24, Psa_116:10, Psa_119:66, Isa_53:1, Jer_40:14, Lam_4:12, Jon_3:5

faithful, 20

Num_12:7, Deu_7:9, 1Sa_2:35, 1Sa_22:14, 2Sa_20:19, Neh_9:8, Neh_13:13, Psa_12:1, Psa_31:23, Psa_89:37, Psa_101:6, Pro_25:13 (2), Pro_27:6, Isa_1:21, Isa_1:26, Isa_8:2, Isa_49:7, Jer_42:5, Hos_11:12

believe, 19

Exo_4:1, Exo_4:5, Exo_19:8-9 (4), Num_14:11, Deu_1:32, 2Ki_17:14, 2Ch_20:20 (2), 2Ch_32:15, Job_9:16, Job_39:12, Pro_26:25, Isa_43:9-10 (2), Jer_12:6, Hab_1:5

sure, 11

1Sa_2:35, 1Sa_25:28, 1Ki_11:38, Job_24:22, Psa_19:7, Psa_93:5, Psa_111:7, Isa_22:23, Isa_22:25, Isa_33:16, Isa_55:3

established, 7

1Sa_3:20, 2Sa_7:16, 1Ch_17:23-24 (2), 2Ch_1:9, 2Ch_20:20, Isa_7:9

brought, 5

2Ki_10:1, Est_2:7, Est_2:20, Pro_8:30, Lam_4:5

believeth, 4

Job_15:22, Job_39:24, Isa_28:15-16 (2)

trust, 4

Job_4:18, Job_15:15, Job_15:31, Mic_7:5

verified, 3

Gen_42:20, 1Ki_8:26, 2Ch_6:17

continuance, 2

Deu_28:59 (2)

nurse, 2

Rth_4:16, 2Sa_4:4

nursing, 2

Num_11:12, Isa_49:23

stedfast, 2

Psa_78:8, Psa_78:37

assurance, 1

Deu_28:66

bringers, 1

2Ki_10:5

fail, 1

Jer_15:18

nursed, 1

Isa_60:4

stand, 1

Psa_89:28

surely, 1

Hos_5:9

trusted, 1

Jdg_11:20

trusty, 1

Job_12:20 (2)