What Precisely Must One Believe About Jesus?
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out by Jesus (v 37), and about Him never losing even one person whom the Father
gave Him (v 39).
Then in verse 47 He summarized what He had said: He who believes in Me
has everlasting life. The same three elements found in John 4 appear here:
1) Jesus, 2) everlasting life, and 3) believing. Or, using the order of the verse, the
one who simply (1) believes in (2) Jesus has (3) everlasting life.
The present tense here is powerful. Jesus doesn`t promise that the one who
believes in Him will get everlasting life in the future as long as he meets certain
other conditions (like perseverance). No. He promises that the one who believes in
Him has everlasting life right now. And since Jesus loses nothing (6:39), the one
who has everlasting life is secure forever.
John 11:25-27. The same three essential elements emerge in Jesus`
encounter with Martha. As the resurrection, He promises to resurrect all who
simply believe in Him: He who believes in Me, though He may die, He shall
live. Here we have all who simply believe in Jesus guaranteed that they will be
part of the resurrection of the righteous.
As the life, He promises that all who simply believe in Him will never die
spiritually: He who lives and believes in Me shall never die.
Again we find that (1) Jesus guarantees (2) everlasting life to 3) all who
simply believe in Him.
This same truth is found in the epistles. According to Paul in Romans 34
and Galatians 23, justification is by faith alone in Christ alone, apart from works.
According to Peter in Acts 15:7-11, faith in Jesus Christ is the sole condition of
eternal salvation.
Repeatedly we find that the precise truth to be believed is that Jesus
guarantees everlasting life to all who simply believe in Him.