SPECIAL TOPIC: JOHN'S USE OF THE VERB "BELIEVE" (the noun is rare)

John primarily combines "believe" with a preposition

A. eis means "into." This unique construction emphasizes believers putting their trust/faith in Jesus

1. into His name (John 1:12; 2:23; 3:18; 1 John 5:13)

2. into Him (John 2:11; 3:15,18; 4:39; 6:40; 7:5,31,39,48; 8:30; 9:36; 10:42; 11:45,48; 12:37,42)

3. into Me (John 6:35; 7:38; 11:25,26; 12:44,46; 14:1,12; 16:9; 17:20)

4. into the One He has sent (John 6:28-29)

5. into the Son (John 3:36; 9:35; 1 John 5:10)

6. into Jesus (John 12:11)

7. into Light (John 12:36)

8. into God (John 12:44; 14:1)

B. ev means "in" as in John 3:15 (Mark 1:15)

C. the dative case with no preposition (1 John 3:23; 4:50; 5:10)

D. hoti, which means "believe that," gives content as to what to believe. Some examples are

1. Jesus is the Holy One of God (John 6:69)

2. Jesus is the I Am (John 8:24)

3. Jesus in the Father and the Father in Him (John 10:38)

4. Jesus is the Christ (John 11:27; 20:31)

5. Jesus is the Son of God (John 11:27; 20:31)

6. Jesus was sent by the Father (John 11:42; 17:8,21)

7. Jesus is one with the Father (John 14:10-11)

8. Jesus came from the Father (John 16:27,30)

9. Jesus identified Himself in the covenant name of the Father, "I am" (John 8:24; 13:19)

Biblical faith is in both a person and a message! It is evidenced by obedience, love, and perseverance.