SPECIAL TOPIC: JOHN'S USE OF THE VERB "BELIEVE"

John primarily combines "believe" with PREPOSITIONS

  1. 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)

  2. ev means "in" as in Mark 1:15; John 3:15

  3. the DATIVE CASE with no PREPOSITION (John 4:50; 1 John 3:23; 5:10)

  4.  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.

SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH AND FAITHFULNESS

 

Copyright © 2014 Bible Lessons International