By Jim Mettenbrink
While on trial before Governor Pilate, Jesus acknowledged that He had a kingdom, but not of this world, i.e., of this material realm (John 18:36). Earlier, He told His disciple, Peter, that He would give him the keys to His kingdom (Matthew 16:19). Peter did that on the Jewish feast day, Pentecost, 10 days after Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11; 2:38-47). He told the people to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins.
Last, we considered that repentance means to turn. Jesus said to repent and believe in the gospel. The import is the Jews had to turn away from their belief that their Abrahamic ancestry was the basis of their good standing with God (Matt 3:7-9). Jesus said “ …if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). And we concluded by asking – What does it really mean to “believe in Jesus?” Is belief faith? We also ask, which is it, baptism or belief in Jesus where forgiveness of sins is granted? The short answer is both.
What does it mean to believe in Jesus? Many folks think that if they believe Jesus exists or even that He is God in the flesh that their sins are forgiven. Yet others think their sins are forgiven by the mere ritual of baptism. Near the conclusion of His sermon to the crowd (Mt 5-7), He hinted that one can have a misunderstanding that ultimately they would not be saved, no pardon from God – “Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Mat 7:14). Jesus continued, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven….Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord…. ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” (Mat 7:21-23). That many acknowledge Jesus as Lord and yet be lost eternally should cause each of us to diligently study God’s word. So with that in mind, let’s begin by determining what constitutes a belief that God considers to be true belief, i.e., the saving faith. What is genuine faith? Next.