Believer
Pastors and Modern Christians when talking about whosoever believeth being Saved often say things like:
* A saved believer who has trusted fully in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for his or her salvation understands the simplicity of the Gospel of Grace. They know that they are saved because...
- 1. Jesus Christ died for their sins and paid for them all. God's perfect Justice has been satisfied by the death of His Son.
- 2. That Jesus was buried and rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1Corinthians 15:1-4
- 3. They receive, believe and trust that Christ's perfect sacrifice is all that is required to save them. They know they cannot add anything or subtract anything from Christ's sacrifice.
- 4. Salvation is a free gift. It cannot be earned, there is nothing for the sinner to do for their salvation.
No one of course is suggesting or saying that people are saved by works nor by the law like the Pharisees sought to do. Many of these Modern Christians run back to a saved by grace eschatology whenever anyone talks about what one does.
A number of terms need to be defined in accordance to the meanings of Paul such as "saved believer".
Saved Believers
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What is a Saved believer?
The word "believer" only appears twice in the Bible.
First in Acts 5:14 "And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)" We see it translated from pisteuo πιστεύω[1] a verb translated believe 239 times and believer once. It is from the noun for faith; it can mean "to think to be true" or "place confidence in".
We also see the word in 1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (conduct), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
Here the word believers is pistos πιστός[2] meaning faithful. It is defined "of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties"
The word pistos does come from the word peitho πείθω which means "to persuade" or "be persuaded" or even "to trust, have confidence" but as an adjective it is defining someone who because he is convinced or convicted of Christ he shows evidence that he is "of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties."
So this begs the question if we are Believers are we faithful in keeping the commandments of Christ?
Christ told us to do many things and told us not to do others. If we are not faithful in doing what he said to do or by personal or even public policy we are doing contrary to what he said then we cannot be considered faithful and therefore are not really believers.
If the word Christian is suppose to be the designation of people following Christ, viz. lovers of Jesus or Yeshua, then there must be many people who say they are Christians but are actually taking His name in vain.
Modern Christians often try to divest the word believer of needing to show the "execution of commands" of Christ or "the discharge of ... duties". They reduce being faithful to simply saying or even believing a certain fact. They seem to think that they merely have to be persuaded that that a few statements about Jesus are true and this counts as repentance. They are saved believers in their own minds with no actual evidence being discharged demonstrating their belief. They simply repeat their claim of belief in the finished work of Christ while not doing what He said and even doing the opposite.
Paul in 1 Timothy 4:12 is making it clear that believers' should be an example of a Believer "in word, in conversation (conduct), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."
If they are not that example we should be able to at the very least suspect, if not conclude, that they are not saved believers because they are not exhibiting the Fruit worthy of repentance.
This is why Paul gives us a long list of those who are not believers and will not inherit the kingdom.[3] Paul in no way was suggesting that we now have a license to sin or go against the commandments of God but was talking about those who are true Believers who show the Fruit of the Spirit.[4]
This being a Believer required outward evidence of belief which would be consistent with the teachings of Christ who says we are not hearers only[5] or merely say we believe in the Lord but were actually Doers of the Word[6] and must bear the fruit of repentance[7], James' insistence upon works,[8]forgiving so that you may be forgiving and if not forgiving then you are not forgiven no matter what you want to think[9], Peter in not coveting[10] or being entangled again with the elements of the world[11] cursing your children with debt.[12] and Paul[13].
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Footnotes
- ↑ 4100 ~πιστεύω~ pisteuo \@pist-yoo’-o\@ from 4102; v AV-believe 239, commit unto 4, commit to (one’s) trust 1, be committed unto 1, be put in trust with 1, be commit to one’s trust 1, believer 1; 248
- 1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
- 1a) of the thing believed
- 1a1) to credit, have confidence
- 1b) in a moral or religious reference
- 1b1) used in the NT of the conviction and trust to which a man is impelled by a certain inner and higher prerogative and law of soul
- 1b2) to trust in Jesus or God as able to aid either in
- 1a) of the thing believed
- 1bc) mere acknowledgment of some fact or event: intellectual
- 2) to entrust a thing to one, i.e. his fidelity
- 2a) to be intrusted with a thing
- 1) to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in
- ↑ 4103 ~πιστός~ pistos \@pis-tos’\@ from 3982; adj AV-faithful 53, believe 6, believing 2, true 2, faithfully 1,
believer 1, sure 1; not tr 1; 67
- 1) trusty, faithful
- 1a) of persons who show themselves faithful in the transaction of business, the execution of commands, or the discharge of official duties
- 1b) one who kept his plighted faith, worthy of trust
- 1c) that can be relied on
- 2) easily persuaded
- 2a) believing, confiding, trusting
- 2b) in the NT one who trusts in God’s promises
- 2b1) one who is convinced that Jesus has been raised from the dead ::: 2b2) one who has become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and author of salvation
- 1) trusty, faithful
- ↑ Galatians 5:19 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are [these]; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
- ↑ Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
- 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
- ↑ James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
- ↑ DOETH
Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mtt 7:24 Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:
Mtt 7:26 And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: Mtt 16:27 “For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.” Mtt 12:50 “For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.”[Mtt 6:2, 3; 8:9; 18:23-35; 19:16-21; 20:1-28, 25-29; 21:28-31, 43; 22:29-33; 23:1-33; 24:46-51; 25:14-46, 26:13, 42, Mark 3:35]
Luke 6:31 “And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Luke 6:46, 49 “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? Whosoever cometh to me, and heareth my sayings, and doeth them, I will shew you to whom he is like: He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock.”
Luke 13:24 “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.”
John 3:20,21 “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
John 5:20 “For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel.”
John 9:31 “Now we know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and doeth his will, him he heareth.”
John 13:15 “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.”
Ephesians 6:8 “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.”
Colossians 3:25 “But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done... no respect of persons.”
James 1:22 “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”
James 2:17 “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth [it] not, to him it is sin.”
1 Peter 1:14 “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:”
1 Peter 1:17 “And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:”
1 John 2:17 “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” 1 John 2:29 “If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.” 1 John 3:7 “Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.”
1 John 3:10 “In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.” 3 John 1:11 “Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.”
Romans 12:2 “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Titus 2:14 “Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”
Hebrews 10:24 “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:”
Hebrews 10:36 “For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.”
James 2:22 “Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?”
Revelation 20:12, 13 “... another book was opened, which is [the book] of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.” - ↑ Matthew 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
Luke 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. - ↑ James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
James 2:17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
James 2:18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
James 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
James 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
James 2:25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
- ↑ Matthew 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you:
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Matthew 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses.
Mark 11:25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. Mark 11:26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Luke 6:37 ¶ Judge not, and ye shall not be judged: condemn not, and ye shall not be condemned: forgive, and ye shall be forgiven: - ↑ 1 Peter 1:17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning [here] in fear:
- ↑ Galatians 4:3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world:
Colossians 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
Colossians 2:20 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, - ↑ 2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: - ↑ Acts 20:33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power (dunamis)and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
"God has given you one face, and you make yourself another" ~ William Shakespeare
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman,
burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Romans 1:29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
Romans 13:9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
1Corinthians 5:10 Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.
1Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat.
12 For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.
1Corinthians 6:9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
2 Corinthians 9:5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.
Ephesians 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;
2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;
Ephesians 5:5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.
Colossians 3:5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:
6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them.
8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
1 Thessalonians 2:4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; God is witness: 1 Timothy 3:3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
1 Timothy 6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2 Timothy 2:26 And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. 2 Timothy 3:1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
2 Peter 2:3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you: whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their damnation slumbereth not.
2 Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin; beguiling unstable souls: an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: