Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]
 photo jesuslamb.jpgA forum for a community of people interested in discussing salvation in Jesus Christ by grace through faith
Add Reply
April 2, 2008 John 8:30-32 True believers or false professors?
Topic Started: Jun 5 2008, 07:11 PM (150 Views)
lightninboy

April 2, 2008
John 8:30-32 True believers or false professors?

A few hours ago I received a call from someone asking about this passage. He suggested that the people who are said to “believe in Him” actually did not truly believe since Jesus says of these people that they are of the their father the devil (John 8:44).

I explained that whatever John 8:30-32 means, it can’t contradict John 3:16, which says that all who believe in Him have eternal life. Thus even if we couldn’t explain what is going on in John 8:30-32 and the following verses, we know it isn’t saying that a person can believe in Jesus and yet still be lost.

The specific answer if that there is a change in referent. In all of John 8 Jesus is speaking to a large group of unbelieving Jews. This fits John 1:11. Jesus came to His own and His own did not receive Him (His teachings).

However, in this sea of unbelievers is a small group that comes to faith in Him (John 8:30). Jesus then addresses them directly in verses 31-32. He tells them that freedom from sin comes from abiding in His word and being His disciples. Faith in Christ alone will not result in freedom from sin. Discipleship is needed.

Then in verse 33 the unbelieving larger crowd reacts strongly against what Jesus said to the new believers in verses 31-32. We know there is a change in whom Jesus is addressing since in vv 45-46 Jesus specifically says “You do not believe Me.” Yet John and the Holy Spirit specifically say in verse 30 that “many believed in Him.” Since Scripture can’t contradict itself, and since John wasn’t so foolish as to contradict himself a few verses later, we know a different group is involved.

Are there people who profess to believe in Jesus and yet who are not born again? Absolutely. There are two type of false professors. First, there are those who believe some form of works salvation and who, when you ask them, make it clear that simple faith won’t get anyone into the kingdom, that you must have “true faith,” which they will tell you is working faith, committed faith, and persevering faith. So these people profess to believe in Jesus, but what they believe in Him is not the message of John 3:16.

Second, there are those who profess to believe that Jesus guarantees everlasting life to all who simply believe in Him, and yet they don’t really believe what that. How can that be? People can lie, either to get something from you (a handout, for example), or to please you (children may do this and adults from many cultures highly value pleasing people), or maybe just to get you to leave (we saw this at times in college ministry).

I have met very few of the second type of false professor. But I’ve met a lot of the first kind. These are well intentioned people who either don’t understand the Free Grace message, or else they understand it, but believe that it is not what the Bible teaches.

Actually John 8:30-32, properly understood, is a great passage on the power of God’s Word to change us, to transform us (see Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 3:18 ). If we wish to be set free, then the truth will do that for us. Thank God it does.

Increasing in Him,
Bob_Wilkin

Response to “John 8:30-32 True believers or false professors?”

1. dwags4him Says:
June 1st, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Thanks so much for this Bob…

I was for the past few months under the teaching of someone who had some wires crossed when it came to passages like this. Your simple explanation of how Jesus made an aside (vs. 31-32)to those who have just trusted in Him as their savior solved the problem of vss. 36ff

Praise the Lord!

Dave
No I will not, No I will not
Not go quietly
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · GES Blog · Next Topic »
Add Reply


View My Stats Msn bot last visit powered by  Bots Visit Yahoo bot last visit powered by  Bots Visit