What Does It Mean To Believe On The Lord Jesus Christ?

Temple Baptist Church - 10-19-2008

Acts 8:36-38; Acts 16:30-31

Introduction:

A. This morning, we saw the conversion of the Ethiopian Eunuch. He was seeking to be “right with God” and God provided all that was necessary for him to be saved.

B. He was sincerely seeking.

Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

C. Christ was preached unto him and he was saved when he believed. Confession was then made unto salvation:

Acts 8:36-38 And as they went on [their] way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, [here is] water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

D. The question that needs to be answered is this: What does it mean to believe on Jesus Christ? There are many kinds of beliefs concerning Christ.

1. Some believe that Christ Jesus was a prophet or just another good man:

Mark 8:27-28 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? 28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some [say], Elias; and others, One of the prophets.

2. Even the devils believe in Christ.

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

E. Just believing that Jesus Christ was the Son of God does not bring about salvation. We live in a religious nation where most believe the fact of who Christ is. The best way that I know to start a fight in a bar is to stand up and say that Jesus Christ was not God. Even a drunk will take offense at such a statement and feel compelled to take up for the Lord!

F. Paul answered the Philippian jailor’s question of “What must I do to be saved” with this statement: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” What is “believing on Christ?” The Bible clearly defines saving faith.

G. Jesus divided the world into two groups.

John 3:18, again, Jesus divides the world into two groups. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."

John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him."

H. The determining factor in salvation is faith. Believe denies salvation by character and discredits salvation by works, but it declares salvation by trust.

Galatians 3:26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus."

1. To Believe On Jesus Christ Is To Accept What He Said. His Word exposes our sinfulness and exalts Him as the only Saviour.

a. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they accept the fact that they are a sinner in need of a Saviour.

b. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they accept the fact that what he says about man's nature and need as true. Man is depraved and cannot save himself.

c. When one believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the statement of Jesus when he said, "Ye must be born again." Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God means there are no exceptions!

d. When on believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the
pronouncements that He made about Hell, the eternal destination of all
unbelievers.

e. When on believes the WORDS of Jesus, they hear and accept the
declaration "I am the way, the truth, and the life......" The only way to heaven is through the Door, Jesus Christ.

f. To believe means one has heard what Jesus said about the must of salvation and the means of salvation.

2. To Believe Means To Understand The Work And Worth Of Christ. Jesus came to do something no one else could do. He came to die for sinful man. He came to die as the sinless Son of God to pay for the penalty of our sins. He came to be the sinner's substitute.

Matthew 20:28 The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give his life a ransom for many." (He came to give His life for the sheep.)
In the work of Jesus Christ:

a. The Law Was Satisfied - Justice for sin demands a penalty. When Jesus died on the cross of Calvary as my substitute, the Law was satisfied.

2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (God did not overlook sin, but He forced it out into the open where He dealt with in a way that honored His righteous character. All the vileness of the sinner was transferred to the substitute, and all the virtue of the substitute is transferred to the sinner that believes. The cross of Calvary makes it possible for God to be both just and the Justifier.)

b. Salvation Was Simplified – Salvation was made so simple that a child could believe on Christ and be saved. Religion has complicated salvation by adding personal merit. If salvation is by works, then one never knows when they have done enough to be saved or if they have continued doing enough to remain saved. Simply Trust Christ!
c. Hell Was Nullified – The believer now has eternal life and, therefore, no fear of death of hell.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

3. To Believe Means To Trust And Personally APPROPRIATE the WORK of Jesus Christ. The essence of faith lies in this: casting one-self on God’s finished work and promises. The blood of Christ is of no affect unless it is personally applied.

a. The Ethiopian Eunuch knew that Messiah would come to take away sin. He, through the preaching of Phillip realized that Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of that promise.

Acts 4:12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (No exception at all! If there is salvation in none other!)

b. To believe in Jesus Christ is to believe ON Jesus Christ.

John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Conclusion: "There is no sin that shall damn the man who believes in Jesus
Christ, and nothing can save the man who will not believe in Jesus Christ. He that believes shall be saved, be his sin ever so many, and he that believes not must perish, be his sins ever so few," - C. H. Spurgeon.