Repentance and Faith?

Repentance and Faith?



Stephen Pugh
2009


Introduction

A. What do the scriptures say regarding repentance, faith and conversion?

B. What do the words Repentance, Faith and Conversion mean?

C. What do the scriptures say is the message that we preach?

D. Why did Christ preach Repentance to Israel?

E. What is the true basis of salvation today?
a. Do we preach Repentance?
b. Do we preach Faith in Christ alone?
c. Do we preach Conversion?

Question 1 Isn’t this ‘easy believeism’?

Question 2 Is this the historic truth of Christianity?

Question 3 Did the Apostles preach Justification by Faith?

Question 4 Isn’t repentance a change of behaviour?

Question 5 Isn’t John the Baptists and Christ’s call to repentance the same message that we preach today?

Question 6 Did Christ preach faith?

Question 7 Was the Gospel of the Grace of God preached by john Christ and his Apostles?

Question 8 Isn’t faith inferred when Christ preached repentance?

Question 9 What is the Gospel of the kingdom?

Question 10 If l preached the Gospel from John’s Gospel and Romans then l would not be preaching the subject of repentance?







A. What do the scriptures say regarding repentance, faith or believing and conversion?

(In each of these lists l have tried to restrict the texts to those that refer to the preaching of Salvation to the unsaved or to references to those in a saved state as a result of Repentance, faith belief or conversion).


Texts regarding ‘Repent or Repentance’.

In this list l divide the texts into different groups.

These texts were preached to only to Israel by John, Christ and the Apostles before his death (which properly is the Gospel of the Kingdom.)

1. Matt.3v2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
2. v8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:
3. v11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
4. Matt.4v17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
5. Matt.9v13 But go ye and learn what that meaneth, I will have mercy, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
6. Matt.11v20 Then began he to upbraid the cities wherein most of his mighty works were done, because they repented not:

7. Mark.1v4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
8. v15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
9. Mark.2v17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
10. Mark.6v12 And they went out, and preached that men should repent.

11. Luke.3v3 And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
12. Luke.5v32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
13. Luke.13v3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
14. v5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
15. Luke.15v7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
16. v10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
17. Luke.24v47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.


1. Acts.2v38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
2. Acts.3v19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
3. Acts.5v31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
4. Acts.11v18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
5. Acts.13v24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
6. Acts.17v30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:
7. Acts.19v4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
8. Acts.20v21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
9. Acts.26v20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Here in the Epistles the writers speaks about repentance

1. Rom.2v4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
2. 2Tim.2v25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
3. Heb.6v1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
4. 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.
5. 2Pet.3v9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

(All of the texts in Revelation regarding repentance are addressed to believers in the seven churches - so l have excluded them from the general preaching of the Gospel.)

There are 17 texts regarding repentance in the Synoptic Gospels
There are 9 texts regarding repentance in the Acts
There are 5 texts regarding repentance in the Epistles


The texts regarding faith, (again these texts are restricted to the context of preaching of the Gospel or in reference to those who have responded to it)
It seems that faith is not found in the all Gospels in the sense of being saved, however it is used in the sense of believing that Christ can perform miracles
1. 27 And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.
2. Acts.15v9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith.
3. Acts.20v21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
4. Acts.24v24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
5. Acts.26v18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.
6. Rom.1v5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:
7. v8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
8. v17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
9. v22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
10. v25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
11. v27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
12. v28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
13. v30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
14. v31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.
15. Rom.4v5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
16. v9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness.
17. v11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
18. v12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
19. v13 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
20. v14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:
21. v16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,
22. v19 And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about an hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sara's womb:
23. v20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;
24. Rom.5v1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
25. v2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
26. Rom.9v30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness which is of faith.
27. v32 Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone;
28. Rom.10v6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
29. v8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
30. 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
31. Rom.11v20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
32. Rom.16v26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
33. 1Cor.2v5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.
34. 1Cor.7v25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful.
35. v13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
36. 1Cor.15v14 And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.
37. v17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
38. 2Cor.4v13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
39. 2Cor.13v5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?
40. Gal.2v16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
41. Gal.3v2 This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
42. v5 He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
43. v7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham.
44. v8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed.
45. v9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
46. v11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
47. v12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
48. v14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
49. v22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
50. v23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
51. v24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
52. v25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
53. v26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
54. Gal.5v5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
55. v15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
56. Eph.2v8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
57. Eph.3v12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.
58. v17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
59. Eph.4v5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
60. Eph.6v16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
61. Phil.3v9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
62. v4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints,
63. Col.2v5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ.
64. v12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
65. v8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing.
66. v5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.
67. v6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you:
68. v7 Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction and distress by your faith:
69. 2Thes.3v2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
70. v12 Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith.
71. v13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
72. v18 Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.
73. v15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
74. Tit.1v1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;
75. v4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
76. Phlm.1v5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;
77. v6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
78. Heb.4v2 For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
79. Heb.6v1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
80. v12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
81. Heb.10v22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
82. Heb.11v1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
83. v3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
84. v4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.
85. v5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
86. v6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
87. v7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
88. v8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
89. v9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
90. v11 Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised.
91. v13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
92. v17 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son,
93. v20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.
94. v21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
95. v22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones.
96. v23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were not afraid of the king's commandment.
97. v24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter;
98. v27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.
99. v28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.
100. v29 By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.
101. v30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days.
102. v31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
103. v33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
104. v39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
105. Heb.12v2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
106. Heb.13v7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
107. Jas.1v3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
108. v6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
109. Jas.2v1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
110. v5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
111. v14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
112. v17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
113. v18 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.
114. v20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
115. v22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
116. v24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
117. v26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
118. 1Pet.1v5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
119. v7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
120. v9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
121. v21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
122. 1Pet.5v9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
123. 2Pet.1v1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:
124. Rev.14v12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.
The texts regarding Faith in relation to the Gospel are 125


The texts regarding believe, (again these texts are restricted to the context of preaching of the Gospel or of those who have believed)
1. Mark.1v15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
2. v16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
3. Luke.8v12 Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
4. v13 They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away.
5. John.1v7 The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.
6. v12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
7. John.2v11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.
8. v22 When therefore he was risen from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said.
9. v23 Now when he was in Jerusalem at the passover, in the feast day, many believed in his name, when they saw the miracles which he did.
10. v15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
11. v16 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.
12. v18 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.
13. v36 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.
14. v39 And many of the Samaritans of that city believed on him for the saying of the woman, which testified, He told me all that ever I did.
15. v41 And many more believed because of his own word;
16. v42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
17. v48 Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.
18. v50 Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.
19. v53 So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.
20. John.5v24 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.
21. v38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.
22. v44 How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only?
23. 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.
24. v47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?
25. John.6v29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
26. v30 They said therefore unto him, What sign shewest thou then, that we may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?
27. v35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
28. v36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
29. v40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
30. 47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
31. v64 But there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him.
32. v69 And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
33. John.7v5 For neither did his brethren believe in him.
34. v31 And many of the people believed on him, and said, When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these which this man hath done?
35. v38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
36. v39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
37. v48 Have any of the rulers or of the Pharisees believed on him?
38. John.8v24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
39. v30 As he spake these words, many believed on him.
40. v31 Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
41. v45 And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not.
42. v46 Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me?
43. John.9v18 But the Jews did not believe concerning him, that he had been blind, and received his sight, until they called the parents of him that had received his sight.
44. v35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
45. v36 He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
46. v38 And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
47. John.10v25 Jesus answered them, I told you, and ye believed not: the works that I do in my Father's name, they bear witness of me.
48. v26 But ye believe not, because ye are not of my sheep, as I said unto you.
49. v37 If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not.
50. v38 But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.
51. v42 And many believed on him there.
52. John.11v15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.
53. v25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
54. v26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
55. v27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
56. v40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?
57. v42 And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.
58. v45 Then many of the Jews which came to Mary, and had seen the things which Jesus did, believed on him.
59. v48 If we let him thus alone, all men will believe on him: and the Romans shall come and take away both our place and nation.
60. John.12v11 Because that by reason of him many of the Jews went away, and believed on Jesus.
61. v36 While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them.
62. v37 But though he had done so many miracles before them, yet they believed not on him:
63. v38 That the saying of Esaias the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spake, Lord, who hath believed our report? and to whom hath the arm of the Lord been revealed?
64. v39 Therefore they could not believe, because that Esaias said again,
65. v42 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
66. v44 Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.
67. v46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
68. v47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.
69. John.13v19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass, ye may believe that I am he.
70. John.14v1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
71. v10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
72. v11 Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.
73. v12 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.
74. v29 And now I have told you before it come to pass, that, when it is come to pass, ye might believe.
75. John.16v9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
76. v27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
77. v30 Now are we sure that thou knowest all things, and needest not that any man should ask thee: by this we believe that thou camest forth from God.
78. v31 Jesus answered them, Do ye now believe?
79. John.17v8 For I have given unto them the words which thou gavest me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came out from thee, and they have believed that thou didst send me.
80. John.17v20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
81. v21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
82. John.19v35 And he that saw it bare record, and his record is true: and he knoweth that he saith true, that ye might believe.
83. John.20v8 Then went in also that other disciple, which came first to the sepulchre, and he saw, and believed.
84. v25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
85. v29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
86. v31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
87. Acts.2v44 And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
88. Acts.4v4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.
89. v32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.
90. Acts.5v14 And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.)
91. Acts.8v12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
92. v13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
93. v37 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.
94. Acts.9v26 And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple.
95. v42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.
96. Acts.10v43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
97. v45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
98. Acts.11v17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
99. v21 And the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and turned unto the Lord.
100. Acts.13v12 Then the deputy, when he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the Lord.
101. v39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
102. v41 Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you.
103. v48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
104. Acts.14v1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the Jews and also of the Greeks believed.
105. v23 And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.
106. Acts.15v5 But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
107. v7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe.
108. v11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
109. Acts.16v1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
110. v31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
111. Acts.17v4 And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few.
112. v5 But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
113. v12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
114. v34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.
115. Acts.18v8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
116. v27 And when he was disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which had believed through grace:
117. Acts.19v2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
118. v4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
119. v9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not, but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them, and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one Tyrannus.
120. v18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
121. Acts.21v20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:
122. v25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
123. Acts.22v19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:
124. Acts.26v27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.
125. v25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.
126. Acts.28v24 And some believed the things which were spoken, and some believed not.
127. Rom.1v16 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.
128. Rom.3v3 For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
129. v22 Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
130. v26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
131. Rom.4v3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
132. v5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
133. v11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised: that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
134. v17 (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.
135. v18 Who against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many nations; according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be.
136. v24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
137. Rom.6v8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
138. Rom.9v33 As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
139. Rom.10v4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
140. v9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
141. v10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
142. v11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
143. v14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
144. v16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
145. Rom.11v30 For as ye in times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through their unbelief:
146. 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that through your mercy they also may obtain mercy.
147. Rom.13v11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
148. Rom.14v2 For one believeth that he may eat all things: another, who is weak, eateth herbs.
149. Rom.15v31 That I may be delivered from them that do not believe in Judaea; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the saints;
150. 1Cor.1v21 For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
151. 1Cor.3v5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
152. 1Cor.7v12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
153. v13 And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
154. 1Cor.10v27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.
155. 1Cor.11v18 For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
156. 1Cor.13v7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
157. 1Cor.14v22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not for them that believe not, but for them which believe.
158. v24 But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all:
159. 1Cor.15v2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
160. v11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.
161. 2Cor.4v4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
162. v13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
163. 2Cor.6v15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
164. Gal.2v16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
165. Gal.3v6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.
166. v22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
167. Eph.1v13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
168. v19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
169. Phil.1v29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
170. 1Thes.1v7 So that ye were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia.
171. 1Thes.2v10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
172. v13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
173. 1Thes.4v14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
174. 2Thes.1v10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
175. v12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
176. 1Tim.1v16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
177. 1Tim.3v16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
178. 1Tim.4v3 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth.
179. v10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
180. v12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
181. 1Tim.5v16 If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them, and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
182. 2Tim.1v12 For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
183. 2Tim.2v13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
184. Tit.3v8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.
185. Heb.3v18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
186. Heb.4v3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
187. Heb.10v39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
188. Heb.11v6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
189. v31 By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace.
190. Jas.2v19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
191. v23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
192. 1Pet.1v21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.
193. 1Pet.2v6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
194. v7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
195. 1John.3v23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
196. v16 And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
197. 1John.5v1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.
198. v5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
199. v10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.
200. v13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
201. Jude.1v5 I will therefore put you in remembrance, though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
The texts regarding faith and believing number 201
It seems that an interesting thing comes out in this analysis. Prior to Christ’s rejection by the religious leaders of Israel Christ addressed Israel in the terms of repentance and not even mentioning faith. However after his rejection Christ changes his message of Repentance to Israel to personal faith in him to perform Miracles. In Johns Gospel it appears that very early in his Gospel he describes the rejection by the Religious leaders. Christ tells Nicodemus in Ch 3 that,
John 3v9 Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? 10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? 11 Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. 12 If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
From this point on the Synoptic Gospels show that Christ heals only in response to personal faith and he preaches only in Parable so that those unbelievers who hear might not believe. John in his Gospel emphasises the later part of Christ’s ministry which is characterised by his message of personal faith in him.
The texts regarding conversion
1. Matt.13v15 For this people's heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
2. Matt.18v3 And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.
3. Mark.4v12 That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.
4. John.12v40 He hath blinded their eyes, and hardened their heart; that they should not see with their eyes, nor understand with their heart, and be converted, and I should heal them.
5. Acts.3v19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
6. Acts.28v27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
7. Jas.5v19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
8. v20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
The texts regarding conversion number 8


2 What do the words Repentance, Faith and Conversion mean?

I refer to Vines Expository Dictionary
Topic: Repent, Repentance
A-1,Verb,3340,metanoeo
lit., "to perceive afterwards" (meta, "after," implying "change," noeo, "to perceive;" nous, "the mind, the seat of moral reflection"), in contrast to pronoeo, "to perceive beforehand," hence signifies "to change one's mind or purpose," always, in the NT, involving a change for the better, an amendment, and always, except in Luke 17:3,4, of "repentance" from sin. The word is found in the Synoptic Gospels (in Luke, nine times), in Acts five times, in the Apocalypse twelve times, eight in the messages to the churches, Rev. 2:5 (twice),16,21 (twice), RV, "she willeth not to repent" (2nd part); Rev. 3:3,19 (the only churches in those chapters which contain no exhortation in this respect are those at Smyrna and Philadelphia); elsewhere only in 2 Cor. 12:21. See also the general Note below.
A-2,Verb,3338,metamelomai
meta, as in No. 1, and melo, "to care for," is used in the Passive Voice with the Middle Voice sense, signifying "to regret, to repent oneself," Matt. 21:29, RV, "repented himself;" Matt. 21:32, RV, "ye did (not) repent yourselves" (AV, "ye repented not"); Matt. 27:3, "repented himself" 2 Cor. 7:8 (twice), RV, "regret" in each case; Heb. 7:21, where alone in the NT it is said (negatively) of God.
B-1,Adjective,278,ametameletos
"not repented of, unregretted" (a, negative, and a verbal adjective of A, No. 2), signifies "without change of purpose;" it is said (a) of God in regard to his "gifts and calling," Rom. 11:29; (b) of man, 2 Cor. 7:10, RV, "[repentance (metanoia, see C)] ... which bringeth no regret" (AV, "not to be repented of"); the difference between metanoia and metamelomai, illustrated here, is briefly expressed in the contrast between "repentance" and "regret."
C-1,Noun,3341,metanoia
"afterthought, change of mind, repentance," corresponds in meaning to A, No. 1, and is used of "repentance" from sin or evil, except in Heb. 12:17, where the word "repentance" seems to mean, not simply a change of Isaac's mind, but such a change as would reverse the effects of his own previous state of mind. Esau's birthright-bargain could not be recalled; it involved an irretrievable loss. As regards "repentance" from sin, (a) the requirement by God on man's part is set forth, e.g., in Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 20:21; 26:20; (b) the mercy of God in giving "repentance" or leading men to it is set forth, e.g., in Acts 5:31; 11:18; Rom. 2:4; 2 Tim. 2:25. The most authentic mss. omit the word in Matt. 9:13; Mark 2:17, as in the RV.
Note: In the OT, "repentance" with reference to sin is not so prominent as that change of mind or purpose, out of pity for those who have been affected by one's action, or in whom the results of the action have not fulfilled expectations, a "repentance" attributed both to God and to man, e.g., Gen. 6:6; Exod. 32:14 (that this does not imply anything contrary to God's immutability, but that the aspect of His mind is changed toward an object that has itself changed, see under RECONCILE).
In the NT the subject chiefly has reference to "repentance" from sin, and this change of mind involves both a turning from sin and a turning to God. The parable of the Prodigal Son is an outstanding illustration of this. Christ began His ministry with a call to "repentance," Matt. 4:17, but the call is addressed, not as in the OT to the nation, but to the individual. In the Gospel of John, as distinct from the Synoptic Gospels, referred to above, "repentance" is not mentioned, even in connection with John the Baptist's preaching; in John's Gospel and 1st Epistle the effects are stressed, e.g., in the new birth, and, generally, in the active turning from sin to God by the exercise of faith (John 3:3; 9:38; 1 John 1:9), as in the NT in general.
http://www2.mf.no/bibelprog/vines?word=¯t0002364

Topic: Faith
1,,4102,pistis
primarily, "firm persuasion," a conviction based upon hearing (akin to peitho, "to persuade"), is used in the NT always of "faith in God or Christ, or things spiritual."
The word is used of (a) trust, e.g., Rom. 3:25 [see Note (4) below]; 1 Cor. 2:5; 15:14,17; 2 Cor. 1:24; Gal. 3:23 [see Note (5) below]; Phil. 1:25; 2:17; 1 Thess. 3:2; 2 Thess. 1:3; 3:2; (b) trust-worthiness, e.g., Matt. 23:23; Rom. 3:3, RV, "the faithfulness of God;" Gal. 5:22 (RV, "faithfulness"); Titus 2:10, "fidelity;" (c) by metonymy, what is believed, the contents of belief, the "faith," Acts 6:7; 14:22; Gal. 1:23; 3:25 [contrast Gal. 3:23, under (a)]; Gal. 6:10; Phil. 1:27; 1 Thess. 3:10; Jude 1:3,20 (and perhaps 2 Thess. 3:2); (d) a ground for "faith," an assurance, Acts 17:31 (not as in AV, marg., "offered faith"); (e) a pledge of fidelity, plighted "faith," 1 Tim. 5:12.
The main elements in "faith" in its relation to the invisible God, as distinct from "faith" in man, are especially brought out in the use of this noun and the corresponding verb, pisteuo; they are (1) a firm conviction, producing a full acknowledgement of God's revelation or truth, e.g., 2 Thess. 2:11,12; (2) a personal surrender to Him, John 1:12; (3) a conduct inspired by such surrender, 2 Cor. 5:7. Prominence is given to one or other of these elements according to the context. All this stands in contrast to belief in its purely natural exercise, which consists of an opinion held in good "faith" without necessary reference to its proof. The object of Abraham's "faith" was not God's promise (that was the occasion of its exercise); his "faith" rested on God Himself, Rom. 4:17,20,21. See ASSURANCE, BELIEF, FAITHFULNESS, FIDELITY.
Notes: (1) In Heb. 10:23, elpis, "hope," is mistranslated "faith" in the AV (RV, "hope"). (2) In Acts 6:8 the most authentic mss. have charis, "grace," RV, for pistis, "faith." (3) In Rom. 3:3, RV, apistia, is rendered "want of faith," for AV, "unbelief" (so translated elsewhere). See UNBELIEF. The verb apisteo in that verse is rendered "were without faith," RV, for AV, "did not believe." (4) In Rom. 3:25, the AV wrongly links "faith" with "in His blood," as if "faith" is reposed in the blood (i.e., the death) of Christ; the en is instrumental; "faith" rests in the living Person; hence the RV rightly puts a comma after "through faith," and renders the next phrase "by His blood," which is to be connected with "a propitiation." Christ became a propitiation through His blood (i.e., His death in expiatory sacrifice for sin). (5) In Gal. 3:23, though the article stands before "faith" in the original, "faith" is here to be taken as under (a) above, and as in Gal. 3:22, and not as under (c), "the faith;" the article is simply that of renewed mention. (6) For the difference between the teaching of Paul and that of James, on "faith" and works, see Notes on Galatians, by Hogg and Vine, pp. 117-119.
Topic: Belief, Believe, Believers
A-1,Verb,4100,pisteuo
"to believe," also "to be persuaded of," and hence, "to place confidence in, to trust," signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence. It is most frequent in the writings of the Apostle John, especially the Gospel. He does not use the noun (see below). For the Lord's first use of the verb, see John 1:50. Of the writers of the Gospels, Matthew uses the verb ten times, Mark ten, Luke nine, John ninety-nine. In Acts 5:14 the present participle of the verb is translated "believers." See COMMIT, INTRUST, TRUST.
A-2,Verb,3982,peitho
"to persuade," in the Middle and Passive Voices signifies "to suffer oneself to be persuaded," e.g., Luke 16:31; Heb. 13:18; it is sometimes translated "believe" in the RV, but not in Acts 17:4, RV, "were persuaded," and Acts 27:11, "gave (more) heed;" in Acts 28:24, "believed." See AGREE, ASSURE, OBEY, PERSUADE, TRUST, YIELD.
Note: For apisteo, the negative of No. 1, and apeitheo, the negative of No. 2, see DISBELIEVE, DISOBEDIENT.
B-1,Noun,4102,pistis
"faith," is translated "belief" in Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13. Its chief significance is a conviction respecting God and His Word and the believer's relationship to Him. See ASSURANCE, FAITH, FIDELITY.
Note: In 1 Cor. 9:5 the word translated "believer" (RV), is adelphe, "a sister," so 1 Cor. 7:15; Rom. 16:1; Jas. 2:15, used, in the spiritual sense, of one connected by the tie of the Christian faith.
C-1,Adjective,4103,pistos
(a) in the Active sense means "believing, trusting;" (b) in the Passive sense, "trusty, faithful, trustworthy." It is translated "believer" in 2 Cor. 6:15; "them that believe" in 1 Tim. 4:12, RV (AV, "believers"); in 1 Tim. 5:16, "if any woman that believeth," lit., "if any believing woman." So in 1 Tim. 6:2, "believing masters." In 1 Pet. 1:21 the RV, following the most authentic mss., gives the noun form, "are believers in God" (AV, "do believe in God"). In John 20:27 it is translated "believing." It is best understood with significance (a), above, e.g., in Gal. 3:9; Acts 16:1; 2 Cor. 6:15; Titus 1:6; it has significance (b), e.g., in 1 Thess. 5:24; 2 Thess. 3:3 (see Notes on Thess. p. 211, and Gal. p. 126, by Hogg and Vine). See FAITHFUL, SURE.
Notes: (1) The corresponding negative verb is apisteo, 2 Tim. 2:13, AV, "believe not" RV, "are faithless," in contrast to the statement "He abideth faithful."
(2) The negative noun apistia, "unbelief," is used twice in Matthew (Matt. 13:58; 17:20), three times in Mark (Mark 6:6; 9:24; 16:14), four times in Romans (Rom. 3:3; 4:20; 11:20,23); elsewhere in 1 Tim. 1:13; Heb. 3:12,19. (3) The adjective apistos is translated "unbelievers" in 1 Cor. 6:6; 2 Cor. 6:14; in 2Cor. 6:15, RV, "unbeliever" (AV, "infidel"); so in 1 Tim. 5:8; "unbelieving" in 1 Cor. 7:12-15; 14:22-24; 2 Cor. 4:4; Titus 1:15; Rev. 21:8; "that believe not" in 1 Cor. 10:27. In the Gospels it is translated "faithless" in Matt. 17:17; Mark 9:19; Luke 9:41; John 20:27, but in Luke 12:46, RV, "unfaithful," AV, "unbelievers." Once it is translated "incredible," Acts 26:8. See FAITHLESS, INCREDIBLE, UNBELIEVER.
(4) Plerophoreo, in Luke 1:1 (AV, "are most surely believed," lit., "have had full course"), the RV renders "have been fulfilled." See FULFILL, KNOW, PERSUADE, PROOF.
Topic: Convert, Conversion
A-1,Verb,4762,strepho
"to turn," is translated "be converted" in Matt. 18:3, AV. See TURN.
A-2,Verb,1994,epistrepho
"to turn about, turn towards" (epi, "towards" and No. 1), is used transitively, and so rendered "convert" (of causing a person to turn) in Jas. 5:19,20. Elsewhere, where the AV translates this verb, either in the Middle Voice and intransitive use, or the Passive, the RV adheres to the Middle Voice significance, and translates by "turn again," Matt. 13:15; Mark 4:12; Luke 22:32; Acts 3:19; 28:27. See COME (again), Note (4), GO (again), RETURN, TURN.
B-1,Noun,1995,epistrophe
akin to A, No. 2, "a turning about, or round, conversion," is found in Acts 15:3. The word implies "a turning from and a turning to;" corresponding to these are repentance and faith; cp. "turned to God from idols" (1 Thess. 1:9). Divine grace is the efficient cause, human agency the responding effect.
In summary

Repentance is to have an afterthought instead of a forethought. It is a change of mind. A change of action might follow but the emphasis is on a change of mind.

Faith is to rely or lean upon something. In this case to rely upon the word of Christ for salvation.

Believe is to accept the word of another. To believe a report and to depend wholly upon it.

Conversion is to a turn around a complete change of direction or life.


Frequency of word use

Repent Faith Believe Conversion
Synoptic 17 0 4 3
Acts 9 5 40 2
John 0 0 81 1
Romans 1 27 23 0
Epistles 4 103 51 2

Total 31 135 199 8


Graph of Emphasis

Repentance = 29



Faith and Believe = 334



Conversion = 8



NB. I have put Acts with Luke as it is a continuation of the Synoptic Gospel of Luke
b) Faith & believe over Repentance x11 Emphasis


Analysis

Synoptic Gospels The Message is Repentance
Acts In the early chapters - repentant which then changes to believe.
Johns Gospel The Message to the world is believe
Romans Faith and believe in equal emphasis
Epistles Faith and believe


C. What do the scriptures say is the message that we preach?

The Message today is faith in Christ for salvation. The scripture is our example and the frequency of the words gives us a clear emphasis.


D. Why did Christ preach Repentance to Israel?

Christ preached repentance to Israel (prior to his rejection) because he was calling them to have second thoughts about how they were thinking. He was calling them to return to their covenant obligations.


E. What is the true basis of salvation today?

The basis of salvation today is faith alone in Christ’s atoning sacrifice. It is not based on a change of mind or behaviour. However this does not mean that after believing in the Lord the believer does not have a change of life and behaviour? Obviously not. Those who come to Christ do turn from sin and lead a new life. However it is not a change of life – properly called conversion – that saves.


i. Do we preach Repentance?

The emphasis of the Gospel of the Grace of God is not repentance but faith. We cannot call men to return to God as John the Baptist, Christ, the Apostles and the seventy did. Israel today are in a state of rejection of Christ and Gentile men today are not in able to return to a covenant of which they are strangers.
Eph.2v12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: 19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
The Message of God today in the age of Grace is Faith in Christ and justification by Faith.


ii. Do we preach Faith in Christ alone?

Yes this is the heart and soul of the Christian message. John 3v16 is sufficient to prove this to be true.


iii. Do we preach conversion?

As can seen the concept of conversion is not emphasised a great deal in scripture and conversion means a change of life and direction. This is exactly what happens when God the Holy Spirit changes a man. However a change of direction and life occurs after faith and it is the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. So conversion is not primarily the focus of the Gospel message itself.


Question 1 Some might say, Isn’t this ‘easy believeism’?

This phrase ‘easy believeism’ is a derogatory term to describe the idea that people just believe in Christ in the sense of a casual acknowledgment of Christ’s death. This is not of course true. The bible teaches that the person who is saved is one who casts himself wholly on Christ resting totally upon him for salvation. This is what faith or believing is and it is hardly ‘an easy thing’. It is a total abandonment of ones self and a total faith in the promise of Christ and His work of atoning Grace.


Question 2 Some might say, is this the historic truth of Christianity?

Yes it is, the reformers stated it well in their slogan, ‘Sola Fide’ – Only Faith. They had come to know through controversy and battle that there is only one condition of salvation and that was Faith in Christ alone.
Sola gratis – Only grace
Sola fide - Only faith
Sola Christus - Only Christ
Sola scriptura – Only the Word of God
Sola dei gloria – Only to the glory of God
They preached the truth of Gods Word - Justification by faith. There is nothing to add to faith and they dare not take anything from it.

When George Whitfield and John Wesley set out to preach the Gospel from city to city and village to village they took one message. Justification by faith and they turned the hearts of men in their thousands to the Lord on the basis of this glorious Gospel.


Question 3 Did the Apostles preach Justification by Faith?

They did – Here are a few clear quotations…
Acts.13v39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Rom 3v28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
Rom.5v1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Gal.2v16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal.3v11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
v24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

Question 4 Isn’t repentance a change of behaviour?

In Evangelical circles there is a common misunderstanding as to the true meaning of the word repentance. They believe that the word repentance means a change of mind and a reformation of life - a change of behaviour. It is true that after salvation there will be a change of behaviour but this is not what the word repentance means.


Question 5 Isn’t John the Baptists and Christ’s call to repentance the same message that we preach today?
Acts.19 1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
These men were Disciples of John. They had repented and been baptised just the same as those who heard Christ and his apostles. However they had never come by faith to Christ. Nor had they heard of the cross and resurrection. When they did hear the Gospel they believed and were baptised.
The Message of John was baptism leading to repentance
The message of Paul was faith leading to salvation and Christian baptism.
The message of John Christ and the Apostles was only preached to Israel but the Gospel of the Grace of God was to Jews and Gentiles.
Question 6 Did Christ preach faith?
No. In Christ’s public ministry he did not preach faith in him. He preached the glad tidings of the coming kingdom. However when Israel rejected his message he refused to preach any more and he changed his message dramatically and he then spoke of faith to men and women on a personal basis. Those who believed in him personally were born again.
Question 7 Was the Gospel of the Grace of God preached by John, Christ and his Apostles?
No The message of John and Christ was not based on the cross and resurrection nor was the emphasis faith.
Question 8 Isn’t faith inferred when Christ preached repentance?
No Faith and repentance are fundamentally different things altogether. They are different words and different concepts. The words repentance and faith are mentioned together occasionally – the writers would not use two different words which mean the same thing in the same sentence.
Question 9 What is the Gospel of the kingdom?
The Gospel of the kingdom is the good news that the kingdom of heaven is coming (The messianic kingdom of the Lord Jesus Christ)
The Gospel of the kingdom is the news that the Prophetic scriptures are about to be fulfilled.
The Gospel of the kingdom was addressed only to Israel.
The Gospel of the Kingdom was a call to Israel to think again about how they stand before the Lord God of Israel and it has a legal tone.
The Gospel of the kingdom is addressed to a nation under law.
The Gospel of the kingdom is a call to Israel to return to their obligation under the Mosaic law.
Question 10 If l preached the Gospel from John’s Gospel and Romans then l would not be preaching the subject of repentance?
That’s true the concept of repentance is not specifically mentioned in John or Romans.
Johns Gospel was specifically written to bring men to salvation.
John 20v31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
Romans was written to outline Pauls gospel for the church at Rome..


Let us put our shoulder to the wheel, Let us put our hand to the plough, Let us preach Faith in Christ alone.
Luke 8v50 v50 But when Jesus heard it, he answered him, saying, Fear not: believe only, and she shall be made whole.