In the context of the Bible, beliefs are the convictions or trust that individuals hold regarding God, His nature, His promises, and His commandments. These beliefs are foundational to the faith and practice of those who adhere to the teachings of Scripture. The Bible provides numerous insights into the nature and importance of beliefs, emphasizing their role in the life of a believer.

Faith and Belief

The concept of belief is closely tied to faith in the Bible. Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as "the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see." This assurance and certainty are rooted in belief. Faith is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust and reliance on God. James 2:19 highlights that belief alone, without action, is insufficient: "You believe that God is one. Good for you! Even the demons believe that, and shudder."

Belief in God

Central to biblical belief is the acknowledgment of the existence and sovereignty of God. Genesis 1:1 begins with the foundational statement, "In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." This belief in God as Creator is fundamental to understanding the world and humanity's place within it. The Shema, found in Deuteronomy 6:4 , declares, "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One." This affirmation of monotheism is a core belief in the Judeo-Christian tradition.

Belief in Jesus Christ

For Christians, belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and Savior is central. John 3:16 states, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that everyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." This belief in Jesus' sacrificial death and resurrection is essential for salvation. Romans 10:9 further emphasizes, "If you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Belief in the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's role in the life of a believer is another critical aspect of biblical belief. Jesus promised the coming of the Holy Spirit as a Helper and Guide. In John 14:26 , Jesus says, "But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have told you." Belief in the Holy Spirit involves trusting in His presence and work in the believer's life.

Belief in the Scriptures

The Bible itself is regarded as the inspired Word of God, and belief in its authority is a key tenet of the Christian faith. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 affirms, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work." This belief in the Bible's divine inspiration and authority guides the moral and spiritual life of believers.

Belief and Obedience

True belief in the biblical sense is inseparable from obedience. Jesus taught that love for Him is demonstrated through obedience to His commands. In John 14:15 , He states, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." This connection between belief and action is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, underscoring that genuine faith results in a transformed life.

Challenges to Belief

The Bible acknowledges that belief can be challenged by doubt, persecution, and worldly influences. Jesus' parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23 illustrates how different responses to the Word of God can affect belief. Believers are encouraged to remain steadfast and to "contend earnestly for the faith" (Jude 1:3), recognizing that trials can test and strengthen their beliefs.

Conclusion

While this entry does not include a conclusion, it is evident that beliefs, as presented in the Bible, are integral to the identity and practice of the Christian faith. They encompass trust in God, acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior, reliance on the Holy Spirit, adherence to Scripture, and the manifestation of faith through obedience.391. anastrophe -- behavior, conduct
... 391 (from 303 , "down to " and 4762 , "turn") -- properly, -turning; (figuratively)
change of outward from an "up-turn" of inner beliefs (presuppositions, etc ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/391.htm - 7k

1365. distazo -- twenty thousand
... waver); (figuratively) because refusing to choose way over the other -- "wanting
to have our cake and eat it too"; to halt between two opinions (views, beliefs ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1365.htm - 6k

2583. kanon -- a rule, standard
... from ad 100 on). These beliefs ("rule of faith") were written down by
(about ad 185) and (about ad 200). They emphasized: Christ ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/2583.htm - 7k

3097. magos -- a Magian, ie an (Oriental) astrologer, by impl. a ...
... a Magian, one of a sacred caste, originally Median, who seem to have conformed to
the Persian religion, while retaining some of their old beliefs (v. I vol ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3097.htm - 7k

What Say You, O Races and Nations, Given up to Such Beliefs? when ...
... Book V. 14 What say you, O races and nations, given up to such beliefs? When these
things? What say you, O races and nations, given up to such beliefs? ...
/.../arnobius/the seven books of arnobius against the heathen/14 what say you o.htm

The Church and Rural Public Thought
... One of the first tasks of the church is the introduction of correct thought
in regard to religious beliefs. It is almost unbelievable ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter vi the church and.htm

Glad Confession and Sad Warning
... Every one of us carries professed beliefs, which lie there inoperative, bedridden,
in the hospital and dormitory of our souls, until some great necessity or ...
/.../glad confession and sad warning.htm

Rhodo and his Account of the Dissension of Marcion.
... Although the different Marcionites held various theoretical beliefs, which gave
rise to different schools, yet they did not split up into sects, but remained ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter xiii rhodo and his account.htm

Argument: Moreover, These Fables, which at First were Invented by ...
... and by Falsehoods of a Yet More Attractive Nature, the Minds of Young People are
Corrupted, and Thence They Miserably Grow Old in These Beliefs, Although, on ...
/.../the octavius of minucius felix/chapter xxii argument moreover these fables.htm

The Document and Its Value
... can be traced with increasing clearness as the documents are tested and studied
and compared: but the religious sense of an age, the beliefs which affected life ...
/.../the demonstration of the apostolic preaching/i the document and its.htm

Not Far and not In
... How many of us have lying in our heads, like disused furniture in a lumber-room,
what we suppose to be beliefs of ours, which only need to be followed out to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/not far and not in.htm

The vision of Creation
... The rest but expands it. It was a challenge and a denial for all the beliefs of
the nations, the truth of which Israel was the champion and missionary. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the vision of creation.htm

The Limitations of Earth's Great Week.
... It is true that they were the beliefs of eminent saints, beliefs which were shared
by many of God's people in ancient times, and it is also true that this ...
/.../pink/the redeemers return/9 the limitations of earths.htm

Some Bad Drifts.
... It is benevolent humanitarianism in which we may all help, more or less (usually
less), regardless of our beliefs or lack of beliefs, our church-membership or ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks with world winners/some bad drifts.htm

Beliefs (2 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Beliefs (2 Occurrences). Galatians 1:14 And I went
farther in the Jews' religion than a number of my generation ...
/b/beliefs.htm - 7k

Pauline
... In order to understand the development of Paul's theological system, it
is necessary to begin with his beliefs as a Pharisee. The ...
/p/pauline.htm - 38k

Authority (326 Occurrences)
... The bulk of men's important beliefs are produced and authorized by "custom, education,
public opinion, the contagious convictions of countrymen, family, party ...
/a/authority.htm - 69k

Images (158 Occurrences)
... These associations only become significant because the devoted worshipper already
has a body of beliefs and generalizations which make him attentive to the ...
/i/images.htm - 70k

Magician (5 Occurrences)
... concept. Mature knowledge is preceded by elementary impressions and beliefs
which are subjective without objective correspondences. ...
/m/magician.htm - 24k

Magic (12 Occurrences)
... concept. Mature knowledge is preceded by elementary impressions and beliefs
which are subjective without objective correspondences. ...
/m/magic.htm - 29k

Ethics
... It is true that ethics stands nearer to everyday life and deals with methods of
practical conduct, while dogmatics is concerned with beliefs and treats of ...
/e/ethics.htm - 70k

Eschatology
... In this article it is attempted to exhibit the beliefs on these matters contained
in the Old Testament, with those in the Jewish apocryphal and apocalyptic ...
/e/eschatology.htm - 70k

Tabeel (2 Occurrences)
... In this article it is attempted to exhibit the beliefs on these matters contained
in the Old Testament, with those in the Jewish apocryphal and apocalyptic ...
/t/tabeel.htm - 101k

Josephus
... jo-se'-fus, fla'-vi-us: 1. Early Life and Beliefs: Was born at Jerusalem 37-38 AD,
and died at Rome early in the 2nd century, when is not known precisely. ...
/j/josephus.htm - 13k

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