The term "believest" is an archaic form of the verb "believe," commonly found in older English translations of the Bible, such as the King James Version. It is the second person singular present form, used when addressing an individual directly. In the context of Scripture, to "believe" is to have faith or trust in God, His promises, and His revelations.

Biblical Usage and Significance

In the New Testament, the concept of belief is central to the message of the Gospel. Belief is not merely intellectual assent but involves trust and reliance on God and His Word. The Berean Standard Bible uses the more contemporary "believe" in its translations, but the essence remains the same.

Key Scriptures

1. John 3:16 : "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 verse underscores the importance of belief in Jesus Christ as the pathway to eternal life.

2. John 11:25-26 : "Jesus said to her, 'I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?'" Here, Jesus emphasizes belief in Him as the source of eternal life, challenging individuals to trust in His power over death.

3. Romans 10:9 : "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." This passage highlights the necessity of heartfelt belief in the resurrection of Jesus as a condition for salvation.

4. Mark 9:23 : "'If You can?' echoed Jesus. 'All things are possible to him who believes.'" This statement by Jesus points to the power of faith and belief in God's ability to accomplish the impossible.

Theological Implications

Belief is foundational to Christian theology. It is through belief that individuals enter into a relationship with God, receive salvation, and experience the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. The act of believing is both a gift from God and a response to His grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 states, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast."

Faith and Works

While belief is essential for salvation, the New Testament also teaches that genuine faith will manifest in works. James 2:17 asserts, "So too, faith by itself, if it does not result in action, is dead." This indicates that true belief will naturally lead to a life of obedience and good works, reflecting the believer's trust in God.

Conclusion

The concept of "believest" in the Bible is a call to personal faith and trust in God. It is an invitation to rely on His promises and to live a life that reflects that trust. Through belief, individuals are not only justified but also empowered to live according to God's will, demonstrating the reality of their faith through their actions.

What Believest Thou when Thou Sayest, "I Believe in God the Father ...
... Lord's Day 9 Question 26 What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe
in God the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 26 what believest thou.htm

What Believest Thou Concerning "The Forgiveness of Sins"?
... Lord's Day 21 Question 56 What believest thou concerning "the forgiveness of sins"?
What believest thou concerning "the forgiveness of sins"? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 56 what believest thou.htm

What Believest Thou Concerning the "Holy Catholic Church" of ...
... Lord's Day 21 Question 54 What believest thou concerning the "holy catholic
church" of Christ? What believest thou concerning the ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 54 what believest thou.htm

But what Does it Profit Thee Now that Thou Believest all This?
... Lord's Day 23 Question 59 But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all
this? But what does it profit thee now that thou believest all this? ...
/.../various/the heidelberg catechism /question 59 but what does.htm

The Heidelberg Catechism
... Lord's Day 9. Question 26 What believest thou when thou sayest, "I believe in God
the Father, Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth"? Lord's Day 10. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/various/the heidelberg catechism /

Christ's Question to Each
... CHRIST'S QUESTION TO EACH. For the Young. '... Believest then this? She saith
unto Him, Yea, Lord.'"John 11:26, 27. ... 'Believest thou this?'. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture i/christs question to each.htm

Testimonies.
... use them in his business, neither does it create any emotion in the soul, not even
sufficiently to cause man to make a confession: Thou believest that there is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xli testimonies.htm

God's Promise is Sure.
... "But," say they, "when it is said, If thou believest, thou shalt be saved,'
one of these things is required; the other is offered. ...
/.../augustine/anti-pelagian writings/chapter 22 gods promise is sure.htm

On St. Philip's Conversation with Christ He that Hath Seen Me ...
... to be understood as the same with the Son, by saying, "He who seeth me seeth the
Father," how is it that He adds immediately afterwards, "Believest thou not ...
/.../tertullian/against praxeas/chapter xxiv on st philips conversation.htm

'Before Governors and Kings'
... King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest.28. Then Agrippa
said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.29. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture the acts/before governors and kings.htm

Believest (8 Occurrences)
...Believest (8 Occurrences). ... (KJV WBS). John 1:50 Jesus answered and said unto him,
Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? ...
/b/believest.htm - 8k

Believeth (42 Occurrences)
... KJV ASV WBS). John 11:26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall
never die. Believest thou this? (KJV ASV WBS). John 12:44 ...
/b/believeth.htm - 17k

Believes (34 Occurrences)

/b/believes.htm - 15k

Tremble (92 Occurrences)
... WEY ASV). James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble. (KJV DBY WBS). 2 ...
/t/tremble.htm - 34k

Dwelleth (142 Occurrences)
... me, and I in him. (KJV WBS). John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in
the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak ...
/d/dwelleth.htm - 35k

Doest (53 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS). James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well:
the devils also believe, and tremble. (KJV ASV DBY WBS). ...
/d/doest.htm - 22k

Performed (110 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day
that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words ...
/p/performed.htm - 37k

Abiding (40 Occurrences)
... believe not. (KJV ASV DBY WBS NAS RSV). John 14:10 Believest thou not that
I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that ...
/a/abiding.htm - 19k

Abides (37 Occurrences)
... up? Who is this, the Son of man? (DBY). John 14:10 Believest thou not that
I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The ...
/a/abides.htm - 16k

Season (101 Occurrences)
... Luke 1:20 And, behold, thou shalt be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day
that these things shall be performed, because thou believest not my words ...
/s/season.htm - 38k

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