Disbelieving, in the context of the Bible, refers to the lack of faith or trust in God, His promises, or His revelations. This concept is addressed throughout Scripture, often highlighting the spiritual and moral consequences of unbelief.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, disbelieving is frequently associated with the Israelites' failure to trust in God's provision and guidance. A notable example is found in the narrative of the Exodus. Despite witnessing numerous miracles, the Israelites repeatedly doubted God's ability to deliver them. In Numbers 14:11 , the LORD said to Moses, "How long will this people treat Me with contempt? How long will they refuse to believe in Me, despite all the signs I have performed among them?"

The consequences of disbelief are severe, as seen in the Israelites' 40-year wandering in the wilderness. Their lack of faith prevented an entire generation from entering the Promised Land (Numbers 14:22-23).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, disbelieving is often addressed in the context of rejecting Jesus Christ as the Messiah. The Gospels record numerous instances where individuals and groups failed to believe in Jesus despite His teachings and miracles. In John 12:37 , it is noted, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him."

The Apostle Paul also addresses disbelief, particularly in relation to the Gospel message. In Romans 11:20 , he warns, "They were broken off because of unbelief, but you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid." Here, Paul emphasizes the importance of faith and the danger of falling into disbelief.

Theological Implications

Disbelieving is not merely an intellectual stance but a spiritual condition that affects one's relationship with God. Hebrews 11:6 states, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who approaches Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him." Faith is foundational to the Christian life, and disbelief is seen as a barrier to experiencing the fullness of God's promises.

Moral and Spiritual Consequences

The Bible consistently portrays disbelief as a serious moral failing with significant spiritual consequences. In Revelation 21:8 , the fate of the unbelieving is starkly described: "But to the cowardly and unbelieving, and abominable, and murderers, and sexually immoral, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

Encouragement to Believe

Despite the grave warnings against disbelief, the Bible also offers encouragement and hope for those who struggle with faith. In Mark 9:24 , a father seeking healing for his son cries out, "I do believe; help my unbelief!" This plea is met with compassion by Jesus, illustrating that God is willing to strengthen the faith of those who earnestly seek Him.

The call to believe is central to the Christian message, as seen in 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 encapsulates the promise of salvation through faith, contrasting the peril of disbelief with the hope of eternal life.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Disbelieve.571. apistos -- incredible, unbelieving
... From a (as a negative particle) and pistos; (actively) disbelieving, ie Without
Christian faith (specially, a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/571.htm - 8k

And with These Arguments I Answer the Jew, not Disbelieving...
... Chapter XLIV. And with these arguments I answer the Jew, not disbelieving?
And with these arguments I answer the Jew, not disbelieving ...
/.../origen/origen against celsus/chapter xliv and with these.htm

The Illusiveness of Life.
... have expected its fulfilment; he did not look for Canaan, but for "a city which
had foundations;" his faith appears to have consisted in disbelieving the letter ...
/.../robertson/sermons preached at brighton/vi the illusiveness of life.htm

The Dancing of Herodias. The Keeping of Oaths.
... For even the present word of the Jews does not openly deny the prophecies, but
virtually and in secret denies them, and is convicted of disbelieving them. ...
/.../origens commentary on the gospel of matthew/22 the dancing of herodias.htm

Rom. x. 14, 15
... And so by disbelieving, it is not we, he implies, whom you disbelieve, but Isaiah
the prophet, who spake many years ago, that we were to be sent, and to preach ...
/.../chrysostom/homilies on acts and romans/homily xviii rom x 14.htm

Origen Against Celsus
... disbelieves the appearance? Chapter XLIV. And with these arguments I answer
the Jew, not disbelieving? Chapter XLV. And I remember ...
//christianbookshelf.org/origen/origen against celsus/

Defence of the Truth Should Precede Discussions Regarding It.
... For in regard to this subject also we find some utterly disbelieving, and some others
doubting, and even among those who have accepted the first principles ...
/.../the treatise on the resurrection of the dead/chapter i defence of the truth.htm

The Raising of the Dead.
... But last, I do say this, that those men, who, disbelieving in a future state, do
yet live up to the conscience within them, however much lower the requirements ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/viii the raising of the.htm

Inward Witness to the Truth of the Gospel.
... for who can believe that we were intended to live in anarchy? If we have no good
reason for believing, at least we have no good reason for disbelieving. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon viii inward witness to.htm

Introduction
... These seem the only causes that can be imagined, of any man's disbelieving the being
or attributes of God; and no man can be supposed to be an atheist but upon ...
/.../clarke/a discourse concerning the being and attributes of god/introduction.htm

On the Words, and in one Holy Catholic Church, and in the ...
... In like manner every soul believing in a Resurrection is naturally careful of
itself; but, disbelieving it, abandons itself to perdition. ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/lecture xviii on the words.htm

Disbelieving (2 Occurrences)
...Disbelieving (2 Occurrences). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. (WEB). ...
/d/disbelieving.htm - 7k

Unbelieving (22 Occurrences)
... 2. (a.) Believing the thing alleged no to be true; disbelieving; especially, believing
that Bible is not a divine revelation, or that Christ was not a divine ...
/u/unbelieving.htm - 13k

Faithless (46 Occurrences)
... fath'-les: The translation of apistos, "without faith," having the sense of
"unbelieving," "disbelieving." Jesus upbraids the people, "O faithless and perverse ...
/f/faithless.htm - 20k

Embittered (12 Occurrences)
... Embittered (12 Occurrences). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. (WEB WEY NAS). ...
/e/embittered.htm - 10k

Disbelieveth (1 Occurrence)

/d/disbelieveth.htm - 6k

Disc (1 Occurrence)

/d/disc.htm - 6k

Disbelieved (9 Occurrences)
... (ASV RSV). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered
the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. (See NAS). ...
/d/disbelieved.htm - 8k

Poisoned (7 Occurrences)
... Poisoned (7 Occurrences). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and embittered
the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. (See RSV NIV). ...
/p/poisoned.htm - 8k

Souls (114 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV ASV DBY WBS YLT RSV). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up and
embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. (WEB ASV YLT). ...
/s/souls.htm - 37k

Stirred (64 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV WEY ASV WBS YLT RSV NIV). Acts 14:2 But the disbelieving Jews stirred up
and embittered the souls of the Gentiles against the brothers. ...
/s/stirred.htm - 26k

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