Topical Bible: Unbelief: Exhibited in Rejecting Christ

◄ Unbelief: Exhibited in Rejecting Christ ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Unbelief, as a concept within the Christian faith, is often characterized by a refusal to accept the truth of God's revelation, particularly as it pertains to Jesus Christ. This rejection is a central theme in the New Testament, where the disbelief in Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God is depicted as a significant spiritual failing.

Biblical Instances of Unbelief

1. The Jewish Leaders: The Gospels frequently highlight the unbelief of the Jewish religious leaders, who, despite witnessing Jesus' miracles and hearing His teachings, refused to acknowledge Him as the Messiah. In John 12:37-38 , it is written, "Although Jesus had performed so many signs in their presence, they still did not believe in Him. This was to fulfill the word of Isaiah the prophet: 'Lord, who has believed our message? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?'"

2. The People of Nazareth: Jesus' own hometown of Nazareth exhibited unbelief, as recorded in Mark 6:4-6 : "Then Jesus told them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown, among his relatives, and in his own household.' So He could not perform any miracles there, except to lay His hands on a few of the sick and heal them. And He was amazed at their unbelief."

3. The Disciples' Initial Doubts: Even Jesus' closest followers struggled with unbelief at times. After His resurrection, Jesus rebuked the disciples for their lack of faith. Mark 16:14 states, "Later as they were eating, Jesus appeared to the Eleven and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen."

Theological Implications of Unbelief

Unbelief in Christ is not merely a lack of intellectual assent but is often portrayed as a moral and spiritual issue. It is seen as a willful rejection of the truth, which has eternal consequences. In John 3:18 , the gravity of unbelief is underscored: "Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son."

The Role of Faith

Faith is presented as the antidote to unbelief. Hebrews 11:6 emphasizes the necessity of faith: "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 in Christ is depicted as the means by which individuals are reconciled to God and receive eternal life.

Consequences of Unbelief

The New Testament warns of the dire consequences of persisting in unbelief. In John 8:24 , Jesus warns, "That is why I told you that you would die in your sins. For unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." This underscores the belief that rejecting Christ results in spiritual death and separation from God.

Call to Overcome Unbelief

The Scriptures call individuals to overcome unbelief through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Acts 16:31 offers the promise of salvation: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household." This call to faith is central to the Christian message, urging all to turn from unbelief and embrace the truth of the Gospel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 16:9
Of sin, because they believe not on me;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Allegation 4 "We Teach that the Greatest Part of the Human Race ...
... treats of the amplitude of the grace exhibited, in the ... hardening in unbelief on account
of rejecting the truth ... One can, also, by his own unbelief, deserve that ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 3/allegation 4 we teach that.htm

According to which principle or hypothesis all the objections ...
... in it; the cause of which unbelief again, as ... mercy of God is excellently well exhibited,
in that ... to acknowledge God's just judgment in rejecting and forsaking ...
/.../proposition vi according to which.htm

Character of the Gospel.
... as I have loved you;" and here it is, also, the sin of unbelief in rejecting a Savior ...
or take the deep spiritual views which are constantly exhibited in John ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/character of the gospel.htm

The Royal Marriage Feast.
... of treating the message were all exhibited simultaneously at ... of the family had through
unbelief shut themselves out ... dry; thus the Jews by rejecting the counsel ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xii the royal marriage feast.htm

Acts III
... hand, and lifted him up." He exhibited no faith ... him out?" He replied, "Because of
your unbelief." [104] In ... hearers as to the consequences of rejecting him, the ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts iii.htm

Believing on Jesus, and Its Counterfeits
... there may come an end to your unbelief by your ... Rejecting all rival confidences, the
heart leans on Jesus all ... In such a case religion is not exhibited by way of ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/believing on jesus and its.htm

The Church as She Should Be
... in receiving the converts and rejecting the hypocrites ... side Rationalism, with its
sneering unbelief and absurd ... wisdom, and common sense, always exhibited in the ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/the church as she should.htm

The Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs.
... the evils which dissension and unbelief will bring ... those tribes, was most active
in rejecting the gospel ... character, not as they had exhibited themselves during ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the testaments of the twelve.htm

Election Confirmed by the Calling of God. The Reprobate Bring Upon ...
... a heavier judgment awaits the reprobate for rejecting the evidence ... doctrine ought
also to be exhibited in our ... And again, "Well, because of unbelief they were ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 24 election confirmed by.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... sanctuary, where the blessings not exhibited in the ... served, indeed, to correct the
unbelief of the ... which voluntarily invite darkness, by rejecting the offered ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm