Why Does The Gospel Of John Not Use The Word “Pray”?

Why Does Johns Gospel Of Not Use The Word pray?Or faith (As a noun)?

Fair Sunday Church Service, 9-18-2016

BIBLE IN FIVEPastor Dave KooyersValley Bible FellowshipBox 433Boonville CA 95415http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org

(707) 895-2325God bless you as you examine His Word,Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5

These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge. Matthew 10:8 Freely you received, freely give.

http://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Manual-Doing-Church-Growth/dp/097170094X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=a+pastor%27s+manual+on+doing

The Gospel of John Does Not Use The Word prayNot even once in the English translations;The Gospel of John does not use the words pray, prays, prayed, prayer, or praying even once.I think that's interesting in light of the fact that John tells us why he wrote this gospel;NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

John 1:12, 5;24, believe

John Does Not Use Any Of The 4 Greek Words For prayNot even once in the Greek translation;Not one use of any of the four Greek words used for pray* (beseech, entreat, etc.)(in a lemma search).

Fair Sunday Church Service, 2016

The Gospel of John Does Not Use The Word prayDon't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting we dont pray. You are looking at someone who was born again in the middle of a prayer. John records in John 17 of his gospel the Lords high priestly prayer of intercession for the 11 and those also who believe (John 17:20), that's all of us.Believers are commanded to pray, and Jesus prayed at every opportunity and sometimes stayed up all night praying.Acts 16:30 Sirs, what must I do to be saved?Yet, somehow America has determined that Pray this prayer after me is equal to the gospel. It is not!


The Gospel of John Does Not Use The Word prayI think it's interesting in light of the fact that almost all Christian evangelism tracts, and almost all evangelistic messages, end with a prayer to recite.Yet John wrote an entire gospel of the Bible specifically for evangelism and never uses the word pray.John never gives us a prayer to pray to be saved.


What Does John Give Us Instead Of A Prayer?So what does John give us instead of Pray this prayer? NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.The root of this Greek word is used over 90 times in Johns gospel.

John 1:12, 5;24, believeInstead John Gives believe

Salvation Equals= believeNAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.The Gospel of John uses the word believe as the means of salvation.The root of this Greek word is used in this short gospel more than any other book of the Bible.John is equating believe with savedbelieve Plus nothing!

Salvation Equals= believeNAU John 3:15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. 16 that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.NAU John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has eternal lifeNAU John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal lifeNAU John 6:35 he who believes in Me will never thirst.

Salvation Equals= believeNAU John 6:40 believes in Him will have eternal lifeNAU John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes has eternal life.NAU John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."NAU John 11:25 he who believes in Me will live even if he dies,John 1:12, 6:29, John 8:24, 11:40, 12:36, 12:44, 12:46, 14:12, 1 John 5:1,5:10, Acts 16:31, 19:4, Romans 3:22, 10:9, etc.

Salvation Equals= believeIn all those verses and many, many, more there is not one mention of believe and be circumcised, repent, baptized, stop sinning, be a good person, keep the 10 Commandments, keep the seven sacraments, or believe and say this prayer.Only believe!If we add anything to it, salvation becomes a human work.Over 150 times the New Testament refers to salvation as a gift.

Salvation Equals= believeOne exception is that John says to believe and receive the gift;NAU John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,Yet to make sure that we don't think receiving a gift is a human work John says;NAU John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Prerequisites To SalvationI find very few prerequisites to salvation, you must be a sinner, and have the right Jesus, and gospel;NAU Matthew 9:13 for I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners.NAU John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.NAU 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not acceptedGal 1:8-9

Uses of the word faithAlso of interest is the word faith as we examine the Gospel of John. Since it clearly is written for evangelism.It seems that American Christianity has over emphasized faith since John does not use the word once in his evangelistic gospel.

Uses of the word faithThere are over 250 uses of the word faith in the NAU Bible.There are 40 uses alone in the book of Romans, and not one use in the Gospel of John. Not even one use of the noun faith!Why?NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

The Gospel of John Does Not Use The Noun faithMany wrongly believe that it is our faith that saves us. Yet Scripture does not say that;NAU Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

By Grace You Have Been SavedIf a fireman rescued you through the door, it was not the door that saved you, it was the fireman.We have been saved by grace through faith, it was God in His grace that saved us (God brought us through the Door, John 14:6).We receive that grace (unmerited favor) by believing (verb of faith), but it is God who saves us. A gift we do not deserve, and cannot earn.It is not the firetruck or the firehose, that saves people it is the Fireman.

Johns Gospel And FaithThe noun faith, pistis is not used at all in the Gospel of John. Yet the same Greek word in the verb form believe, pisteuo is used more in John than any other book of the Bible, 55% of all uses.Strongs, pisteuoMeaning: to believe, entrustOrigin: from 4102 [to persuade, to have confidence]Usage: believe(118), believed(73), believers(3), believes(29), believing(10), do(1), entrust(1), entrusted(6), entrusting(1), has faith(1).

What is easy believism?

Question: What is easy believism? gotquestions.orgAnswer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (faith alone) teach that no corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in regards to those who believe theyre saved because they prayed a prayerwith no real conviction of sin and no real faith in Christ. Praying a prayer is easythus the term easy believismbut there is more to salvation than mouthing words.Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The essence of this doctrine is found in Ephesians 2:89: For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. So we see that faith, given as a gift by God, is what saves us. But the next verse tells of the results of that salvation: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Rather than being saved by some easy act of our own wills, we are saved by the hand of God Almighty, by His will and for His use. We are His servants, and from the moment of salvation by faith, we embark on a journey of pre-ordained good works that are the evidence of that salvation. If there is no evidence of growth and good works, we have reason to doubt that salvation ever truly took place. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20), and a dead faith is not a saving faith.Faith alone does not mean that some believers follow Christ in a life of discipleship, while others do not. The concept of the carnal Christian, as a separate category of non-spiritual believer, is completely unscriptural. The idea of the carnal Christian says that a person may receive Christ as Savior during a religious experience but never manifest evidence of a changed life. This is a false and dangerous teaching in that it excuses various ungodly lifestyles: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer, liar, or thief, but hes saved because he prayed a prayer as a child; hes just a carnal Christian. The Bible nowhere supports the idea that a true Christian can remain carnal for an entire lifetime. Rather, Gods Word presents only two categories of people: Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, those who have bowed to the Lordship of Christ and those who have not (see John 3:36; Romans 6:1718; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:1824; Ephesians 2:15; 1 John 1:57; 2:34).

While the security of salvation is a biblical fact based upon the finished work of salvation by Christ, it is certainly true that some of those who seemed to have made a decision or accepted Christ may not genuinely be saved. As noted before, true salvation is not so much our accepting Christ as it is His accepting us. We are saved by the power of God for the purpose of God, and that purpose includes the works that give evidence of our conversion. Those who continue to walk according to the flesh are not believers (Romans 8:58). This is why Paul exhorts us to examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). The carnal Christian who examines himself will soon see that he/she is not in the faith.

James 2:19 says, You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believeand tremble! The type of belief demons have can be compared to the intellectual assent made by those who believe in Jesus in the fact that He exists or that He was a good person. Many unbelievers say, I believe in God or I believe in Jesus; others say, I prayed a prayer, and the preacher said I was saved. But such prayers and such belief do not necessarily signal a change of heart. The problem is a misunderstanding of the word believe. With true salvation comes genuine repentance and real life change. Second Corinthians 5:17 says that those who are in Christ are a new creation. Is it possible that the new person Christ creates is one who continues to walk in the carnality of the flesh? No.

Salvation is certainly free, but, at the same time, it costs us everything. We are to die to ourselves as we change into the likeness of Christ. Where easy believism fails is its lack of recognition that a person with faith in Jesus will lead a progressively changed life. Salvation is a free gift from God to those who believe, but discipleship and obedience are the response that will no doubt occur when one truly comes to Christ in faith.

Recommended Resources: So Great Salvation by Charles Ryrie and Logos Bible Software.

Don't squint! The complete article follows after the THE END slide.

http://www.gotquestions.org/easy-believism.htmlAnswer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (faith alone) teach that no corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in regards to those who believe theyre saved because they prayed a prayerwith no real conviction of sin and no real faith in Christ. Praying a prayer is easythus the term easy believismbut there is more to salvation than mouthing words.Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The essence of this doctrine is found in Ephesians 2:89: For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. So we see that faith, given as a gift by God, is what saves us. But the next verse tells of the results of that salvation: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Rather than being saved by some easy act of our own wills, we are saved by the hand of God Almighty, by His will and for His use. We are His servants, and from the moment of salvation by faith, we embark on a journey of pre-ordained good works that are the evidence of that salvation. If there is no evidence of growth and good works, we have reason to doubt that salvation ever truly took place. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20), and a dead faith is not a saving faith.Faith alone does not mean that some believers follow Christ in a life of discipleship, while others do not. The concept of the carnal Christian, as a separate category of non-spiritual believer, is completely unscriptural. The idea of the carnal Christian says that a person may receive Christ as Savior during a religious experience but never manifest evidence of a changed life. This is a false and dangerous teaching in that it excuses various ungodly lifestyles: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer, liar, or thief, but hes saved because he prayed a prayer as a child; hes just a carnal Christian. The Bible nowhere supports the idea that a true Christian can remain carnal for an entire lifetime. Rather, Gods Word presents only two categories of people: Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, those who have bowed to the Lordship of Christ and those who have not (see John 3:36; Romans 6:1718; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:1824; Ephesians 2:15; 1 John 1:57; 2:34).





Question: "What is easy believism? gotquestions.orgAnswer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (faith alone) teach that no corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in regards to those who believe theyre saved because they prayed a prayerwith no real conviction of sin and no real faith in Christ. Praying a prayer is easythus the term easy believismbut there is more to salvation than mouthing words






Believing Is Not EasyIn many Islamic countries around the world you could expect to be butchered or stoned for believing in Jesus. Jesus said in;NAU John 15:20 If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute youNAU John 16:33 In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world."






Lordship Salvation Lordship salvation is the other side of the easy believism coin;NAU John 15:10 "If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My loveNAU Hebrews 5:9 He [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,

John 15:10, Lordship SalvationNAU John 15:10 If you keepThe issue with this controversy and the understanding of these types of verses is; Is this referring to a prerequisite of salvation, salvation as a reward, or a result of salvation? If this is a prerequisite, then it is unclear as to what degree of sinless perfection an unbeliever must achieve, while still in the flesh, before salvation?

John 15:10, Lordship salvation, obey, obedience

John 15:10, Lordship SalvationNAU Hebrews 5:9 He [Jesus] became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation,However, if this is referring to a result of salvation? Then salvation is still a gift, not a wage or reward.Obedience and commandment keeping, along with abiding and loving Christians, are the attributes and identification of being in Christ (a result of salvation).

John 15:10, Lordship salvation, obey, obedience

How Should This Impact Us?Remember that the root of the word faith, pistis is Strongs 3982 peitho {pi'-tho} Meaning: 1) persuade 1a) to persuade, i.e. to induce one by words to believe 1b) to make friends of, to win one's favour, gain one's good will, or to seek to win one, to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one to persuasion to do something 2a) to be persuaded to be induced to believe: to have faith: in a thing 3) to trust, have confidence, be confident

How Should This Impact Us?That describes evangelistic apologetics, making a defense of the faith, lovingly yet forcefully, so that they may believe and be saved;NAU 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.

So, in closingSome folks believe in a partial rapture theory, we don't have time for me to elaborate on that but I found a photo from someone trying to illustrate that position;

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/over-comers-and-the-rapture/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29

Illustrating the Partial Rapture Theory

THE END

http://gracethrufaith.com/ask-a-bible-teacher/over-comers-and-the-rapture/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Gracethrufaith+%28GraceThruFaith%29

BIBLE IN FIVEPastor Dave KooyersValley Bible FellowshipBox 433Boonville CA 95415http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org

(707) 895-2325God bless you as you examine His Word,Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5

These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine." They may be downloaded and modified free of charge. Matthew 10:8 Freely you received, freely give.

http://www.amazon.com/Pastors-Manual-Doing-Church-Growth/dp/097170094X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=8-2&keywords=a+pastor%27s+manual+on+doing

Question: "What is easy believism? http://www.gotquestions.org/easy-believism.html Answer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (faith alone) teach that no corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in regards to those who believe theyre saved because they prayed a prayerwith no real conviction of sin and no real faith in Christ. Praying a prayer is easythus the term easy believismbut there is more to salvation than mouthing words.Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The essence of this doctrine is found in Ephesians 2:89: For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. So we see that faith, given as a gift by God, is what saves us. But the next verse tells of the results of that salvation: For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Rather than being saved by some easy act of our own wills, we are saved by the hand of God Almighty, by His will and for His use. We are His servants, and from the moment of salvation by faith, we embark on a journey of pre-ordained good works that are the evidence of that salvation. If there is no evidence of growth and good works, we have reason to doubt that salvation ever truly took place. Faith without works is dead (James 2:20), and a dead faith is not a saving faith.Faith alone does not mean that some believers follow Christ in a life of discipleship, while others do not. The concept of the carnal Christian, as a separate category of non-spiritual believer, is completely unscriptural. The idea of the carnal Christian says that a person may receive Christ as Savior during a religious experience but never manifest evidence of a changed life. This is a false and dangerous teaching in that it excuses various ungodly lifestyles: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer, liar, or thief, but hes saved because he prayed a prayer as a child; hes just a carnal Christian. The Bible nowhere supports the idea that a true Christian can remain carnal for an entire lifetime. Rather, Gods Word presents only two categories of people: Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, those who have bowed to the Lordship of Christ and those who have not (see John 3:36; Romans 6:1718; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:1824; Ephesians 2:15; 1 John 1:57; 2:34).










Charles H. Spurgeon said, Trust in the Redeemers strengthexercise what faith you have, and by and by He shall rise upon you with healing beneath His wings. Go from faith to faith and you shall receive blessing upon blessing.

John 16:9, Faith = AssuranceNAU John 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;The noun faith, pistis is not used at all in the Gospel of John. Yet the same Greek word in the verb form believe, pisteuo is used more in John than any other book of the Bible, 55% of all uses.NAU Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.KJV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for hupostasisMeaning: a support, substance, steadiness, hence assurance

John 16:9, Faith = AssuranceKJV Strongs ;assurance 5287 hupostasisMeaning: 1) a setting or placing under 1a) thing put under, substructure, foundation 2) that which has foundation, is firm 2a) that which has actual existence 2a1) a substance, real being 2b) the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing 2c) the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution 2c1) confidence, firm trust, assurance Usage: AV - confidence 2, confident 1, person 1, substance 1; 5Notes: 1 substance: or, ground, or, confidence

Why Does The Gospel Of John Not Use The Word “Pray”?

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Transcript of Why Does The Gospel Of John Not Use The Word “Pray”?