The Basis of Belief

MEMORY TEXT: Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” —Matthew 16:17

JOHN 20:24-31; ROMANS 10:8-14,17

OUR lesson states that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17) The basis of our faith is, therefore, primarily belief, confidence, in the Word of God. True, the wonderful works of God with which we are surrounded inspire confidence and faith in the fact of a Creator, but when we include in faith the things we believe of the divine plan, such a faith can be properly based only on the Word of God.

However, it does not necessarily need to be the written Word alone. In the case of doubting Thomas, he received the information concerning Jesus’ resurrection by word of mouth from the other apostles. Jesus’ resurrection was an important event in the plan of God, and the information which Thomas received concerning it was a basis of faith that this event had occurred; but his faith was not sufficiently strong to take hold of it and to believe on the basis of the reliable information imparted to him.

Thomas asked for a demonstration, and the resurrected Jesus favored him with this demonstration, or as John calls it, a “sign.” Thomas asked to see the nail prints in Jesus’ hands, and to thrust his hand into the wound in his side, and in this request he was accommodated.

We are not to suppose, however, that Jesus’ resurrection body is marred by wounds. It is well to recall that Jesus appeared to his disciples in various bodies. To Mary he appeared as a gardener. (John 20:15) To the two on the way to Emmaus he was a stranger; and even when he appeared to his apostles in the absence of Thomas they apparently did not see the wound in his side, or the nail prints in his hands and feet, for they would have told Thomas so.—Luke 24:18

John’s reference to what happened in the case of Thomas as a “sign” is the explanation. This was only one of the many signs which Jesus gave to demonstrate that the power of God had raised him from the dead. It was one of those “infallible proofs” later referred to by Luke in Acts 1:3. Jesus presented these “infallible proofs” of his resurrection not only for the benefit of his disciples at that time, but for our benefit also, and for the benefit of believers throughout the entire Gospel Age.—John 17:20,21

In order for the Word of God to inspire faith, and become the basis for faith, it must be made known, and God uses believers to disseminate the message of his divine plan of redemption through Christ. Paul writes that the “Word” was nigh to the brethren in Rome. That is because someone had taken it there, and because hearing ears were found.

“How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard?” Paul asks, “and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Those who do hear when the witness is given, and call upon the name of the Lord, are received by him and are “saved.” But much more than mere mental assent to the fact that Jesus died for our sins, and rose again for our justification is involved in the matter of calling upon the Lord. (Rom. 4:24,25) Paul explains that it is “with the heart man believeth unto righteousness [justification]; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”—Rom. 10:9,10

Heart belief is a faith that expresses itself in action, and the action called for in the Scriptures is a full dedication to the Lord and his service. Jesus spoke of it as denying self, and following in his footsteps of sacrifice unto death, as implied in taking his cross. (Matt. 16:24) Those who thus devote themselves to the Lord and his service become his witnesses, confessing with their mouths the great truths centered in Christ—the truths of the divine plan. These, if they continue faithful, will be “saved” with the “great salvation.”—Heb. 2:1-3

Our memory text is revealing. Jesus had asked his disciples who the people thought he was. There were various answers, but when he asked their own opinion, Peter replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” This demonstrated Peter’s faith in Jesus as the great Messiah of promise, and Jesus was pleased. He explained to Peter that “flesh and blood” had not revealed this to him, but that his Father had revealed it to him. This reminds us that we cannot understand much of the truth of God merely upon the basis of human reasoning. It must come from God, through his Word, and upon the basis of faith.

QUESTIONS

What is the basis of our faith in God’s plan?

Did Thomas see Jesus’ resurrection body? Explain.

How is the Word of God communicated throughout the world?

What kind of faith leads to salvation?

Can we learn the truth by mere human reasoning?

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