© 19 Colin Melbourne
Q: Is there a difference between believing on, and believing IN Him?
A: The phrase; believing ON, is primarily used in reference to sinners repenting of unbelief and believing on The LORD Jesus Christ.
It is the point at which a sinner becomes a saint, a child of God, a new creature in Christ.
The format, believing in, is used of those who have been born again, and relates to them continuing to trust in Christ, meaning; in His faith, in His standing, in His righteousness, in His Name, in His words etc.
Only The KJV gets it Right
Conflating the expressions, as if they are synonymous, is one of the many errors modern Bible translations make.
Seek the Lord as you come across these phrases in your KJV study, and ask Him to reveal to you the subtle meanings at each place. Start with these cases of believing on, and let the Holy Ghost teach you directly;
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Jn. 1:12 KJV
Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.Jn. 6:28-29 KJV
In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Jn. 7:37-39 KJV
Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God?
He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?
And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.
And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
Jn. 9:35-38 KJV
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
Jn. 17:20-21 KJV
Believe On Him, and You Are Put In Him
Then, as you come across KJV scriptures talking about believing IN Christ, seek revelation on what the differences are between believing on, and believing in.
Take your time to build a greater depth of understanding that comes as you meditate on His written word.
© 19 Colin Melbourne
