Salvation Not Possible Without Works

[Elin]

The ones that enter the kingdom are the ones that DOETH THE WILL of My Father.

As the result of their saving faith which produces the works, not as the result of the works themselves.

The works those people were doing in v23 were not the works of the Father.

Right. . .because the works those people were doing in v23 were not of saving faith, but of counterfeit faith.

The part of this text that consistently gets bypassed by some is Jesus saying the ones that enter the kingdom are the ones thatDOETH the will of the Father Mt 7:21.

No. . .the part that gets bypassed is the works of the Father come only from saving faith, never from counterfeit faith.

 

[posthuman]

there was a way the apostles encouraged the adopted children of God to do good works,
but it wasn't by telling them "you cannot be saved unless you do good works"

they were wroth to say such things, and treat the sacrifice of Christ as though it were nothing.

perhaps you have good intentions, mr. fish, but i believe your implementation of them is quite false.

 

[Elin]

Note the translation to the word "unto" meaning that confession "alone" also will not save you, nothing "alone" will save you.

You know nothing of the power of the grace of God in the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-9).

The results of the gift of salvation (confession, works) do not cause salvation.

 

[Elin]

Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

I don't know about you, but that's pretty clear English to me.

It's your understanding that is not clear, not the English. . .

"Whosoever shall" does not equate to "Whoseover must. . .in order to be saved."

 

[Elin]

What do you mean by "salvation"?
Some are thinking about an award that follows some future judgment.
Others are thinking about obtaining a transformation of their wretched sinful self, transformation
from sinner to child of God, right now.

"Salvation" is from the wrath of God (Ro 5:9) at the final judgment because of
forgiveness of sin (Lk 1:77) through faith, which is righteousness/justification (Ge 15:6).

 

[Elin]

Can a Christian (one with faith) not have good works and his faith only (void of good works) save him anyway?

Yep. . .it's the same as becoming a runner, having never ever run, and still being a runner anyway.

 

[Elin]

We are always a little concerned at glib phrases like 'once saved, always saved' because they carry within them the grave danger of complacency. While we believe the statement is in fact true we must always enter the firm caveat, 'as long as a person is really saved', and the only final test of that from the Bible’s point of view is to be found in their subsequent lives. For when Jesus Christ saves someone that salvation is effective. ‘If any man is in Christ Jesus he is a new creature, old things pass away and verything becomes new’ (2 Corinthians 5.17).

We do not by this wish to throw doubt on a person's faith, but the Bible does not just look on salvation as being a fire insurance. Being saved is not all about escaping Hell. It is about wanting to be transformed and made like Christ. In the Bible salvation is a mighty activity of God which does not fail in its purpose. It is true that it saves us from Hell, but it also saves us from ourselves. Thus it teaches different aspects of 'salvation'.

• 
  [*] 1). It speaks of those who have been saved once and for all, ‘the ‘having been saved ones’ (aorist tense). This refers to one act of Christ which is complete for ever. As their Saviour Christ has chosen them and called them to Himself and they are now safe in Him. Their lives are 'hid with Christ in God'.
  [*] 2). It speaks of those who have been saved and are therefor now saved (perfect tense). Here there is the twofold thought of what Christ has done in the past (He has saved them) and of what is true now, they are saved. They are safe in His hands and He will never let them go.
  [*] 3). It speaks of those who ‘are being saved’ (present tense). This is because when Christ reaches out and saves someone it is with the purpose of them being fully saved. Having provided them with overall forgiveness He now carries out the process of making them totally free from sin. This is a lifelong work as they are ‘changed from glory into glory’ (2 Corinthians 3.18) and is only completed when they are presented perfect before Him, not only in status but in reality.
  [*] 4). It speaks of those who will be saved (future tense). This is looking forward to that day when they will be presented perfect before Him.
  [*]

Let us consider the Scripture references for this..

Verses in which it speaks of ‘having been saved’ include Titus 3.5; 2 Timothy 1.9 (aorist tense, something that has happened once for all).

Verses which speak of having been saved and therefore now being saved include Ephesians 2.5; 2.8 (perfect tense, something that has happened in the past the benefit of which continues to the present time). It is a result of being incorporated into Christ by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12.12-13). This is what is in mind when we say a person has been ‘saved’.

But the Bible also speaks of us as those who "are being saved" in, for example, 1 Corinthians 1.18; 2 Corinthians 2.15; (present tense - a process going on).

And it speaks of those who ‘will be saved’ in 1 Corinthians 3.15; 5.5; 2 Corinthians 7.10; 1 Thessalonians 5.9; 2 Thessalonians 2.13 (future tense - something yet to happen - and equivalents).

In other words, when God ‘saves’ someone they are saved once and for all, and it is fully effective. But if it is genuine it means that it will then result in a process by which they are being ‘changed from glory into glory’(2 Corinthians 3.18), with the final guarantee of a completed process. If the salvation is not progressing, even though slowly, then its genuineness must be questioned. The Saviour does not fail in His work.

Consider a man drowning at sea, in a fierce storm, clinging to a life raft with one hand, his other arm broken and trailing behind, and both his legs paralysed, having been many hours in the freezing water and suffering from hypothermia, more dead than alive. Then along comes the life boat and drags him out and he gasps, hardly able to speak because of the seriousness of his condition, "I am saved". Well, it is true. He is no longer doomed. But he has a long way to go. He would not have much confidence in his salvation if they put him to one side in the bow of the boat, with the waves lashing over him, and said to him, "Well, you’re saved now", and then went off and played cards and then practised turning the lifeboat over. His confidence and dependence lie in a fully trained and capable crew who are dedicated to warming him up, treating him and getting him to hospital so that he can be fully restored.

So as they get to work on him, wrapping him in a blanket and gently warming his frozen limbs, trying to set his broken arm and doing everything else necessary to restore him to some kind of normality, he can begin to have hope and think gratefully to himself, "I am being saved". But he may well still be aware of the winds howling round, and the boat heaving in the heavy seas, and the pain and agony of his limbs, and he may then look forward and think, "I will soon be saved".

If those crewmen, and the ambulance waiting for him on shore on that terrible night, can be so dedicated, can we think that the One Who died on a cross for us on an even more terrible night, can be less dedicated? He does not just want us in the lifeboat. He wants us fully restored. And that is what He is determined to have. And we can be sure that the Good Shepherd and the Great Physician will not fail in His task. But if we want to be saved it is full salvation that we must want! We cannot say, ‘Lord, save me, but leave me as I am’.
This salvation is entered into by an act of faith and commitment. As we genuinely recognise our need to be saved (in every way) from sin we commit ourselves completely to the One Who Saves (the Saviour), and trust Him to carry out the work, knowing that once He has begun the good work He will carry it out to the end (Philippians 1.6). We are then ‘saved’, and have entered the process of ‘being saved’.

Notice that the act of commitment being described is not speaking of our commitment to do certain things, as though we could somehow merit salvation. It is an act of commitment of ourselves into His saving mercy and power as we admit that we cannot save ourselves.

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to valiant again.

 

[Elin]

(1)Dead faith only>>>>>>(2)saves>>>>>>>>>>(3)then one does works.

. . .the above scenario cannot be possible.

Agreed. . .because you left out the part between (1) and (2) where the Holy Spirit raises to eternal life in the new birth. . .then one does works.

That Holy Spirit (pneuma--wind) who is the wind which blows wherever it pleases (sovereignly),
being "seen" only by its effects (Jn 3:8). So it is with everyone born of the Spirit (Jn 3:9)

 

[Elin]

Setting the word of God against itself proves ipso facto that one does not understand it, for God does not contradict himself in his word written.

It is in the bible where people are told to save themselves, save thyself, cleanse yourselves, etc.

Addressed above. . .

 

[Elin]

You are refuting your own argument now.

You say "Dead faith is no saving faith--only a counterfeit faith."
Yet yourself and others here a desperately trying to get one saved by a dead faith only:

(1)dead faith only>>>>>>>>(2)saves>>>>>>>>>>(3)then do works

Except for that part you left out between (1) and (2). . .previously addressed.

As always, I will go with what Paul says.

If only. . .

 

[Elin]

Yep. . .

Glad to see you finally got it.

No, you are trying to create the impossible by saying:
one is a runner who has never ran,
one is a slave to righteousness who has never done righteousness.

Neither is possible.

Addressed above. . .

 

[Elin]

Not in the NT sense of the word "works" when used in regard to salvation.

That's the gospel according to SeaBass.

Rev 20:12,13 men will be judge according to their WORKS, therefore whether one receives salvation or condemnation depends upon his WORKS.

James 2:25 Rahab justified by WORKS
James 2:24 a man is justified by WORKS
James 2;21 Abraham justified by WORKS

Not only is the word "works" associated with salvation, the words 'obey" 'obedience' 'doeth' are associated with salvation, Heb 5:9; Mt 7:21, etc, etc.

Addressed above. . .

 

[Elin]

Righteousness is right DOING.

Only in sanctification. . .not in justification, where it is a gift (Ro 5:17).

Your religious persuasion is not informed of the NT's full meaning of "righteousness."

There isn't much in the NT that isn't truncated by your religious persuasion.

 

[SeaBass]

Yes, if you do not BELIEVE you will die in your sins. In Luke 8:12, Jesus said BELIEVE and be saved. According to your 4 step mixed up plan of salvation it's BELIEVE and still lost until after you accomplish 3 more additional requirements afterwards. You don't agree with Jesus. What did Jesus say in John 3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26? What is the ONE requirement in each of these verses? What happened to these 3 more additional requirements "after" we BELIEVE in Him?

If we don't repent "change our mind" and BELIEVE then we won't be saved. Notice how you REVERSE the scriptural order of repent and believe. To the contrary we find:

Matthew 21:32 - For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectorsand the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent and believe him.

Mark 1:15 - Repent and believe the gospel.

Acts 20:21 - testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

The broader context of this passage relates to the fact that the Pharisees had continuously denied Jesus while the disciples spoke about Him in every city they visited. We might paraphrase His teaching this way: "Whoever confesses me before men (such as you disciples), I will confess him before my Father in heaven. But whoever denies me before men (like these Pharisees do on every occasion they get), I will deny him before my Father in heaven. Those who confess Jesus are those who recognize Him as being the true Messiah and trust exclusively in Him for salvation. Those who deny Jesus (and those who give mere lip service confession) but refuse to trust exclusively in Him alone for salvation place themselves beyond any possibility of salvation, since salvation is found only in Him (John 3:16; 14:6). The word for "deny" is an aorist tense. This points to the fact that Jesus is not talking about a single instance of denial (as was the case with Peter, who actually denied Him three times - Luke 22:34), but is referring to life in its entirety. Hence, the person who throughout his life denies Christ (as was typically the case with the Pharisess and includes unbelievers who may even give mere "lip service confession" - Matthew 7:21-23, but lack saving faith) will be denied by Christ before the Father. Those who confess Christ before men throughout their life is DESCRIPTIVE of saved believers. Those who deny Christ before men throughout their life is DESCRIPTIVE of lost unbelievers. Unbelief joined with lip service confession (Matt 7:22) = deny.

Jesus said he who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism essential to salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief, not on baptism. So salvation rests on belief. If we look at this verse closely, we see that it is composed of two basic statements. 1—He who believes and is baptized will be saved. 2—He who does not believe will be condemned. Clearly, the determining factor regarding whether one is saved or condemned is whether or not he believes. In interpreting this passage correctly, it is important to realize that while it tells us something about believers who have been baptized (they will be saved), it does not say anything about believers who have not been baptized. In order for this verse to teach that baptism is absolutely necessary for salvation, a third statement would have had to be included, that statement being: "He who believes and is not baptized will be condemned" or "He who is not baptized will be condemned." But, of course, neither of these statements is found in the verse. If water baptism is absolutely required for salvation, then why did Jesus forget to mention it in the following verses? (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26). What is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions 9 different times in each of these complete statements? BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics.

Christ did not "patch together" all 4 of them in your mixed up order and Christ did not use bad semantics and flawed hermeneutics to create your distorted gospel plan of works salvation.

By the time that you distort and pervert these passages of Scripture in an effort of "patching together" your perverted gospel plan, they become salvation by works and negate salvation through faith, not works. If faith is just another work in a series of works in a quest to receive salvation by works, then why didn't Paul mention this in Ephesians 2:8,9? Why did he make a distinction between faith and works? Why did James make a distinction between faith and works? (James 2:14-24).

Myself and others are not struggling at all. We know that man is saved through faith and not by works. We know that repentance precedes saving faith and Christ and that the word of faith is in our mouth and in our heart - TOGETHER and that belief/faith and confession are not two separate steps to salvation but are chronologically together (Romans 10:8-10) and that water baptism FOLLOWS salvation through faith (Acts 10:43-47). You are the one who is struggling to understand the truth and also to let go of your works and take hold of Christ through FAITH.

In this isolated situation with the Pharisees or throughout their lifetime? Where is the rest of the story? The Apostle Peter at one point failed to confess Christ before men in this isolated situation in John 18:17,25-27. Peter was a believer and we know that Peter was saved even though he had a weak moment and the same may be true for these Jewish rulers as well.

Christ said those who confess Him before men (believers) He will confess before His Father in heaven and those who deny Him before men He will deny before His Father in heaven. Again, the word for "deny" is an aorist tense. This points to the fact that Jesus is not talking about a single instance of denial (as was the case with Peter, who actually denied Him three times - Luke 22:34), but is referring to life in its entirety. So according to your logic then, Peter denied Christ 3 times publicly before men, so Jesus will deny Peter before His Father. Is that your conclusion? Let's be consistent. Romans 10:9,10 is talking about confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. This is done upon conversion. Believes unto righteousness/confession made unto salvation. Believers confess Christ before men throughout their lifetime (Matthew 10:32) BECAUSE they are saved, not to become saved. You have this all mixed up.

Christ said repent and believe the gospel. Those who have done so have "trust and reliance" in Christ for salvation. Your "trust and reliance" is in "water and works" and not in Christ. The word of faith is in our mouth and in our heart - TOGETHER. It's not about must confess but will confess. It's not believe today but still lost and finally confess next week and are finally saved next week. We submit to baptism AFTER we repent and believe in Him and are saved (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18).

The demons have "belief only" which is mere "mental assent." Their "trust and reliance" is in Satan, not in Christ. They may believe that "there is one God" but they do not believe/entrust their spiritual well being to Christ; have faith/reliance upon Christ for salvation. We place our "trust and reliance" in Christ when we believe in Him/place our faith in Him for salvation. Seeking salvation by works is not doing what Jesus said to do (John 3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26).

Jesus NEVER said to believe only to be saved. If He did then He contradicted Himself.

Jn 3:16------believeth>>>>>>>>>>not perish/saved
Lk 13:3,5---repent>>>>>>>>>>>>not perish/saved

Jesus made repentance of equal importance and necessity to not perishing(saved) as He did belief. This means all the belief only in the world will never save an impenitent person. Jesus also made confession and baptism of the same equal importance and necessity of belief and Jesus never contradicted Himself by saying belief only saves.

You posted yourself (my emp) "If we don't repent "change our mind" and BELIEVE then we won't be saved." You killed the man-made belief only theology yourself. Or will you backtrack and claim belief only really saves repentance is not necessary?


Rom 10:10 ...confession is made unto salvation..confession id not made because one is already saved. BY trying to get one saved by belief only with no confession does not save (Jn 12:42), it is trying to get one saved that denies Jesus is the son of God and denies the facts of the gospel/death burial resurrection of Christ.
In Mt 10:32.33 Jesus said "whosoever confesseth me" and "whosoever shall deny Me" The word whosoever refers to anyone and everyone not just those who were already His disciples.



Christ most certainly did "patch together" belief, repentance, confession and baptism, patch them all together on how one is to be saved.

Jesus said;
belief saves, Jn 8:24
repentance saves, Lk 13:3,5
confession saves, Mt 10:32,33
baptism saves Mk 16:16

Jesus made each and every one of equal imprtance and necessity to salvation and he put all of them BEFORE salvation not after.

The man-made teaching of faith only must therefore rip these words of Jesus apart creating a whole host of contradictions in trying to find a way to save the impenitent, the denier of Christ and those in their unremitted sins.

The devils believe but is is just a mental assent of the mind for their belief does not contain the necessary works in repenting of sins. confessing Christ and submitting to baptism for remission of sins.

A belief that supposedly has "trust and reliance" in Christ but does NOT DO what Christ said (Lk 6:46) is also nothing more than a mental assent of the mind, it is a vain belief (Mt 15:8,9)

 

[Elin]

Keeping in mind that it is not the works which save. . .

The mere fact that you feel it incumben upone yourself to even mention this demonstrates your lack of understanding of your family in Christ who know to do their best to be children of obedience.

I am afraid that accusation is yet there, not veiled at all. All worrks after having received the gift of faith is strictly the normal reaction of loving children to an even more loving Father.

You need not continuye casting that shadow of accusation by bringing it up every time works are mentioned. Where on earth do you suppose our heavenly rewards will be earned if not by works of faith?

In light of the ongoing discussion, might it not be stated for the sake of the one to whom you are responding. . .that he not misunderstand?

Perhaps your comments could be more completely Biblical.

 

[JaumeJ]

If a person is against obedience to God, that is being obedient children, then there is no alternative thinking than to take that person as teaching disobedience of God's will. None of the law is to be taught agains as per Jesus Christ the Author of all. God bless you and hold you close in truth always.

 

[Elin]

If a person is against obedience to God, that is being obedient children, then there is no alternative thinking than to take that person as teaching disobedience of God's will. None of the law is to be taught against as per Jesus Christ the Author of all. God bless you and hold you close in truth always.

It is totally Biblical for a person to be against obedience to God as the source of the gift of salvation
(Eph 2:8-9).
It is not Biblical to be against obedience as the result of the gift of saving faith, in the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, those in the New Covenant are not under the OT Mosaic regulations.
They are under the New Covenant Law of Christ (Mt 22:37-40; 1Co 9:20-21; Gal 6:2; Jas 2:8;
Ro 13: 8, 9, 10).

 

[JaumeJ]

It seems you are still equating obedience to God's law as being under the law. Of course you are ignoring what I have already shared with you from the Word. We are children of obedience. this does not translate as our being under the law, rather we obey God because of the love and gratitude which accompanied the infilling of the Holy Spirit.

If you continue believing the law is obsolet you are, as you say to other so frequently, rejecting Christ. I do not believe you wish to do this, so I will continue to pray for you, as you pray for me.

It is totally Biblical for a person to be against obedience to God as the source of the gift of salvation
(Eph 2:8-9).
It is not Biblical to be against obedience as the result of the gift of saving faith, in the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit.

Likewise, those in the New Covenant are not under the OT Mosaic regulations.
They are under the New Covenant Law of Christ (Mt 22:37-40; 1Co 9:20-21; Gal 6:2; Jas 2:8;
Ro 13: 8, 9, 10).

 

[SeaBass]

Faith is dead until we repent and believe the gospel. Then we act upon it by producing good works. Saved by grace through faith, not works, created in Christ Jesus unto good works (Ephesians 2:8-10). You have this out of balance. It's not a dead faith that confesses Christ and submits to baptism. The devil's belief is dead because they do not repent and believe the gospel.

Saving faith in Christ is alive, not dead. Ephesians 2:5 - even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 8 THROUGH FAITH, 9 NOT WORKS, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS. *Notice the order that you continue to reverse. You have the tail wagging the dog. The cart before the horse. *Does a dead faith produce good works in order to become a living faith or BECAUSE it's a living faith? *Does a dead tree produce fruit in order to become a living tree or BECAUSE it's a living tree?

Amen! The key word here is DEMONSTRATION of a dead lifeless faith. Doing good works is a DEMONSTRATION of our faith and not the origin of it.

Who is trying to get it to save? I agree with James. I just don't agree with your faulty interpretation of "salvation by works."

Exactly! I have said this many times. Works is PROOF of genuine faith and a lack of works proves a lack of faith. That's why James said I will SHOW you my faith by my works in James 2:18. How many times have I said that faith is the root and works are the fruit of salvation. No fruit demonstrates that there is no root.

We are saved through faith. We obey the gospel when we choose to believe the gospel (Romans 10:16) and this is from the heart - with the heart one believes unto righteousness (Romans 10:10). *This act of obedience is not to be confused with multiple acts of obedience (works) which follow.

Choosing to place our faith in Christ for salvation is an act of obedience. *Again, not to be confused with multiple acts of obedience (works) which follow. Saving faith is belief, trust, reliance in Christ for salvation. Obedience which follows is works. Faith is not baptism, faith is not multiple acts of obedience which follow faith, faith is not works.

They prove that choosing to believe the gospel is an act of obedience, but believes unto righteousness is not defined as multiple acts of obedience (works) which follow. Belief/faith is belief/faith and works which follow are works.

Belief is an act of obedience. Belief is not baptism. Belief is not multiple acts of obedience which follow belief. Belief is not works.

Belief only - per James - is an empty profession of faith, a dead faith, not genuine faith. Belief that trusts only in Christ for salvation/believe the gospel is what saves. This is done with the heart and is more than mere "mental assent" with our head that Jesus exists and that His death, burial and resurrection "happened." With the heart, we trust exclusively in what happened to save us. This is "trust and reliance" in Christ for salvation. Doing what Christ says afterwards is a DEMONSTRATION of our faith but not the origin of it.

I told you, that is an OXYMORON.

There is a huge difference between CLAIMING to have faith but having no works "faith only" - per James (James 2:14-24) and placing our faith only in Christ as the all sufficient means of our salvation (Ephesians 2:8,9). So saved by a death faith theology (which is not what I teach) is killed, but salvation by grace through faith, not works is not killed. Do you understand the difference?

How does a become a Christian and "remain" saved by good works? Is Christ an insufficient Savior? Was His finished work of redemption not enough? Does 1 Peter 1:9 say "receiving the end of your good works or the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls? From beginning "have been saved through faith" NOT WORKS (Ephesians 2:8,9) to end "receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls? (1 Peter 1:9). Salvation is by grace through faith and is NOT BY WORKS.

Actually, good works are not possible for someone who is not a Christian/is not saved (Ephesians 2:8-10). Being a Christian and having no good works at all is an OXYMORON. All Christians are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful.

Faith that trusts only in Christ for salvation brings salvation and maintains it (Ephesians 2:8; 1 Peter 1:9). Faith that only claims to be genuine but demonstrates by the lack of good works that it's dead, neither brings salvation or maintains it. A Christian that produces no good works is an OXYMORON. Genuine faith that produces no good works is an OXYMORON. You need to get it straight what James means by "faith only" (empty profession of faith/dead faith) and what a genuine believer means by salvation through faith IN CHRIST alone. *These are NOT the same statements.

You post "Faith is dead until we repent and believe the gospel."

I agree, faith is dead being VOID of the work of repentance and believing. Again, you kill the man-made theology of belief only by making repentance a part of the process in becoming saved.


You want to rip "no to works" of EPh 2:9 out of it's context then isolate that phrase from all other bible passages and erroneously declare salvation is not of works when that is NOT what Paul is saying at all. Just within that context, the very next verse says "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." Verse 10 makes WORKS a necessity for a Christian to maintain his salvation..no good works = lost. So "not of works" cannot exclude all works from salvation, it does not exclude the good works a Christian does not he obedient works in doing God's will. No verse at all excludes obedient works in doing God's will from salvation.


A belief that saves is always an obedient belief that includes acts of obedience.

SInce repentance saves confession saves and baptism saves then belief must includes these obedient acts.

Comparing Acts 2:40 with 44, the word "believed" in verse 44 includes being baptized from verse 40 so here is one example of the world believed being used as a synechdoche where it includes belief repentance and baptism.

 

[BS]

The words of God are precious.
Tim. 3:16-17 All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God Bless all of you!