Let’s start with a few verses that speak of believing on the Lord Jesus Christ.

• 1 John 5:1, “Whosoever BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him.”
• 1 John 5:5, “Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that BELIEVETH that Jesus is the Son of God?”

The Apostle John is writing to believers in these verses to give assurance to them that by believing that “Jesus is the Christ is born of God,” and believing that “Jesus is the Son of God”, one is saved and has eternal life.  John even told why he wrote this book, by saying in 1 John 5:13, “These things have I written unto you that BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may BELIEVE on the name of the Son of God.”

I want to point out that there is a HUGE difference in believing ABOUT the Lord Jesus and believing ON the Lord Jesus.  In most cases in the Bible, including the above verses, the Greek word for believe is “pisteúō” and means to ‘have faith in, to entrust, to commit’.  So, it’s clear that this does not mean simply to accept a fact, but to truly put your trust in the One who is the Son of God. 

We read in Acts 16:30-31, “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.”  Again, the word is from the Greek, “pisteúō”.  The Apostle Paul was encouraging this Philippian jailer to trust in the Lord Jesus Christ so that he might be saved. 

In Matthew, chapter 9, we have the well-known story to a woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years.  She sought to get close enough to touch the Lord, for she knew “If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” (Verse 21).  That is truly believing.  That is faith.  What happened next?  This woman did indeed touch the Lord’s garments and was healed immediately.  Was there something magical about the Lord’s clothes that healed her?  Certainly not.  We have the Lord’s words to her in verse 22, “But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said, Daughter, be of good comfort; THY FAITH HATH MADE THEE WHOLE. And the woman was made whole from that hour.”  This woman certainly believed ON the Lord Jesus and His ability to meet her needs.  The Greek word for faith here is “pístis” which is very close to the word “pisteúō” and means ‘persuasion, or to have reliance upon Christ for salvation.’ 

Truly, it is absolutely necessary to know and accept the truth that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.  However, like the woman with the issue of blood, we must BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus.  We must have FAITH in Him…who He is and how He is able to save us when we trust on Him as our savior. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us clearly, ”For by grace are ye saved through FAITH; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”  Dear reader, I pray that you not only believe ABOUT the Lord Jesus and who He is, but that you believe ON the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior.  (CC)  (729.2)