Believe in the Name of Jesus
Bible study on faith in Jesus.

Jn. 1:12

People who have received Jesus in order to obey Him are the people who believe in the name of Jesus.

"Receive" in John 1:12 means to receive "in order to obey" (see Thayer). John uses the past tense ("received").

People who have received (past tense) Jesus in order to obey Him are the people who believe (present tense) in the name of Jesus.

We do not believe in Jesus' name until after we have received Him in order to obey Him.

Acts 3:6, 16; 4:7, 10

The phrase "in the name" of Jesus denotes His authority and power (cf. Es. 8:8).

"Believe" is a verb (action word) meaning to be persuaded and thus confident trust in that which is believed.

To "believe in the name of Jesus" is to be persuaded in Jesus' authority (Matt. 28:18) and thus place our trust in His authority.

People who believe in the name of Jesus totally and completely trust in Christ's authority. Therefore, they obey Him (Heb. 5:9).

People who do not obey Christ are the people who do not believe in His name and therefore will be punished with eternal destruction from the presence of God (Jn. 3:18; 12:48; 2 Th. 1:6-10; Heb. 5:9).

1 Jn. 3:21-24

People who believe in the name of Jesus keep God's commandments. Therefore, they are born of God (1 Jn. 5:1-5; cf. Jn. 1:12-13) and have eternal life (1 Jn. 5:13; cf. Jn. 17:20-21; 20:31).

Also see: RECEIVED JESUS.