Is Believing That Jesus Is the Christ the Same as Believing in Him for Everlasting Life?

Summary

Grace in Focus: Is Believing That Jesus Is the Christ the Same as Believing in Him for Everlasting Life?

Podcast: Grace in Focus
Hosts: Bob Wilkin & Sam Marr
Date: January 20, 2026
Episode Theme:
A deep dive into 1 John 5:1 and its implications for salvation, assurance, and the core of Free Grace Theology. Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr answer a listener’s question about whether believing that Jesus is the Christ is the same as believing in Him for everlasting life, helping clarify doctrinal confusion around assurance, denominational differences, and the use of biblical titles.

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Main Theme Overview

This episode explores the connection between believing Jesus is "the Christ" and having everlasting life, as stated in 1 John 5:1 and paralleled in several passages in the Gospel of John. The hosts focus on the distinction between merely assenting to Jesus’ titles and actually placing faith in His promise of eternal life, as well as the widespread misunderstanding of this truth across denominations. The discussion underscores core Free Grace beliefs regarding the assurance and simplicity of salvation by faith alone.

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Detailed Discussion & Key Points

The Listener Question and the Core Dilemma

• [00:55–01:45]:
  Sam Marr introduces Aidan’s question:
  • 1 John 5:1 says, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
  • Most denominations do not teach this simple faith-alone message.
  • How do we reconcile the verse with denominational teachings?

Theological Landscape and Denominational Views

• [01:45–02:30]:
  Bob Wilkin explains that:
  • Most denominations (Roman Catholic, Orthodox, most Protestants, LDS, Jehovah’s Witnesses, etc.) do not affirm that simple belief that Jesus is the Christ is sufficient for being born again.
  • Many add works or sacraments to faith.

Quote:

“Most people believe in some sort of faith-plus-works salvation. And this is saying whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
— Bob Wilkin [02:20]

What Does “Jesus is the Christ” Mean According to John?

• [02:30–05:33]:
  Bob Wilkin relates his scholarly discussions and explains that merely believing in the title “Christ” or “anointed” is insufficient; the biblical meaning is richer.
  • Points to John 11:25–27, where Martha confesses faith in Jesus as the Christ, equivalent to believing in His promise of life.
  • John 20:31 explains the intent of John’s Gospel:
    • “These are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.”

Quote:

“What John means by that is not that they believe that's his last name… None of that is what John means by Jesus is the Christ in 1 John 5:1.”
— Bob Wilkin [03:30]

Biblical Analysis: Belief That Grants Life

• [05:33–06:38]:
  Bob sets out that:
  • “Believe that” (Greek: pistuein hoti) and “believe in” (pistuein eis) are synonymous in John’s writings with respect to salvation.
  • The key is belief in Jesus as the Christ who imparts eternal life.

Quote:

“Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, has that life, has everlasting life.”
— Bob Wilkin [05:30]

Why Most Reject the Faith-Alone Message

• [07:13–07:51]:
  • The message of a free gift runs counter to most religious (and even most Christian) traditions, which prefer works-based deliverance.

Quote:

“The idea that somehow this would be a free gift that's simply given to those who believe in Jesus for that gift… It's very foreign to people.”
— Bob Wilkin [07:35]

Addressing Objections: Demons & “Believing” Correctly

• [07:51–09:15]:
  Sam Marr brings up James 2:19 (“even the demons believe”) as a common challenge. They clarify:
  • Demons do not believe in Jesus as the Christ for everlasting life.
  • The context of James 2:19 is not soteriological; it refers to monotheism.
  • In John’s writings, “the Christ” and “Son of God” are functionally synonymous titles pointing to Jesus as Messiah and life-giver.

Quote:

“Demons don't believe in Jesus Christ for everlasting life because they know that promise wasn't presented to them…”
— Sam Marr [08:05]

Quote:

“There's no mention of anything here except for belief. And the result of that belief is everlasting life.”
— Sam Marr [09:02]

Messianic Titles: Christ, Son of God, and Son of Man

• [09:15–11:50]:
  Bob explains:
  • Titles like “Christ,” “Son of God,” and “Son of Man” are all messianic, not strictly about deity or humanity.
  • John 1:49—Nathanael’s confession (“You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!”) equates Son of God with the King/Messiah.
  • In the OT, enthronement psalms refer to Israel’s kings as God’s “sons”—culminating with Jesus.

Quote:

“Son of God in John 1:49 is a messianic title… So Son of God doesn't equal Deity. It equals Messiah, King.”
— Bob Wilkin [10:57]

Assurance and Application for Listeners

• [11:50–13:01]:
  Bob encourages all listeners, especially those lacking assurance, to meditate on John’s key salvation verses (John 3:16, 5:24, 11:25–27, 20:31; 1 John 5:1) and to read the Gospel of John prayerfully.

Quote:

“Lord, is it just as simple as believing in Jesus for the everlasting life he promises?”
— Bob Wilkin [12:45]

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Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “Most people believe in some sort of faith-plus-works salvation. And this is saying whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.”
  — Bob Wilkin [02:20]

• “What John means by that is not that they believe that's his last name…”
  — Bob Wilkin [03:30]

• “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, has that life, has everlasting life.”
  — Bob Wilkin [05:30]

• “The idea that somehow this would be a free gift that's simply given to those who believe in Jesus for that gift… It's very foreign to people.”
  — Bob Wilkin [07:35]

• “Demons don't believe in Jesus Christ for everlasting life because they know that promise wasn't presented to them…”
  — Sam Marr [08:05]

• “There's no mention of anything here except for belief. And the result of that belief is everlasting life.”
  — Sam Marr [09:02]

• “Son of God in John 1:49 is a messianic title… So Son of God doesn't equal Deity. It equals Messiah, King.”
  — Bob Wilkin [10:57]

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Important Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:55 — Listener question introduction
• 01:45 — Denominational views on 1 John 5:1
• 03:58 — Martha’s confession in John 11:27
• 05:18 — The purpose statement of John’s Gospel (John 20:31)
• 07:13 — Why the faith-alone message is rejected
• 07:51 — Addressing the James 2:19 “demons believe” objection
• 09:15 — Messianic significance of scriptural titles
• 10:43 — John 1:49 and Old Testament enthronement psalms
• 11:50 — Pastoral encouragement for assurance

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Final Thoughts

Bob Wilkin and Sam Marr thoroughly articulate the Free Grace perspective on salvation, emphasizing the sufficiency of faith in Jesus as the Christ for receiving eternal life. They distinguish this belief from intellectual acknowledgment of titles, stressing personal faith in Jesus’ promise. The episode encourages listeners to reconsider traditional assumptions and to search the Scriptures—particularly the Gospel of John—for assurance and clarity regarding salvation.

Listeners are left with practical advice: meditate on key “faith alone” verses and prayerfully seek assurance directly from Scripture.

Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society is believing that Jesus is the Christ the same as believing in him for everlasting life. A great discussion is just ahead right here on Grace in Focus. We're glad you're tuned in. Thanks for being here today. Grace in Focus is the radio broadcast and podcast ministry of the Grace Evangelical Society. Our website is faithalone.org and we release YouTube videos a couple of times a week. Our channel YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. We invite you to subscribe like and view these videos and once again YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. Our website faithalone.org and now with today's question and answer discussion, here is Bob Wilkin along with Sam Marr.

[B]

Alright Bob, we've got a question from last year technically right now we've got a stack of a few dozen questions on our table right now and even more in my inbox. So I apologize but there's only so many hours in a day, only so many radio sessions we can do to get to all the questions. But this question is from Aiden and he's asking about a verse in First John. It's First John 5:1. Here's what he says. Let me read what he says and then we'll, we'll get into discussing it. But he says 1st John 5:1 states that all who believe that Jesus is the Christ are born of God. But most denominations don't believe this. We know that only through faith alone, in Christ alone are we saved. But most denominations don't teach this. How do we rectify this verse with the fact that most denominations apparently are not in agreement with this verse?

[C]

Okay, so that's a great question Aidan, and it's got multiple layers in it. First of all, he is correct that most denominations would not agree that anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Roman Catholic wouldn't argue that way. An orthodox person wouldn't argue that way. Certainly most Protestants wouldn't believe that whether they believe in lordship salvation or work salvation. The same would be true with the cults Latter Day Saints. The Mormons don't believe that. The Jehovah's Witnesses don't believe that. Most people believe in some sort of faith plus works salvation. And this is saying whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. So I would agree with Aidan on that. And I think this does allow us some ability to influence people. But on the other hand, I think it's important to recognize what this verse isn't saying. I remember I had a friend who got his doctorate in patristics from UCLA and was classical Greek scholar and also a Latin scholar and everything else. And he saw some of the things I had written about believing that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. From John 11:27 and John 20:31. I was arguing that anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has everlasting life. And he said to me, bob, if that's true, then everybody in Christianity would be born again because everybody believes Jesus is the Christ. And I argued, no, what John means by that is not that they believe that's his last name, right? Or that they believe the Hebrew word that Mashiach means the anointed one, or Christos means the anointed one, that Jesus was the anointed one, or Jesus is the king of Israel. None of that is what John means by Jesus is the Christ. In 1 John 5:1. Look, Sam, at John 11:25, 27. And start by reading verse 27. Jesus asked Martha, do you believe this? And her answer is in verse 27.

[B]

She said to him, yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God who has come into the world.

[C]

Okay, so notice Jesus didn't say anything about himself being the Christ or being the Son of God. But what he said was, he who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. That's the promise of life. I am the resurrection, and the life as the resurrection. He says, he who believes in me, though he may die, yet he's going to be raised. He shall live physically, he'll be glorified. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. That's the promise of the life. I am the resurrection, and the life as the life. He says, whoever believes in me will never die. So both the promise of glorification and the promise of never dying spiritually are promises of eternal security. And then he asked Martha, do you believe this? Well, she doesn't say, yes, Lord, I believe you're the resurrection and the life. She doesn't say, yes, Lord, I believe that whoever believes in you, though he may die, he's going to be glorified. Nor does she say, yes, Lord, I believe that whoever lives and believes in you is never going to die spiritually. Instead, she says, why? She believes what he said. Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ. The Son of God is to come into the world. Now compare that to John 20:31.

[B]

Could you read that starting in verse 30? And truly, Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples which are not written in this book, but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name.

[C]

So notice pistuo hati to believe that in John 20:31, which is the same thing in John 11:27. Pistuohati I believe that is the same as Pistuo Eis believing in like John 3:16. Whoever believes in him will not perish, but has everlasting Life. And John 20:31 is saying whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, has that life has everlasting life. Coming back to Aidan's question, what people should understand about First John 5:1 is that if I believe that Jesus is the one who guarantees everlasting life to those who believe in him, well then I'm born again. And if I've ever believed that I'm born again. But I think John's point is if you meet anyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ in the sense that John means that, you know, you're talking to someone who has the life of God, who is born again, you are.

[A]

Invited to subscribe to the Grace Evangelical Society's YouTube channel. You will find our Monday, Wednesday and Friday videos there, enlightening and encouraging and even probably humorous at times. If you like Bob Wilkins humor, indeed you will get biblical truth about free grace themes like faith alone for eternal salvation and why the Grace evangelical society is zero point Calvinistic. Come your way three times a week at the Grace Evangelical YouTube channel. Check it out and tell a friend about the Grace Evangelical Society.

[C]

So I don't know why most denominations or churches don't believe 1st John 5:1. Why do most people reject the faith alone message? I think it's because it doesn't match their tradition. Whether you're Jewish or Muslim or Buddhist or Hindu or most flavors of Christianity, you believe in some sort of works deliverance, works salvation. The idea that somehow this would be a free gift that's simply given to those who believe in Jesus for that gift. It's very foreign to people.

[B]

Yeah. For Christians that disagree with the faith alone message they like to go to, is it James 2:18 you believe? You do? Well, even the demons believe 2:19. Yeah, 2:19. They love to go to that one and say, well, believe that Jesus is the Christ. Even the demons believe that Jesus is the Christ. But I think what you explained, it's valid here and it's valid in James that the demons don't believe in Jesus Christ for everlasting life because they know that promise wasn't presented to them Right. And really that's not even the context of that verse, because it's talking about God being one. But here I think this is a great example of this is not just believe that Jesus existed, that guy from Jerusalem 2000 years ago. This is believe in him for everlasting life. Another good thing to point out is that the Christ is interchangeable with Son of God here, because those two verses we looked at in the Gospel of John, he says, the Christ, the Son of God. And then here in first John, a few verses down in verse five, he says, he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. And then if you go towards the end of the chapter, I guess the middle, very encouraging verses, these things I've written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. And here especially, there's just no mention of anything here except for belief. And the result of that belief is everlasting life.

[C]

Great point, Sam. Both the expression the Christ and the expression the Son of God are both messianic titles. The Messiah is the Christ. Christos is the same as Mashiach. The same is true with Son of God. It's a Messianic title. Now, when people see Son of Man in Matthew, Mark and Luke, they say, well, that refers to Jesus humanity. And when they see Son of God, they say that refers to Jesus deity. And so a lot of people, when they say, you need to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, they say, you need to believe in his deity. Well, that's not what it means. Son of God is a messianic title. If you compare First John 5:1 with First John 5, 9, 13, it's crystal clear that the Christ and the Son of God are synonymous expressions. And can you turn Sam to John 1:49? What's interesting is Philip goes and gets this guy named Nathaniel, and he calls Nathaniel to come and meet Jesus. And as Jesus is coming up, he says, behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no deceit. And then he says, well, do you know me? And he mentions that when Philip came up to you when you were under the fig tree, he said, I saw you. And that leads to Nathanael making a statement in verse 49. What does he say?

[B]

Nathanael answered and said to him, rabbi, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel.

[C]

Does that not sound like what he's saying is Son of God equals king of Israel?

[B]

That is what it sounds like.

[C]

You are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel. Remember in the Psalms, the royal enthronement psalms, Thou art my Son, today I have begotten thee. That was said when David was made king. That was said when every Davidic king was put into office. They were God's Son awaiting God's ultimate Son and the Lord Jesus Christ. When he is installed as King in the beginning of the millennium, the Father will say, you are my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Jesus is the Son of God, the King of Israel. And so Son of God in John 1:49 is a messianic title. These guys had said that they had found the Messiah. Notice in John 1:45 Philip found Nathanael and said, and we have found him, of whom Moses in the law and also the prophets wrote, jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. They're saying, we found the Messiah. When Jesus reveals that he had seen Nathanael before, Nathanael is convinced and Nathanael says, you are the Son of God. You are the King of Israel. So Son of God doesn't equal Deity. It equals Messiah, King and Son of man doesn't equal humanity. It equals Daniel Chapter 7, the son of Man. Who is the Messiah King? The ruling King anyway, Aidan, Great question and I do hope that anyone who lacks assurance will meditate on first John 5:1, meditate on John 3:16, John 5:24, John 11:25, 27 be a great passage to study John 20:31. In fact, I'd encourage you read through the entire Gospel of John a chapter a day and prayerfully say, lord, is it just as simple as believing in Jesus for the everlasting life he promises? Well, thanks Aidan and all of you. And remember, keep Grace in Focus.

[A]

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