What Is the Difference in Having Eternal Life and Believing That Jesus Exists?

Summary

Grace in Focus – “What Is the Difference in Having Eternal Life and Believing That Jesus Exists?”

Date: February 9, 2026
Hosts: Bob Wilkin & Ken Yates
Episode Length: ~13 minutes

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Overview

In this episode, Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates tackle a crucial theological distinction: the difference between believing that Jesus existed (or even that He performed miracles and rose from the dead) and believing in Him for the gift of eternal life. The discussion clarifies the object of saving faith in Free Grace Theology, addressing common misconceptions about faith, salvation, and what it really means to possess eternal life.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

The Listener’s Question: What’s the Real Difference?

[01:30]

• Ken Yates introduces Marsha’s question:
  • What is the difference between being persuaded that one has eternal life and merely believing that Jesus existed?
• Ken explains that many can believe Jesus existed, performed miracles, and even rose from the dead, but that alone doesn’t mean they have eternal life.
• Most people—even some unbelievers—are convinced of these historical facts, but this isn’t saving faith by itself.

The Object of Saving Faith

[03:16]

• Bob Wilkin references Gordon Clark’s book Faith and Saving Faith, highlighting the importance of the object of faith:
  • “What distinguishes saving faith from non-saving faith is the object, not the faith.” [03:33]
  • Saving faith is specifically believing in Jesus for everlasting life, not just believing facts about Him.

Example: Mormons and Other Believers of Propositions About Jesus

[04:22]

• Ken: Many Mormons believe Jesus died, was buried, and rose again—even citing 1 Corinthians 15:1-4—but they do not claim present possession of eternal life.
• Bob & Ken: Mere agreement with biblical facts does not guarantee everlasting life—what matters is believing Jesus’ promise of eternal life to the believer.

Faith is Being Convinced of a Proposition

[06:00]

• Bob:
  • “Faith is simply being persuaded or convinced.”
  • Faith is propositional: it’s about being convinced a particular statement or promise is true (e.g., “Whoever believes in Him has everlasting life,” John 3:16).

Scope of Belief—You Don’t Need All Propositions

[07:29]

• Bob:
  • New believers might accept some truths and not others—what matters for salvation is believing Jesus’ promise of eternal life to the believer.
• Ken:
  • A believer might not accept doctrines like eternal rewards or the millennium but if convinced of the promise of eternal life, still possesses it.

Is Mental Assent Enough?

[08:17]

• Bob:
  • Raises the critical point: Is simply being convinced intellectually that Jesus gives eternal life enough? Or does one need a deeper form of “commitment,” “trust,” or “surrender”?

“If I’m convinced that’s true intellectually, is that enough? Or do I also have to have some sort of commitment to Jesus? …If it takes more than simply assent, more than simply believing…then ultimately what you’re saying is John 3:16 is a lie.” — Bob Wilkin [10:44]

• Ken:
  • If you are convinced of the promise, you have it. Other doctrines may or may not be believed, but assurance of eternal life comes from faith in the promise.

The Common Addition of Works

[10:54]

• Bob & Ken:
  • Most forms of Christianity, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Protestantism, and cults, add works or obedience to faith for salvation, which the hosts deny as biblical.

The Misunderstanding of Faith Alone

[11:36]

• Ken:
  • Shares a story: someone claims to believe in faith alone, but then adds, “You have to confess Jesus is Lord”—which adds an extra step and is not simply believing in the promise of eternal life.
  • Assurance can be lost when adding to what the Gospel actually promises.
• Bob:
  • Points listeners to Zane Hodges’ books for further reading on this topic:
    • Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation
    • The Gospel Under Siege

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ken Yates:
  [03:08]

  “You’ll often hear that he [Jesus] was a great moral teacher…But that’s a different thing from being persuaded that he gives eternal life to everyone who believes in him for it.”

• Bob Wilkin:
  [03:33]

  “What distinguishes saving faith from non-saving faith is the object, not the faith.”

• Bob Wilkin:
  [10:44]

  “If it takes more than simply assent, more than simply believing and being persuaded, then ultimately what you’re saying is John 3:16 is a lie.”

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Important Timestamps & Segment Highlights

• [01:30] – Marsha’s foundational question and initial distinctions
• [03:16] – The “object” of faith versus mere acknowledgment of facts
• [04:22] – Mormons as an example of believing facts without assurance of eternal life
• [06:00] – Faith defined as being convinced of a proposition
• [08:17] – “Is mental assent enough?” The hosts address this loaded question
• [10:54] – The widespread misunderstanding and addition of works in Christianity
• [11:36] – Real-life illustration of confusing faith and additional requirements
• [12:22] – Recommendations for Zane Hodges’ work for further study

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Resources Recommended

• Zane Hodges, Absolutely Free: A Biblical Reply to Lordship Salvation
• Zane Hodges, The Gospel Under Siege
• Grace Evangelical Society website: faithalone.org
• GES YouTube Channel: Grace Evangelical Society

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Conclusion

Wilkin and Yates affirm that “saving faith” is putting personal trust or persuasion in Jesus’ promise of eternal life to all who believe. This is sharply distinct from mere intellectual assent to historical facts, general belief in Jesus’ existence, or adding any conditions or commitments beyond faith. This episode underscores Free Grace Theology’s commitment to clarity in the Gospel and assurance of salvation.

Transcript

[A]

The following is a listener supported ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society. What is the object or the focus of believing for the gift of eternal life? What is the difference in believing for eternal life and believing that Jesus exists as God? Maybe you've heard different ideas about this. Let's have a discussion about it today here on Grace in Focus. Thank you friend for joining us. This is a ministry of the Grace Evangelical Society. We exist to proclaim and promote the focused free grace gospel. And you can learn a lot about us at our website, faithalone.org we also produce short YouTube video content weekly. You can find them at our channel, YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. And why not consider being with us for our national annual conference coming up in May 18th through the 21st. If you are a first timer, the registration fee is waived and other information you'll need you'll find at our web site, faithalone.org and now with today's question and answer discussion, here are Bob Wilkin and Ken Yates.

[B]

Well, I'm here with the Right Honorable Doctor, Dr. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Ken Yates, who's wearing a shirt that says eternal life matters. Yes, it does. And Ken, we're so glad to have you here. And I think you have a question from someone named Marsha.

[C]

Yeah, Marsha asked a question here where she says she was just wondering how we make a difference between or how we would define belief or being persuaded that one has eternal life and the belief that just acknowledges that Jesus existed, that there is a Jesus. What is the difference in those definitions? Right off the bat I would say, well, what is the object of faith here? A person could believe that the man Jesus existed. And I would say, well, I don't say we would. It's a fact that a person could be persuaded even that this man, what performed many miracles, that even he died on the cross and rose from the dead, he conquered death. They could be convinced of all those things and certainly that he existed. Many, many unbelievers. I would say probably most unbelievers are persuaded that Jesus existed, although there are some who say no, we don't think that the man ever lived, which is kind of bizarre. But there are people who say that, I guess. But most people, I would say, are convinced that a man named Jesus lived in the first century and even that he was put to death by the Romans. So I'm convinced that he existed, that he lived. And then they would believe many different things about him. Maybe what you'll often hear is that he was a great moral teacher, right. That he went against the norm that he challenged the religious leaders of his day. But that's a different thing of being persuaded that he gives eternal life to everyone who believes in him for it.

[B]

Right. Well, there was a famous book, Faith and Saving Faith. You remember that one?

[C]

Yeah, Clark, right.

[B]

It was written by Gordon Clark and he was a famous philosopher, but also theologian and coming from a Calvinist perspective. And he said in the book that all faith is faith. If you believe that Jesus existed, that's faith. If you believe Jesus is God, that's faith. If you believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, that's faith. And he said, what distinguishes saving faith from non saving faith is the object, not the faith. If I believe that by faith in Jesus, I'm never going to perish, but I have everlasting life. John 3:16. Well, then I have everlasting life. But if I believe that Jesus was born in Bethlehem, that doesn't give me everlasting life. Even now, this is where it gets controversial. Let's say I believe that Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day. Does that guarantee I have everlasting life?

[C]

No. And I know that sounds strange to people, but if you ask those people, the vast majority of them will say, well, I don't believe. If someone only has believed in Mormon doctrine is saved. But Mormons believe that he was buried and that he rose three days later.

[B]

And that he died on the cross.

[C]

Exactly.

[B]

And they even believe he died for our sins.

[C]

That's right. And so they're convinced. You take a devout Mormon in the military. I had Mormon chaplains that I worked for and worked with, and they would tell me all the time, I believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, that he was buried. And they would quote 1 Corinthians 15:1 4. They said, I'm convinced of all those things. But if you ask them, well, do you have eternal life? They would say, oh, no, no, I don't have that. I don't know if I'm going to be in the kingdom. Of course they have a three level kingdom. What? Some will live on the earth, some will live in the celestial kingdom, and whatever it is. Yes. So Bob's right here. That it is the object. Well, we both are saying this, that it is the object of the faith that you have.

[A]

It's coming. It'll be here before you know it. What am I talking about? The Grace Evangelical Society's National Conference 2026, May 18th through the 21st at Camp Koppas. An absolutely beautiful Campground in North Texas, right on the lake with lots of Roc recreation, great food, a great place to stay, wonderful fellowship and wonderful free grace Bible teaching. Information and online registration [e-mail] events. First timers waive registration fees. Faithalone.org events by the way, I don't.

[C]

Know if we've ever discussed this, Bob, and I don't want to put you on the spot. It's been a while since I've read Clark's book. What was his view of saving faith? He had a great definition of faith, but what I'm assuming he was a Calvinist.

[B]

He was. And I have reviewed that book. And in my review I said, fantastic discussion of the fact that faith is faith, that it's simply being persuaded or convinced. Unfortunately, nowhere in the book does he explain what the saving proposition is.

[C]

Well, maybe that's why I don't remember it. Right.

[B]

You know, what he says is all faith is propositional. And by propositional we mean something like, that tree is an oak. That's a proposition. That book is green. Or I might say something like, George Washington was the first president, or Joe Biden was the president. What, 46, I guess. And I might say Donald Trump is 47. Or 45 and 47, something like that. All of those are propositions. How many do you think? How many propositions do you think there in the Bible, Ken? How many total, would you guess?

[C]

Oh, I wouldn't. A bunch. There's a bunch of propositions. A million. Sure, sure.

[B]

So let's say I haven't even read half the Bible. Do I believe the propositions stated in that half of the Bible? Probably not, because I haven't even heard it.

[C]

We haven't heard them.

[B]

Right, right. And so let's say that you have a new believer and they believe a number of propositions in the Bible, one of which is, whoever believes in him will not perish but has everlasting life, John 3:16. And they believe the attendant things related to that, that God sent his son both to die on the cross, John 3, 14, 15, and also to give everlasting life to those who believe in him. Verse 17. So you could say, yeah, you got this new believer. And he believes a number of propositions. He believes that Jesus was born, but he may not have much depth in terms of the number of biblical propositions he believes. Are you with me?

[C]

Sure.

[B]

Here's where the issue really gets down to what Marcia's really asking. Is mental assent good enough to be saved? In other words, if I intellectually believe that Jesus guarantees that by faith in Him, I'll never hunger, never thirst, never die, never perish, never be cast out. I'm secure forever and I have everlasting life.

[C]

Right.

[B]

Now, if I'm convinced that's true intellectually, is that enough? Or do I also have to have some sort of commitment to Jesus? Like, do I have to promise to serve Him? Do I have. Some people like to use the word trust? Do I have to, in addition, trust him? Whatever that means, do I have to give him my life? You see what I'm saying? So how do we answer that?

[C]

Well, if you're convinced of the promise of eternal life, then you're convinced of that and you have it. And I just want to pick up on that. This may sound weird, but if we just think about it, it's absolutely true. A person can believe that. You mentioned all the propositions in the Bible. I can be a believer in Jesus for eternal life, and I'm convinced of that. I believe it, but I'm not convinced of other things he says.

[B]

Right.

[C]

For example, my reward is with me to give to each one according to his works. I can be a believer in him and not believe that.

[B]

In fact, most people in Christianity, whether they're born again or not, do not believe in eternal rewards.

[C]

Exactly. So they do not believe that proposition.

[B]

Right.

[C]

They're not convinced that. That that's true. They're not persuaded it's true for a number of different reasons. Number one, they may have been taught differently. And so when they read that in the Scriptures, they go, well, I don't believe that proposition. I'm not convinced that's true. Or they may not even think of it consciously like that. They just may reject it.

[B]

Oh, they may not believe, for example, that there's going to be a millennium.

[C]

Sure.

[B]

They may not believe there's going to be a tribulation.

[C]

Right.

[B]

They may not believe there's going to be a rapture. But if they believe that by faith in Jesus they have everlasting life, they're convinced. And calling it intellectual assent is kind of a canard. It's kind of pejorative language. It's almost like a Christian cuss word to say intellectual assent. But if it takes more than simply assent, more than simply believing and being persuaded and convinced, then ultimately what you're saying is John 3:16 is a lie.

[C]

Right.

[B]

And John 5:24 is a lie. And Ephesians 2:89 is a lie. And all of the faith alone verses the sola fide of the Reformation. That's all a lie. Because it's not enough to believe in him. You've also got to commit surrender, you've got to obey, you've got to persevere. I mean, it's not just some small minority of people within Christianity who reject the idea that simply by faith in Jesus I have everlasting life that can never be lost. That's most Roman Catholics, Eastern Orthodox, most Protestants and people in the cult. They all believe in some form of work, salvation.

[C]

You know, just a couple days ago I was talking to someone and they go, it's funny how this creeps in that belief is not enough. I was talking to someone and they said, oh yeah, I believe you're saved by faith alone. And then you have to confess Jesus as Lord. And I tried to point out to this person, I said, well, you know, that's not the same thing. If you're convinced that you have eternal life in him, I believe in him, then you've added another step. You're not convinced that that's true because you say, well, I've got to confess that he is Lord. Now, having said that, a person could have believed that they were saved and were convinced that they had eternal life before that and got confused and then.

[B]

Later on, which happens a lot.

[C]

That happens an awful lot.

[B]

Well, thank you, Marcia, for your question. I would encourage some of you to look at Zane Hodges. He has a chapter, I believe it's an absolutely free A biblical reply to Lordship Salvation. And he talks about faith is just that. He also has a book called the Gospel Under Siege and that is an excellent one as well. And you might look at those. And we have lots of [e-mail] dealing with these issues. And I think you and I have some videos on YouTube dealing with this issue as well, Ken.

[C]

Yes, we do.

[B]

So if you go to YouTube Grace Evangelical Society, you can check those out. And let's all in the meantime keep grace in focus.

[A]

We invite you to check out our Monday, Wednesday and Friday five minute YouTube videos at YouTube Grace Evangelical Society. You will love the content and learn a lot. There are a lot of costs involved in staying on the air. That's why we so much appreciate our financial partners. If you'd like to learn how to become one, you can find out more by going to faithalone.org on our next episode. Is there a difference between trusting and believing? Come back and join us again. And in the meantime, let's keep grace in focus.

[C]

The proceeding has been a listener supported.

[A]

Ministry from the Grace Evangelical Society.