Faith

John 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. 

‘Whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life’ this verse states the reason for the crucifixion (John 3:15-17, 36; 5:24). There is no exception – all can be saved (John 3:15-17; 1Tit. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9).

The word ‘believeth’ denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb pisteuo which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense indicates that faith must be continued in to receive its benefits (Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col. 1:23; 1Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; 2Pet. 1:5-10). Faith can be lost (1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8, 12; 6:10, 21; 2Tim. 2:18; 3:8).

Faith means: To be persuaded of (Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2Tim. 1:12); to place confidence in (Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:6; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:35; 1Jn. 3:21; 5:14); it is the substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 10:19-38; 11:1, 6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24); it is an absolute dependence upon and reliance in the Word of God and of Christ (Matt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1-12:3); it means to fully surrender, yield, and have obedience to all known truth (Rom. 1:5; 6:11-23; 16:26; Jas. 2:14-26; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6); to trust wholly and unreservedly in the faithfulness of God (Matt. 6:25-34; 12:21; 1Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1Cor. 10:13); to give one’s self over to a new way of life (Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; Tit. 2:11-14; Heb. 12:1-15; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 3:8-10; 4:17; 5:1-5, 18); it is the attribute of God and restored faculty of man whereby both can bring into existence things that are unseen (Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22; Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Lk. 17:6; Heb. 11:1-40); it is the whole body of revealed truth (Rom. 10:17; 1Tim. 4:1, 6; 6:10; 2Tim. 3:16-17); to have joyful faith in, and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Savior whereby one receives salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31); have access to grace (Rom. 5:2); fulfillment of the promises (Heb. 6:12); the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14); righteousness (Rom. 4:1-25; 9:30, 32; 10:6; Php. 3:9); sonship (Gal. 3:26); healing (Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24); eternal life (John 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 6:47); and answers to every prayer (Mat. 7:7-11; 21:21; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16).

The Greek word for ‘perish’ is apollumi, which means to destroy (Matt. 10:28); lose (Matt. 10:39); die (John 18:14); be lost (2Cor. 4:3); be marred (Mark 2:22); and perish (Matt. 8:25; 18:14; Heb. 1:11). It never means annihilation. Here it simply means the loss of the souls in eternal hell.