Why Does The Gospel Of John Not Use The Word “Pray”?

Why Does John’s Gospel Of
Not Use The Word “pray”?
Or “faith” (As a noun)?

BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
2
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-
15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine."
They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

The Gospel of John Does Not Use
The Word “pray”
• Not even once in the English translations;
• The Gospel of John does not use the words
“pray,” “prays,” “prayed,” “prayer,” or “praying”
even once.
• I think that's interesting in light of the fact that
John tells us why he wrote this gospel;
• NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so
that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the
Son of God; and that believing you may have life
in His name. 3

John Does Not Use Any Of The 4
Greek Words For “pray”
• Not even once in the Greek translation;
• Not one use of any of the four Greek words used
for “pray*” (beseech, entreat, etc.)(in a lemma search).
4

The Word “pray”
• Don't get me wrong, I'm not suggesting we don’t pray. You
are looking at someone who was born again in the middle
of a prayer. John records in John 17 of his gospel the Lords
“high priestly prayer” of intercession for the 11 and “those
also who believe” (John 17:20), that's all of us.
• Believers are commanded to pray, and Jesus prayed at
every opportunity and sometimes stayed up all night
praying.
• Acts 16:30 …“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
• Yet, somehow America has determined that “Pray this
prayer after me” is equal to the gospel. It is not!
5

The Word “pray”
• I think it's interesting in light of the fact that
almost all Christian evangelism tracts, and
almost all evangelistic messages, end with a
prayer to recite.
• Yet John wrote an entire gospel of the Bible
specifically for evangelism and never uses the
word “pray”.
• John never gives us a prayer to pray to be saved.
6

What Does John Give Us
Instead Of A “Prayer”?
• So what does John give us instead of “Pray this
prayer”?
in His name.
• The root of this Greek word is used over 90
times in John’s gospel.
7

Salvation Equals= “believe”
Son of God; and that believing you may have life in
His name.
• The Gospel of John uses the word “believe” as the
means of salvation.
• The root of this Greek word is used in this short
gospel more than any other book of the Bible.
• John is equating “believe” with “saved”
• “believe” Plus nothing!
8

• NAU John 3:15 so that whoever believes will in
Him have eternal life. 16 …that whoever believes
in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
• NAU John 3:36 "He who believes in the Son has
eternal life…
• NAU John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who
hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me,
has eternal life…
• NAU John 6:35 …he who believes in Me will never
thirst.
9

• NAU John 6:40 …believes in Him will have
eternal life…
• NAU John 6:47 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he
who believes has eternal life.
• NAU John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the
Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will
flow rivers of living water.’"
• NAU John 11:25 …he who believes in Me will
live even if he dies,
• John 1:12, 6:29, John 8:24, 11:40, 12:36, 12:44, 12:46, 14:12, 1 John
5:1,5:10, Acts 16:31, 19:4, Romans 3:22, 10:9, etc.
10

• In all those verses and many, many, more there is
not one mention of “believe and be circumcised,
repent, baptized, stop sinning, be a good person,
keep the 10 Commandments, keep the seven
sacraments, or “believe” and say this prayer.”
• Only believe!
• If we add anything to it, salvation becomes a
human work.
• Over 150 times the New Testament refers to
salvation as a gift.
11

• One exception is that John says to “believe” and
“receive” the gift;
• NAU John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to
them He gave the right to become children of
God, even to those who believe in His name,
• Yet to make sure that we don't think receiving a
gift is a human work John says;
• NAU John 1:13 who were born, not of blood nor
of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but
of God.
12

Prerequisites To Salvation
• I find very few prerequisites to salvation, you must be a
sinner, and have the right Jesus, and gospel;
• NAU Matthew 9:13 …for I did not come to call the
righteous, but sinners.”
• NAU John 8:24 "Therefore I said to you that you will die in
your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in
your sins.”
• NAU 2 Corinthians 11:4 For if one comes and preaches
another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a
different spirit which you have not received, or a different
gospel which you have not accepted…
• Gal 1:8-9 13

Uses of the word “faith”
• Also of interest is the word “faith” as we
examine the Gospel of John. Since it clearly is
written for evangelism.
• It seems that American Christianity has over
emphasized “faith” since John does not use the
word once in his evangelistic gospel.
14

Uses of the word “faith”
• There are over 250 uses of the word “faith” in
the NAU Bible.There are 40 uses alone in the
book of Romans, and not one use in the Gospel
of John. Not even one use of the noun “faith”!
• Why?
in His name.
15

The Noun “faith”
• Many wrongly believe that it is our faith that
saves us. Yet Scripture does not say that;
• NAU Ephesians 2:8 For by grace you have been
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves,
it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works,
that no one should boast. 10 For we are His
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good
works, which God prepared beforehand, that
we should walk in them.
16

By Grace You Have Been Saved
• If a fireman rescued you through the door, it was not
the door that saved you, it was the fireman.
• We have been saved by “grace through faith,” it was
God in His grace that saved us (God brought us
through the Door, John 14:6).
• We receive that “grace” (unmerited favor) by
believing (verb of faith), but it is God who saves us. A
gift we do not deserve, and cannot earn.
• It is not the firetruck or the firehose, that saves
people it is the “Fireman”.
17

John’s Gospel And “Faith”
• The noun “faith, πίστις pistis” is not used at all in the
Gospel of John. Yet the same Greek word in the verb
form “believe, πιστεύω pisteuo” is used more in John
than any other book of the Bible, 55% of all uses.
• Strong’s, <4100> πιστεύω pisteuo
• Meaning: to believe, entrust
• Origin: from 4102 [to persuade, to have confidence]
• Usage: believe(118), believed(73), believers(3),
believes(29), believing(10), do(1), entrust(1),
entrusted(6), entrusting(1), has faith(1).
18

What is “easy believism”?
19

Question: “What is easy believism?”
gotquestions.org
• “Answer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in
Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (“faith alone”) teach that no
corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola
fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in
regards to those who believe they’re saved because they prayed a prayer—with no real conviction of sin and no real faith in
Christ. Praying a prayer is easy—thus the term easy believism—but there is more to salvation than mouthing words.
• Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is
clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The essence of this doctrine is found in Ephesians
2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man
should boast.” So we see that faith, given as a gift by God, is what saves us. But the next verse tells of the results of that
salvation: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them.” Rather than being saved by some easy act of our own wills, we are saved by the hand of God Almighty,
by His will and for His use. We are His servants, and from the moment of salvation by faith, we embark on a journey of pre-
ordained good works that are the evidence of that salvation. If there is no evidence of growth and good works, we have
reason to doubt that salvation ever truly took place. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), and a dead faith is not a
saving faith.
• “Faith alone” does not mean that some believers follow Christ in a life of discipleship, while others do not. The concept of the
“carnal Christian,” as a separate category of non-spiritual believer, is completely unscriptural. The idea of the carnal Christian
says that a person may receive Christ as Savior during a religious experience but never manifest evidence of a changed life.
This is a false and dangerous teaching in that it excuses various ungodly lifestyles: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer,
liar, or thief, but he’s “saved” because he prayed a prayer as a child; he’s just a “carnal Christian.” The Bible nowhere
supports the idea that a true Christian can remain carnal for an entire lifetime. Rather, God’s Word presents only two
categories of people: Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, those who have bowed to the Lordship of
Christ and those who have not (see John 3:36; Romans 6:17–18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:18–24; Ephesians 2:1–5; 1
John 1:5–7; 2:3–4).
• While the security of salvation is a biblical fact based upon the finished work of salvation by Christ, it is certainly true that
20
Don't squint! The complete article
follows after the THE END slide.

Question: "What is easy believism?”
gotquestions.org
• “Answer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term
used by opponents of the view that one needs only to
believe in Jesus in order to be saved. From this they
conclude that those who hold to sola fide (“faith alone”)
teach that no corresponding need exists for a committed life
of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that
is not what sola fide means. True faith in Christ will always
lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term
easy believism is in regards to those who believe they’re
saved because they prayed a prayer—with no real
conviction of sin and no real faith in Christ. Praying a prayer
is easy—thus the term easy believism—but there is more to
salvation than mouthing words…” 21

Believing Is Not Easy
• In many Islamic countries around the world you
could expect to be butchered or stoned for
believing in Jesus. Jesus said in;
• NAU John 15:20 …If they persecuted Me, they
will also persecute you…
• NAU John 16:33 …In the world you have
tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome
the world."
22

Lordship Salvation
• Lordship salvation is the other side of the easy
believism coin;
• NAU John 15:10 "If you keep My
commandments, you will abide in My love…
• NAU Hebrews 5:9 …He [Jesus] became to all
those who obey Him the source of eternal
salvation,
23

John 15:10, Lordship Salvation
• NAU John 15:10 “If you keep…
• The issue with this controversy and the
understanding of these types of verses is;
• Is this referring to a prerequisite of salvation,
salvation as a reward, or a result of salvation?
• If this is a prerequisite, then it is unclear as to
what degree of sinless perfection an unbeliever
must achieve, while still in the flesh, before
salvation?
24

John 15:10, Lordship Salvation
• NAU Hebrews 5:9 …He [Jesus] became to all
those who obey Him the source of eternal
salvation,
• However, if this is referring to a result of
salvation? Then salvation is still a gift, not a
wage or reward.
• Obedience and commandment keeping, along
with “abiding” and loving Christians, are the
attributes and identification of being in Christ (a
result of salvation). 25

How Should This Impact Us?
• Remember that the root of the word “faith, pistis” is
Strong’s 3982 πείθω peitho {pi'-tho}
• Meaning: 1) persuade 1a) to persuade, i.e. to induce
one by words to believe 1b) to make friends of, to
win one's favour, gain one's good will, or to seek to
win one, … to persuade unto i.e. move or induce one
to persuasion to do something …2a) to be
persuaded… to be induced to believe: to have faith:
in a thing …3) to trust, have confidence, be
confident…”
26

How Should This Impact Us?
• That describes evangelistic apologetics, making a
defense of the faith, lovingly yet forcefully, so that
they may believe and be saved;
• NAU 2 Timothy 2:15 Be diligent to present yourself
approved to God as a workman who does not need
to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of
truth.
• NAU John 20:31 but these have been written so that
you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of
God; and that believing you may have life in His
name. 27

So, in closing
• Some folks believe in a “partial rapture theory”,
we don't have time for me to elaborate on that
but I found a photo from someone trying to
illustrate that position;
28

Illustrating the Partial Rapture Theory
29
THE END

BIBLE IN FIVE
Pastor Dave Kooyers
Valley Bible Fellowship
Box 433
Boonville CA 95415
http://www.slideshare.net/dkooyers
www.ValleyBibleFellowship.org
(707) 895-2325
God bless you as you examine His Word,
Your servant in Christ, 2Cor. 4:5
30
These Microsoft PowerPoint presentations are provided "for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-
15). To help Christians to "to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ." So that "we are no longer...tossed here and there...by every wind of doctrine."
They may be downloaded and modified free of charge.
Matthew 10:8 …Freely you received, freely give.

Question: "What is easy believism?”
http://www.gotquestions.org/easy-believism.html
• Answer: Easy believism is a somewhat derogatory term used by opponents of the view that one needs only to believe in
Jesus in order to be saved. From this they conclude that those who hold to sola fide (“faith alone”) teach that no
corresponding need exists for a committed life of Christian discipleship as proof of salvation; however, that is not what sola
fide means. True faith in Christ will always lead to a changed life. Another common usage of the term easy believism is in
regards to those who believe they’re saved because they prayed a prayer—with no real conviction of sin and no real faith in
Christ. Praying a prayer is easy—thus the term easy believism—but there is more to salvation than mouthing words.
• Much of the debate over easy believism is unnecessary and is based on a misunderstanding of the Scriptures. The Bible is
clear that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. The essence of this doctrine is found in Ephesians
2:8–9: “For by grace are you saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves. It is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man
should boast.” So we see that faith, given as a gift by God, is what saves us. But the next verse tells of the results of that
salvation: “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we
should walk in them.” Rather than being saved by some easy act of our own wills, we are saved by the hand of God Almighty,
by His will and for His use. We are His servants, and from the moment of salvation by faith, we embark on a journey of pre-
ordained good works that are the evidence of that salvation. If there is no evidence of growth and good works, we have
reason to doubt that salvation ever truly took place. “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:20), and a dead faith is not a
saving faith.
• “Faith alone” does not mean that some believers follow Christ in a life of discipleship, while others do not. The concept of the
“carnal Christian,” as a separate category of non-spiritual believer, is completely unscriptural. The idea of the carnal Christian
says that a person may receive Christ as Savior during a religious experience but never manifest evidence of a changed life.
This is a false and dangerous teaching in that it excuses various ungodly lifestyles: a man may be an unrepentant adulterer,
liar, or thief, but he’s “saved” because he prayed a prayer as a child; he’s just a “carnal Christian.” The Bible nowhere
supports the idea that a true Christian can remain carnal for an entire lifetime. Rather, God’s Word presents only two
categories of people: Christians and non-Christians, believers and unbelievers, those who have bowed to the Lordship of
Christ and those who have not (see John 3:36; Romans 6:17–18; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:18–24; Ephesians 2:1–5; 1
John 1:5–7; 2:3–4).
• While the security of salvation is a biblical fact based upon the finished work of salvation by Christ, it is certainly true that
31

• Charles H. Spurgeon said, “Trust in the
Redeemer’s strength…exercise what faith you
have, and by and by He shall rise upon you with
healing beneath His wings. Go from faith to
faith and you shall receive blessing upon
blessing.”
32

John 16:9, Faith = Assurance
• NAU John 16:9 concerning sin, because they do not believe
in Me;
• The noun “faith, πίστις pistis” is not used at all in the Gospel
of John. Yet the same Greek word in the verb form “believe,
πιστεύω pisteuo” is used more in John than any other book
of the Bible, 55% of all uses.
• NAU Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things
hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
• KJV Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped
for…
• <5287> ὑπόστασις hupostasis
• Meaning: a support, substance, steadiness, hence

John 16:9, Faith = Assurance
• KJV Strong’s ;“assurance” 5287 hupostasis…
• Meaning: 1) a setting or placing under 1a) thing put
under, substructure, foundation 2) that which has
foundation, is firm 2a) that which has actual existence
2a1) a substance, real being 2b) the substantial quality,
nature, of a person or thing 2c) the steadfastness of
mind, firmness, courage, resolution 2c1) confidence,
firm trust, assurance …
• Usage: AV - confidence 2, confident 1, person 1,
substance 1; 5
• Notes: 1 substance: or, ground, or, confidence

Why Does The Gospel Of John Not Use The Word “Pray”?

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