Quote:
Originally Posted by Evangelical
Christians who believe in salvation through faith alone in Christ could be no different than Satan's demons, if they have never gained Him like Paul did.
A good example of this is Judas Iscariot. He was a Christian who believed in Christ by faith (he followed Christ as a believing disciple for many years), but unlike Peter and the other disciples (particularly John) did not gain Christ.
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There's no verse that affirms that Judas ever believed. Sorry, but you are assuming that. We know little of Judas' heart. He also was the only disciple from Judah, where the Lord spent very little time. There is no evidence that Judas had believed or repented before he met John or Jesus, while he followed Jesus, or after he betrayed Him. John 6.68-71 makes it very clear that the Lord tested His disciples as to whether they believed in Him. Peter spoke for them that Jesus had the words of eternal life. Jesus, however, clarified the situation. He had chosen all of them, yet He knew that one of them was a devil.
Biblical faith is not mental assent. The Bible says "believe into Him," and real faith is substantiates our hope and is the conviction of the unseen. That's why Biblical faith is often accompanied by other descriptors like repent, turn your heart to God, be baptized, be born anew, etc.
Since the fall of man, salvation unto righteousness is only by faith in God's promised Messiah/Christ. From Adam forward they had to believe in the coming One. While Jesus walked the earth, they had to believe into Him. Since His ascension, we all must believe in His finished work. He alone and faith alone is the way to the Father.