JOHN 17:20 and 20:31, C. H. Cayce Brother J. E. Yancey, Boas, Ala., asks our views on the above named passages of Scripture. John 17:20 reads, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word.” We think the expression “these alone” refers especially to the apostles. Those “which shall believe on me through their word” refers to those who believe on the Saviour from the teaching of the apostles. This text is often quoted to prove that belief is necessary in order to eternal life; but it does not intimate such a thing. One must have life in order to believe. Just as one must have natural life in order to believe a natural truth, even so one must have spiritual life in order to believe a spiritual truth. Hence, those who believe on Him through their word are those who have been born again. We showed in The Primitive Baptist of February 2 that one who believes is one who has already been born again.
John 20:31 says, “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” The farmer works his farm that his family may have life; but he does not work his farm in order that his family may obtain life. Even so, one does not believe in order to obtain life; but having life, he believes and continues to live. The Primitive Baptist, March 16, 1915.