Is Unbelief/Doubt in Christ a Sin?

[Hobie]

We see many times that Jesus faced unbelief even among his own disciples...

Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Was this Unbelief or Doubt a sin?

 

[Josheb]

Is Unbelief/Doubt a Sin?

Yes.

We see many times that Jesus faced unbelief even among his own disciples...

Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Ooooo.... Jesus faced unbelief in others often, but Jesus himself never experienced it himself.

Just saying.

Was this Unbelief or Doubt a sin?

Yes.

And unequivocally so.

John 3:18
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Everyone who has not believed in the name of Jesus stands already condemned. It is the reason Jesus came. He came to solve the problem of unbelief.

Romans 14:22-23
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Anything not from faith is sin. Granted, Paul is specifically writing about how one handles matters of conscience pertaining to food and special days, but the principle he is leveraging is universal in application.

James 1:5-8
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The one who doubts should not expect anything from God. Seems harsh, doesn't it? Seems to contradict the examples posted in the op. Perhaps Jesus is speaking with a modicum of hyperbole, but the principle is sound and, again, applicable in all circumstances.

So, yes, unbelief and/or doubt is sin but, blessedly, we have a Lord and a Savior who has atoned for, forgiven, and who washes us clean of sin . That is what he does. Praise God!

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

The act of coming to God is evidence of and an act of faith. No one comes to a God they do not believe exists. That would be oxymoronic.


One last note: Most of the members of CCCF are already Christians. We already believe God exists and share a variety of other beliefs held by faith and they are held by the inspiration and empowerment Christ's work and that of the Holy Spirit, not unregenerate flesh. Therefore, the examples taken from the gospels do not wholly apply. We're not disobedient or unregenerate Jews. Each of the four examples given in the op is a different group living in different circumstances (those seeing the resurrected Christ are different than those of a pre-resurrected world). As regenerate and indwelt believers in the resurrected Jesus our experience is somewhat different because we are a different sort of creature.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Therefore, from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

That does not mean we do not experience unbelief or doubt. Because our faith is a faith of faith and not merely faithfulness (works), doubt is an inherent part of the process by which we mature and bear fruit. We have everything we need, but do we believe it and do we act accordingly?

2 Peter 1:1-12
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

We should remind and support each other of the above.

 

[CrowCross]

Was this Unbelief or Doubt a sin?

Yes. One of many.

 

[ReverendRV]

We see many times that Jesus faced unbelief even among his own disciples...

Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Was this Unbelief or Doubt a sin?

Yes, unbelief in Christ is a Sin; it breaks the First Commandment...

Knowing what we know now, it may as well read, "Thou shalt have Christ as your God"...

 

[Hobie]

Yes.

Ooooo.... Jesus faced unbelief in others often, but Jesus himself never experienced it himself.

Just saying.

Yes.

And unequivocally so.

John 3:18
He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Everyone who has not believed in the name of Jesus stands already condemned. It is the reason Jesus came. He came to solve the problem of unbelief.

Romans 14:22-23
The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.

Anything not from faith is sin. Granted, Paul is specifically writing about how one handles matters of conscience pertaining to food and special days, but the principle he is leveraging is universal in application.

James 1:5-8
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind. For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

The one who doubts should not expect anything from God. Seems harsh, doesn't it? Seems to contradict the examples posted in the op. Perhaps Jesus is speaking with a modicum of hyperbole, but the principle is sound and, again, applicable in all circumstances.

So, yes, unbelief and/or doubt is sin but, blessedly, we have a Lord and a Savior who has atoned for, forgiven, and who washes us clean of sin . That is what he does. Praise God!

Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.

The act of coming to God is evidence of and an act of faith. No one comes to a God they do not believe exists. That would be oxymoronic.


One last note: Most of the members of CCCF are already Christians. We already believe God exists and share a variety of other beliefs held by faith and they are held by the inspiration and empowerment Christ's work and that of the Holy Spirit, not unregenerate flesh. Therefore, the examples taken from the gospels do not wholly apply. We're not disobedient or unregenerate Jews. Each of the four examples given in the op is a different group living in different circumstances (those seeing the resurrected Christ are different than those of a pre-resurrected world). As regenerate and indwelt believers in the resurrected Jesus our experience is somewhat different because we are a different sort of creature.

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

2 Corinthians 5:16-17
Therefore, from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.

That does not mean we do not experience unbelief or doubt. Because our faith is a faith of faith and not merely faithfulness (works), doubt is an inherent part of the process by which we mature and bear fruit. We have everything we need, but do we believe it and do we act accordingly?

2 Peter 1:1-12
Simon Peter, a bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have received a faith of the same kind as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ: Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you. Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you.

We should remind and support each other of the above.

So when Peter didnt believe Christ and chided (rebuked) Christ for saying He must suffer and die, was it a sin..
Matthew 16:22
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

 

[Mr GLee]

We see many times that Jesus faced unbelief even among his own disciples...

Matthew 28:17
And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.

Mark 9:24
And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

Mark 16:14
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.

John 20:24-29
24 But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.
25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.
26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you.
27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.
29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.

Was this Unbelief or Doubt a sin?

With Thomas it's unbelief. Christians doubt when making a decision to follow God or after the temporal dying flesh self. It's what the accuser of the brethren does 24/7 if we doubt he accuses

The faith of Christ or called labor of his love as the power of God is shown working through His prophet Jesus in Thomas. The Father lovingly commanding Thomas to first of all be not be faithless. . then gives him the power to believe as a confession of salvation.Believing in his new heart he confessed

John 20:27Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 

[Josheb]

So when Peter didnt believe Christ and chided (rebuked) Christ for saying He must suffer and die, was it a sin..
Matthew 16:22
Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.

Yes.

It would appear Jesus' answer decisively answers the question.

Matthew 16:23
But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Do you think stumbling blocks to Jesus are not sinful? How about not setting one's mind on God's interests?

 

[Frank Robert]

Is Unbelief/Doubt in Christ a Sin?

YES and NO!

Different Christian denominations perspectives may interpret doubt in faith differently.

In some Christian traditions, doubt is seen as a natural part of the human experience and is not necessarily considered sinful. Doubt can be viewed as an opportunity for growth, exploration, and a deeper understanding of one's faith.

In some Christian traditions, persistent doubt or a rejection of core tenets of the faith is seen as problematic. Views on doubt vary widely among Christian denominations, and individuals within a denomination may have different perspectives.

For example:

the Catholic Catechism distinguishes between voluntary and involuntary doubt. Voluntary doubt about the faith disregards or refuses to hold as true what God has revealed and the Church proposes for belief. Involuntary doubt refers to hesitation in believing, difficulty in overcoming objections connected with the faith, or also anxiety aroused by its obscurity. If deliberately cultivated, doubt can lead to spiritual blindness.​

​

While Evangelicals observe the biblical model of faith as not about trying to feel certain about your beliefs but being willing to commit to living a certain way despite the fact that you're not certain. When we embrace a biblical model of faith, we no longer need to squelch doubt.​

​

Personally, I regard the evangelical observation as living your faith.

 

[Mr GLee]

Is Unbelief/Doubt in Christ a Sin?

YES and NO!

Different Christian denominations perspectives may interpret doubt in faith differently.

In some Christian traditions, doubt is seen as a natural part of the human experience and is not necessarily considered sinful. Doubt can be viewed as an opportunity for growth, exploration, and a deeper understanding of one's faith.

In some Christian traditions, persistent doubt or a rejection of core tenets of the faith is seen as problematic. Views on doubt vary widely among Christian denominations, and individuals within a denomination may have different perspectives.

For example:

the Catholic Catechism distinguishes between voluntary and involuntary doubt. Voluntary doubt about the faith disregards or refuses to hold as true what God has revealed and the Church proposes for belief. Involuntary doubt refers to hesitation in believing, difficulty in overcoming objections connected with the faith, or also anxiety aroused by its obscurity. If deliberately cultivated, doubt can lead to spiritual blindness.​

​

While Evangelicals observe the biblical model of faith as not about trying to feel certain about your beliefs but being willing to commit to living a certain way despite the fact that you're not certain. When we embrace a biblical model of faith, we no longer need to squelch doubt.​

​

Personally, I regard the evangelical observation as living your faith.

I would offer doubt is necessary to make a right choice to believe. When rightly dividing the word of God. Doubt leads to the truth or it leads to a lie as the father of lies

Doubt is not the opposite of faith. . unbelief (No faith) is

The accuser of the brother accusing us day and night as in "you doubted and lost salvation" hesitation is needed to look for the true gospel

Thomas is called by many "Doubting Thomas" rather unbelieving Thomas .

Thomas who demanded of God working on the Son of man Jesus. a sign. Jesus the prophet fulfilled it touch me look at my dying flesh. Then our Father giving words to his prophet Jesus loving commanded Thomas to not be faithless but rather as loving commandment to emphasize believe Then Thomas having the living faith that comes from hearing God made the born again confession of faith

John 20:27-28 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

 

[Frank Robert]

I would offer doubt is necessary to make a right choice to believe. When rightly dividing the word of God. Doubt leads to the truth or it leads to a lie as the father of lies

Doubt is not the opposite of faith. . unbelief (No faith) is

You are wrong. All people of faith have doubts at times. Doubts are a natural part of believing. Doubts do not equate with unbelief. Christian theologian Paul Tillich wrote, "Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith."
https://www.sj-r.com/story/lifestyle/faith/2016/04/02/faith-is-not-absence-doubt/32031554007/

The accuser of the brother accusing us day and night as in "you doubted and lost salvation" hesitation is needed to look for the true gospel

Thomas is called by many "Doubting Thomas" rather unbelieving Thomas .

Thomas who demanded of God working on the Son of man Jesus. a sign. Jesus the prophet fulfilled it touch me look at my dying flesh. Then our Father giving words to his prophet Jesus loving commanded Thomas to not be faithless but rather as loving commandment to emphasize believe Then Thomas having the living faith that comes from hearing God made the born again confession of faith

John 20:27-28 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God.

Matthew 18:10-14, Luke 15:1-7 - If a shepherd has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray.

In the Gospel of John, Andrew had doubts how Jesus could feed the five thousand with only five fish and two loaves of bread. In Acts, Peter had doubts about reaching out to the Gentiles.

If you don't recognize the value of doubt what is the purpose of being born again? Doubt is natural. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but rather faith keeps believing even in the midst of your doubts.

 

[Mr GLee]

You are wrong. All people of faith have doubts at times. Doubts are a natural part of believing. Doubts do not equate with unbelief. Christian theologian Paul Tillich wrote, "Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it is an element of faith."

That's what I said. Doubt isn't the opposite of faith unbelief or no faith is .Faith is a work that God work in us there is no room room for doubt not even a little.