Let me address this directly.

First, you're pulling verses from John's Gospel and Acts, both written decades after Jesus's death and reflecting later theological developments - not Jesus's own words and priorities. The historical Jesus, as recorded in our earliest sources (Mark and Q), consistently emphasized following his teachings rather than believing specific things about him.

The idea that we should follow Jesus's teachings? It's all over the Gospels:

"Not everyone who says to me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father" (Matthew 7:21)

"Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord' and do not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46)

"If you love me, you will keep my commandments" (John 14:15)

And what did Jesus command? "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets" (Matthew 22:37-40).

The religion ABOUT Jesus that developed later - focused on correct beliefs about his divinity - would have been foreign to Jesus himself. He wasn't looking for believers; he was looking for followers. People who would actually live out his radical message of love and justice.

Paul, who never knew the living Jesus, may have emphasized belief. But Jesus emphasized action. I'll stick with Jesus on this one.

What do you think Jesus meant when he said "Not everyone who says 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven"?