Many scholars have recognized this truth and the significance of Matthew 28:19, "Go ye therefore and teach all nations," being spoken in the perfect present tense of the verb, the imperative form of the verb, is viewed as significant, indicating a commandment of God issued to the Church, valid for all the time of the Church's existence, even though there is no commandment given by Jesus. There is no question this is a correct assumption based on Jesus' high respect for jots and tittles.
So, in John 7:38, when Jesus said, "All who believe on me will have rivers of Living Water flowing out of their bellies," what exactly was Jesus saying? This statement seems ethereal, was He speaking metaphorically? Although it might seem as though Jesus was speaking of things not easily understood, a simpler explanation is possible.
The narrative goes on to identify the Living Water as the Holy Spirit, who exists in the form of a fluid. Acts 2:4 reveals to us that at the baptism with the Spirit, the Holy Spirit flowed out of the 120 gathered in the upper room. It is reasonable to believe that In John 7:38, Jesus is speaking of the gift of tongues flowing out of the belly of those who believe on Him.
Now, John 7:38 uses the term "believe on Jesus," while John 3:16 uses the term "believe in Jesus." John 3:16 promises everlasting life to those who believe in Jesus, while rivers of Living Water is promised to those who believe on Jesus. The words "in" and "on" have two very different definitions indicating two very different purposes for believing.
If we apply the same reasoning to John 7:38, that has been applied to Matthew 28:19, what truth is revealed? The first and most obvious is that the statement of John 7:38, like the statement of Matthew 28:19, is in the imperative form. It is spoken in the perfect present tense, meaning that Jesus is saying that all who believe on Him will have rivers of the Holy Spirit flowing out of their bellies on a continual basis. This reminds us of Paul's admonition to "Pray without ceasing."
Once again, Paul's admonition to pray without ceasing would make one's head spin because of the seemingly impossibility of obedience. Here is where the temptation to interpret scripture based on your own understanding is most dangerous. From our level of intelligence, Paul's admonition to "pray without ceasing," is absurd, an impossibility. Therefore, the most logical conclusion is that there is a hidden meaning and Paul merely is instructing us to stay in an attitude of prayer. Do you see how easily I interjected my own intelligence over God's, making His Word more reflective of my thoughts?
Jesus said, "All who believe on me will have rivers of the Holy Spirit flowing out of their bellies." Since the Holy Spirit exists in the form of a fluid and speech is fluidic, it is obvious Jesus is stating a fact, that those who believe on Him will have rivers of the gift of tongues flowing out of their bellies. The word "river" speaks of volume, the plurality of the word speaks of the many different forms of the gift of tongues. Wouldn't it be better to attempt obedience than to discount the instructions found in this verse as absurd?
While it is clear from John 3:16 that belief in Jesus produces everlasting life, It is also abundantly obvious that belief in Jesus will not produce rivers of Living Water flowing out of the belly. Those who are exercising belief in Jesus and expecting rivers of Living Water to flow out of their bellies are being disappointed