The Truth About John 3:16

Bro. Arlou Gulles Requiroso s.b.g.

 Q1. Can a person be saved by believing the kind of FAITH mentioned in John 3:16?

Q2. How many of us think that by persuading one to believe the kind of faith meant by John during his time would not lead him to eternal bliss but rather led him to the outer darkness of hell?

 It may sound sarcastic or absurd, but what if it is?

 Many Bible Scholars, Fundamentalists, and Grace believers today strongly believe that the Heart of the Bible is John 3:16 and that it can save any person who believes in this present dispensation of GRACE.

             Act 17:11  These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

             2Tim 2:15  Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

             Eph 3:1  For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

Eph 3:2  If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

Eph 3:3  How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

Eph 3:4  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

Eph 3:5  Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

             Not just following the so-called Reverend ( Ps 111:9 ) but according to the Tradition of Christ ( 2 Thess 2:15 ).

 A. THE WRITER

            There are four (4) Johns Close to Jesus Christ:

                        1. John the Jewish official (Acts 4:6)

                        2. John who was called Mark (Acts 12:12)

                        3. John the Baptist (Mat 3:1)

                        4. John the Apostle (Mat 4:21)

             The writer of John 3:16 was:

                        1. A disciple of Jesus (Jn 21:20-24)

                        2. He was Christ's beloved (Jn 21:20-24)

                        3. Brother of Zebeddee (Mat 4:21)

                        4. Among the twelve Apostles (Mat 10:5-6)

                        5. Preach the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand (Mat 10:7; Mat 24:14)

                        6. Practiced water baptism with other apostles (Mat 4:1-2; Mk 16:6; Mat 28:19-20)

             Apostle John was not writing God's love in the context of saving Jews and Gentiles alike:

                        1. Mat 15:24

                        2. Mat 15:26

                        3. Rom 9:4-5

                        3. Rom 15:8

                        4. Eph 2:11-12

 B. GOD GAVE HIS SON

            - to die on the cross? Absolutely NOT!

            - John didnt think God giving Jesus to die for their sins but to be their KING and MESSIAH.

                        1. Luke 9:44-45

                        2. Luke 18:32-34

                        3. Mark 8:31-32

                        4. Mark 9:31-32

             When the Apostle John wrote John 3:16, Jesus was still alive and in fact, Jesus was with them preaching the Kingdom of heaven is at hand!

 

Breakdown of John 3:16:

 FOR GOD - Elohim (Uniplural) One God in three distinct persons (1 Jn 5:7)

SO LOVED - by principle, God is LOVE but His act of LOVING (How He demonstrates His love)

CHANGES from Dispensation to Dispensation.

THE WORLD - world of people

-(Mat 1:21; Mat 15:24, 26; Eph 2:11-12)

THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON- Mat 1:21 cf Isa 9:6

THAT WHOSOEVER - Israel first!

BELIEVETH - What Gospel?

                                LAW – Gospel of the Kingdom (Mat 4:23, Mat 24:14)

GRACE – Gospel of the Grace of God (Act 20:24, Eph 3:1-9)

                   What is  the Object of Faith?

                        - Dispensation of LAW: Believe that CHRIST is the Son of God (Jn 20:31; Acts 8:37)          

- Dispensation of GRACE: Christ died, buried and rose again (1 Cor 15:1-4; Rom 10:8-9; 

1 Cor 1:18)

 SHOULD NOT PERISH

- LAW: Israel choosen people (Deut 14:2; Mat 15:24,26; Rom 9:4-5; Rom 15:8; 

Eph 2:11-12; 1Pet 2:9)

                        - GRACE: ISRAEL and GENTILES on EQUAL FOOTING (Rom 3:22, Rom 10:12)

BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE- Destiny: Where would they spend Eternity?

                        - ISRAEL (Earth) Dan 2:44; Mat 6:10; Rev 21:1-2; 

                        - BOC (Heaven) 1 Thess 4:13-18, Phil 3:20

 

 C. MIXING GOD's GRACE

            One Missionary wrote: In Soteriology, we cannot separate the person of Jesus Christ as (1) Savior and (2) His act of saving the people. The first premise is definitely true but the second premise is not!

- The person of Jesus Christ never changes (Heb 13:8) but his acts do change.

- We have the same God, but His manner of Saving the people varies from Dispensation to Dispensation (Noah, Moses, David, 12 Apostles, Body of Christ)

 PAST: During John's time, salvation was by Grace through Faith manifested by works (Mk 16:16; Acts 2:38)

TODAY: Salvation is solely by Grace through Faith alone (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 11:6; Col 1:14; Tit 3:5)

 THUS: 2 Cor 2:17

 STUDY PRINCIPLES:

            1. Do not bring truths belonging to the past dispensation and apply it to the present.

            2. Do not bring truths belonging to the future dispensation and apply it to the present.

            3. Do not apply truths belonging to a portion of a dispensation and apply it to another portion of the same dispensation.

     

For more Study Materials:    www.puregrace.yolasite.com

 

Make a Free Website with Yola.