“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
It has been said this is the most popular scripture in the world today. It is used by many people to instruct unsaved people on how to be saved. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things to consider with the idea that John 3:16 is a good plan of salvation.
According to most scholars John’s Gospel was not written until 96 AD. This means that today’s most popular plan of salvation was not written until 63 years after the birth of the church in 33 AD. Obviously, this creates some problems.
First of all neither Peter nor Paul ever quoted John 3:16. They died long before it was written. Furthermore, the greatest expansion of the church took place during the first 60 years after the church was birthed. This means Paul evangelized Asia Minor without John 3:16. He “turned the world upside down” with another plan of salvation. So you might ask; what was his plan? He was in lock step with Peter’s plan of salvation that was given on the Day of Pentecost (Act 2:38). He re-baptized disciples of John and prayed for them until they spoke with other tongues (Acts 19:1-5). In addition to Acts 19, Paul clearly articulating Acts 2:38 in the book of Romans.
Repentance
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
Water Baptism
“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Spirit Baptism,
“…that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin” (Romans 6:1-6).
Furthermore, John 3:16 has been used by false teachers to purports the idea of “easy believeism.” That is, salvation without turning from sin. John 3:16 has no mention of repentance nor self denial. These false teachers quote it out of context and ignore what Jesus said in the previous verses. Jesus also said in John 3:3-5 we must be “born of water and Spirit” or we would never “see” the kingdom. It seems that Peter got his instruction from Jesus because Acts 2:38 involves birth of water and Spirit.
The statement “should not perish” is not a conclusive statement. The word “should” is used to express condition. This “condition” involves the possibility of someone perishing, though they truly believed. Example, Simeon was baptized and believed (Acts 8:13), but was not saved. He was “in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:23). The Devil believes in Jesus, but he remains lost.
Don’t be deceived by those who do not rightly divide the scripture and preach “another Gospel.” Do what the man said who had the “Keys to the Kingdom” (Matthew 16).
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
Pastor Smith
