It's so easy to understand

[pescador]

Perhaps the most famous verse in the New Testament, and possibly the whole Bible, is John 3:16... "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." NET Bible (or whatever translation you choose to read).

What is so difficult to understand about that fundamental statement about Christianity?

a) God loved the world. Not some of it, all of it. There are no exceptions.
b) He gave his one and only son. He gave his own firstborn, knowing that he would be killed.
c) Everyone! Not just some chosen people, everyone on Earth regardless of gender, age, race, or any other factor.
d) Who believes in him. That's all! There is no other requirement. No works, no baptism, no belonging to any denomination or religion, no education, nothing -- just belief!
e) Will not perish but have everlasting life! Belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary to live forever! Wow! Incredibly wonderful! One's physical body may die, but the person will live forever in God's kingdom.

I have been part of many discussions on this forum where people, even Christians, can't accept this most basic of truths. You don't need an established church, you don't need a priesthood, you don't need baptism, you don't need "works", you don't even need a Bible. All you need to do to have everlasting life is believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice to remove your sin and you, yes you, will live forever.

That's not so difficult, is it? I cannot understand why anyone has to add something to that -- belief in some specific creed or doctrine, do "works" to please God, attend church, be "religious" (whatever that means), or anything else -- to insure s/he has eternal life with God.

 

[Tolworth John]

cannot understand why anyone has to add something to that -- belief in some specific creed or doctrine, do "works" to please God, attend church, be "religious" (whatever that means), or anything else -- to insure s/he has eternal life with God.

Very simple, because the Bible, that is the New Testament contains more than just that one verse.

Elsewhere in the Bible we find, do not neglect to meet together, why to encourage and be encouraged.

Even Jesus as was his custom went into the synagogue,

Look at Christian history and you will se that every time God has moved in power among us the result is church attendance among those God has touched. You never find Christians living in isolation when God moves among us.

 

[pescador]

Very simple, because the Bible, that is the New Testament contains more than just that one verse.

Elsewhere in the Bible we find, do not neglect to meet together, why to encourage and be encouraged.

Even Jesus as was his custom went into the synagogue,

Look at Christian history and you will se that every time God has moved in power among us the result is church attendance among those God has touched. You never find Christians living in isolation when God moves among us.

If you want to expose yourself to COVID-19 and possibly expose others to the virus, causing death to yourself, your family, your congregation, and others, and think that is God's will, then I think you should ask God why you have this attitude. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to kill innocent people. => Get real! <=

 

[Tolworth John]

If you want to expose yourself to COVID-19 and possibly expose others to the virus, causing death to yourself, your family, your congregation, and others, and think that is God's will, then I think you should ask God why you have this attitude. Nowhere in the Bible does it say to kill innocent people. => Get real! <=

Where in your opening post do you use the pandemic as justification for not meeting to get her.
I have answered your point now please reply to what I said.

 

[pescador]

Where in your opening post do you use the pandemic as justification for not meeting to get her.
I have answered your point now please reply to what I said.

My opening post was about John 3:16. If you want to add something to what God said about meeting together or some other topic, do it elsewhere please. This thread is about salvation, not meeting together and possibly violating the fifth commandment: you shall not murder

 

[prodromos]

What it means to believe in Jesus is laid out in the rest of the New Testament. Ignore it at your peril. Even the demons believe, and tremble.

 

[Behold]

Very simple, because the Bible, that is the New Testament contains more than just that one verse.

Thats true...but its a fact that the core-central idea of the entire Bible is RiGHTEOUSNESS.. = How to GET IT.

Adam and EvE lost it....so how do we get it BACK.

So, the OP is correct. Its all about why you go to heaven or not.

And right there, is where the devils comes in... As he teaches that "sure the cross is there, but see, you have to do and do, and be sure you don't do and don't do, and if you keep on doing all that till you die, then you might just slip into eternal life in the end....if you repent and confess enough.".

 

[SkyWriting]

Perhaps the most famous verse in the New Testament, and possibly the whole Bible, is John 3:16... "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." NET Bible (or whatever translation you choose to read).

What is so difficult to understand about that fundamental statement about Christianity?

a) God loved the world. Not some of it, all of it. There are no exceptions.
b) He gave his one and only son. He gave his own firstborn, knowing that he would be killed.
c) Everyone! Not just some chosen people, everyone on Earth regardless of gender, age, race, or any other factor.
d) Who believes in him. That's all! There is no other requirement. No works, no baptism, no belonging to any denomination or religion, no education, nothing -- just belief!
e) Will not perish but have everlasting life! Belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary to live forever! Wow! Incredibly wonderful! One's physical body may die, but the person will live forever in God's kingdom.

I have been part of many discussions on this forum where people, even Christians, can't accept this most basic of truths. You don't need an established church, you don't need a priesthood, you don't need baptism, you don't need "works", you don't even need a Bible. All you need to do to have everlasting life is believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice to remove your sin and you, yes you, will live forever.

That's not so difficult, is it? I cannot understand why anyone has to add something to that -- belief in some specific creed or doctrine, do "works" to please God, attend church, be "religious" (whatever that means), or anything else -- to insure s/he has eternal life with God.

Scripture explains. these are backsliders mired in legalism.
While they are not understanding of Grace, they are not lost or enemies of God either.

 

[Behold]

Scripture explains. these are backsliders mired in legalism.
While they are not understanding of Grace, they are not lost or enemies of God either.

They are enemies of the Cross, as its the Cross and Jesus's Finished work on the Cross that they are opposing by trying to claim that self effort and not the Blood of Jesus is what KEEPS YOU SAVED.

 

[pescador]

Scripture explains. these are backsliders mired in legalism.
While they are not understanding of Grace, they are not lost or enemies of God either.

I haven't heard the term "backsliders" since my early days as a Christian. I was a member of a fundamentalist, legalistic church that, instead of accepting God's kindness and grace, judged many people as backsliders.

What are you trying to say? Who are "backsliders mired in legalism"?

As I said in the post you replied to, "All you need to do to have everlasting life is believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice to remove your sin and you, yes you, will live forever."

 

[1213]

...All you need to do to have everlasting life is believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice to remove your sin and you, yes you, will live forever.

That's not so difficult, is it? ...

Why did you change it? I think it is better as it is written in the Bible.

 

[Redwingfan9]

Perhaps the most famous verse in the New Testament, and possibly the whole Bible, is John 3:16... "For this is the way God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." NET Bible (or whatever translation you choose to read).

What is so difficult to understand about that fundamental statement about Christianity?

a) God loved the world. Not some of it, all of it. There are no exceptions.
b) He gave his one and only son. He gave his own firstborn, knowing that he would be killed.
c) Everyone! Not just some chosen people, everyone on Earth regardless of gender, age, race, or any other factor.
d) Who believes in him. That's all! There is no other requirement. No works, no baptism, no belonging to any denomination or religion, no education, nothing -- just belief!
e) Will not perish but have everlasting life! Belief in Jesus Christ is all that is necessary to live forever! Wow! Incredibly wonderful! One's physical body may die, but the person will live forever in God's kingdom.

I have been part of many discussions on this forum where people, even Christians, can't accept this most basic of truths. You don't need an established church, you don't need a priesthood, you don't need baptism, you don't need "works", you don't even need a Bible. All you need to do to have everlasting life is believe in Jesus Christ's sacrifice to remove your sin and you, yes you, will live forever.

That's not so difficult, is it? I cannot understand why anyone has to add something to that -- belief in some specific creed or doctrine, do "works" to please God, attend church, be "religious" (whatever that means), or anything else -- to insure s/he has eternal life with God.

Scripture must interpret scripture. Passages such as John 3:16 aren't simple one off verses. Read the entire passage, verses 15-19. It is clear that those who believe are saved and those who do not believe are already condemned. That fits right in with verses like Psalm 14:3 and Romans 3:12 that teach there is none that do good. In other words we are condemned already. We can then look to passages like Eph 1 which teaches that God calls his elect. That fits right in with the entirety of the John 3:15-19 passage.