John 3:16 and Salvation

It has nothing to do with eternal salvation, because that's not the context. The answer to your second question is no, and it has nothing to do with one's personal beliefs it has to do with the teaching of the Bible.

If your assessment was true then that verse would be in direct violation with Ephesians 2:8-9, which is a past tense subject. It says they have been saved. Done deal. The verb saved is a perfect tense meaning the action has been completed in the past and continues that way until the present and will continue that way out into the future.

Eternal salvation is a one-time event and the matter is never brought up again.

 

It has to do with "perishing", which is losing your life in the age to come, not with spiritual salvation.

 

I've heard him mentioned, but I'm not sure who he is. But, that's not important. I don't follow the teachings of men, I only follow the teachings that are contained within Scriptures.

 

Jesus was talking to Micodemas, a Jew. he used the verb form that denotes continuous belief to emphasize what He was telling him... the one must BELIEVE and contiue to do so, not just accept the fact.

So many today know who Jesus is, and think that that is enough.

John 3:16 speaks of eternal life, contrasting it against the certain finality of human death. Jesus was explaining that once a man is reborn (puts his faith and trust in Christ), eternal life becomes that man's lot, and death no longer is a fear to that man.

 

If you're talking about continually believing to remain faithful, then you are quite corret, but if you're talking about for spiritual salvation, then that contradicts other Scriptures. How do you get this idea of continually believing to remain saved to align with "Believe" in the aorist (punctiliar) to be saved in Acts 16:31?

 

Not what I said.

Nicodemas was a Pharisee. Jesus had to make it abundantly clear to him that the belief He was speaking of wasn't just a nod in Jesus' direction. The Pharisee's already had a long list of "do's" and "dont's", and Jesus didn't want him to think this was something to add to his list. Appartantly Jesus got through to him.

However, faith in Christ is continually believing. This is accomplished because God is the One giving the faith for it, it is not of ourselves.

I don't have the idea you say, other than belief = faith, and that is all that is required. Even if we are unfaithful, He is faithful and does not let go of us.

 

Bingo!

That's why I take my stand on John 3:16.