John 3:16

[Van]

Baptists are split on the specifics of John 3:16. When I was young, and the "Bible" was the KJV, we memorized the verse this way: For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.

Now, using the results of word study, the verse can be understood exegetically as "God sacrificially loved fallen mankind in this way, He gave His uniquely divine Son so that anyone who believes into Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life."

The above interpretation asks the question, just how does one "believe into Christ?" Answer, when and if God credits an individuals faith in God and His Christ as righteousness, God transfers the individual from the realm of darkness (in Adam) into the kingdom of His Son (in Christ).

 

[Van]

Jesus is uniquely divine in that He is God incarnate, God in the flesh, God with us. The "Word" (Logos, the Second Person of the Trinity) became flesh, John 1:14. This fact is what makes Jesus uniquely divine! Full Stop

 

[Van]

The reason "fallen humanity" rather than the "world" is a more accurate translation of the intended meaning is that inorganic material (gas, water, rocks) is unable to "believe." Thus the verse refers to fallen humanity in need of a Savior.

 

[Van]

God giving His Son, His "Lamb of God" in order to provide the means of salvation for humanity certainly is the apex of sacrificial love. Our deep seated love and commitment to our Lord in response to this "Love" cannot be feigned, for God knows our heart.

 

[Reynolds]

Talking to yourself?