English class Bible study. March 14, 2009.
The word “for” at the beginning of John 3:16.
1. John 3:14-15
Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up,
that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.
This is to say, the Son of Man, Jesus must be lifted up (died on the cross), after that
everyone can believe in him may have eternal life.
Why God is willing to do a thing like this!? To let Jesus died on the cross!
2. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Jn.3:16
The word "for" here in the beginning of John 3:16 is in answer to a why!
Why Jesus is willing to died on the cross, why Jesus has to be lifted up?
The answer is as John 3:16 says-->
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him
shall not perish but have eternal life.
3. Numbers 21:4-9
They traveled from Mount Hor along the route to the Red Sea, to go around Edom.
But the people grew impatient on the way; they spoke against God and against Moses, and said,
"Why have you brought us up out of Egypt to die in the desert?
There is no bread! There is no water! We detest this miserable food!"
Then the LORD sent venomous snakes among them; they bit the people and many Israelites died.
The people came to Moses and said, "We sinned when we spoke against the LORD and against you.
Pray that the LORD will take the snakes away from us."
So Moses prayed for the people.
The LORD said to Moses, "Make a snake and put it up on a pole;
anyone who is bitten can look at it and live."
So Moses made a bronze snake and put it up on a pole.
Then when anyone was bitten by a snake and looked at the bronze snake, he lived.
Jesus quoted this story to tell them that he is to be lifted up also so that there may be
salvation for them and all the world!
It takes Moses to lift up a bronze snake so that those were bitten can take a look at the
bronze snake and live.
In the New Testament time it is believe and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Spirit to be saved in the Lord!
4. Acts 2:32, 36-38
God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.
Acts 2:36-38 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this:
God has made this Jesus whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
People heard this message and were cut to their hearts. And they asked:
What must we do to be saved?
Peter told them: Repent and be baptized everyone of you for the forgiveness of your sins
and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
From Acts 2:41 we know that day 3000 of them were baptized!
Sins forgiven is salvation for etternal life!
5. 1Cor.15:1-4
Now, brothers, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you,
which you received and on which you have taken your stand.
By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you.
Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance:
that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried,
that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.
These scriptures is to further explain what it takes for sinners in the world
to have eternal life in the Lord Jesus Christ!
Please pay attention and know that the gospel which Apostle Paul delivered to
Corinth is this--> Jesus died, Jesus buried, Jesus rised up from the dead!
Let the world know assuredly, gospel, salvation is to be had after one is baptized!
When we read Ro.6:3-4 we know baptism is to died with Jesus, to be buried with Jesus and to
rise again with Jesus!
Therefore, it is clear salvation is to be had at time of baptism, not at time of confession,
neither at time of repentance, nor at time of believe! It is at the time of water baptism
that sins are forgiven and the gift of the Holy Spirit is received!
Please let no one quote 1 Cor.1:17 to teaching against Paul's own preaching in Acts 22:12-16,
Acts 16:30-34!
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever! March 14, 2009.