JOHN
CHAPTER 3
OBSERVATION
STAGE
TABLE
OF CONTENTS
The purpose of
the observation stage is to maintain focus on the text at hand within the
normative rules of language, context and logic 
which limits the observer to the content offered by the book of John. This
will serve to avoid going on unnecessary tangents elsewhere; and more
importantly, it will provide the framework for a proper and objective
comparison with passages located elsewhere in Scripture.
Remember that
something elsewhere may be true, but in the text at hand it may not be in
view.
Chapter three
is a continuation of chapter two. It begins with the conjunction "de,"
literally "but" and rendered "and" in the YLT: (Jn
3:1-2 YLT) "And there was [a] man of the Pharisees..." as a
continuation of chapter 2. The context of chapter 3 commences with
Nicodemus reflecting on Jesus' previous performances of miraculous signs
as were presented in chapter two. So we will begin at a strategic point in
chapter two so as not to miss the context that chapter three continues and
is a part of:
****** EXCERPT
FROM JOHN CHAPTER TWO ******
.............OR
SKIP TO JN 3:1
[Jn
2:13-22]:
NEAR
THE TIME OF THE PASSOVER, JESUS CLEARED THE TEMPLE OF MERCHANTS,
ANIMALS, BIRDS AND MONEY CHANGERS:
WITH
A WHIP, OVER TURNING TABLES, DECLARING "MAKE NOT THE HOUSE OF MY
FATHER A HOUSE OF MERCHANDISE;" FULFILLING SCRIPTURE: 'ZEAL FOR
YOUR HOUSE WILL CONSUME ME" AS NOTED BY HIS DISCIPLES. THE JEWS
DEMANDED A SIGN FROM JESUS TO PROVE HIS AUTHORITY TO DO THIS, WHEREUPON
JESUS SAID, "DESTROY THIS TEMPLE, AND IN THREE DAYS, I WILL RAISE
IT UP." THE JEWS RESPONDED INCREDUOUSLY, "IT TOOK FORTY-SIX
YEARS TO BUILD THIS TEMPLE, AND YOU WILL RAISE IT UP IN THREE DAYS?"
AUTHOR JOHN NOTES THAT JESUS WAS SPEAKING OF THE TEMPLE OF HIS BODY, AND
NOT THE JERUSALEM TEMPLE BUILT BY HEROD AS THE JEWS WERE THINKING OF.
WHEN JESUS WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD, HIS DISCIPLES REMEMBERED AND
BELIEVED THE SCRIPTURE AND THE WORD WHICH JESUS HAD SPOKEN
[Jn
2:23-25]:
WHILE
JESUS WAS IN JERUSALEM DURING THE FEAST OF PASSOVER, MANY BELIEVED IN
HIS NAME, HAVING OBSERVED HIS MIRACULOUS SIGNS. BUT JESUS WAS NOT
TRUSTING HIMSELF TO THEM IN THE SENSE OF TRUSTING THEM WITH HIS LIFE AND
MISSION BECAUSE HE KNEW WHAT WAS IN MAN - HIS SINFUL CHARACTER; AND HE,
BEING THE SON OF GOD, HAD NO NEED THAT ANYONE SHOULD TESTIFY TO HIM OF
MAN
****** END
OF EXCERPT FROM JOHN CHAPTER TWO ******
I)
[Jn 3:1-2]:
A)
AS JESUS CONTINUED TO PERFORM MIRACULOUS SIGNS, MANY WHO OBSERVED THEM
BELIEVED IN HIS NAME UNTO AN ETERNAL LIFE FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH
GOD. WHEREUPON A PHARISEE AND RULER OF THE JEWS NAMED NICODEMUS, WHO
REPRESENTED A NUMBER OF INDIVIDUALS WHO WERE INQUIRING ABOUT JESUS, CAME
TO JESUS AT NIGHT. HE CALLED JESUS "RABBI" AND DECLARED, "WE
HAVE KNOWN THAT FROM GOD [YOU HAVE] COME - A TEACHER, FOR NO ONE THESE
[MIRACULOUS] SIGNS IS ABLE TO DO THAT [WHICH YOU DO] IF GOD [IS] NOT
...WITH HIM"
1)
[Compare Jn 1:24-25]:
II)
[Jn 3:3]:
A)
IN RESPONSE TO NICODEMUS' DECLARATION / QUESTION OF WHO HE WAS, JESUS
TOLD NICODEMUS THAT HE MUST BE BORN AGAIN FROM ABOVE IN ORDER TO SEE,
I.E., ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD. JESUS' AUTHORITATIVE TONE IMPLIED THAT
HE WAS THE PROVIDER OF ETERNAL LIFE AND THE GATEWAY INTO THE KINGDOM OF
GOD THROUGH FAITH IN HIM - THE MESSAGE HE HAD BEEN PREACHING TO THE
CROWDS WHILE PERFORMING THE MIRACULOUS SIGNS WHICH NICODEMUS SPOKE OF.
JESUS' ANSWER FURTHER IMPLIED THAT NICODEMUS AND HIS GROUP SHOULD HAVE
BEEN FAMILIAR WITH JESUS' MESSAGE, IN VIEW OF THE FACT THAT THEY
CONCLUDED THAT JESUS CAME FROM GOD AND GOD WAS WITH HIM BECAUSE OF THE
MIRACULOUS SIGNS HE WAS PERFORMING. THEY WERE EVIDENTLY CONSIDERING THAT
JESUS MIGHT BE THE ONE WHO WOULD COME TO ESTABLISH THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON
EARTH
1)
[Compare Jn 3:5-6]:
2)
[Compare Jn 1:12-13]:
III)
[Jn 3:4]:
A)
NICODEMUS REMAINED IN A STATE OF WILLFUL IGNORANCE AND UNBELIEF IN WHAT
JESUS HAD BEEN PREACHING TO THE CROWDS AND TO HIM: THAT UNLESS ONE WAS
BORN AGAIN FROM ABOVE - A SPIRITUAL BIRTH OF RECEIVING A NEWBORN SPIRIT
AND CLEANSING FROM ALL SINS - ONE COULD NOT SEE [ENTER] THE KINGDOM OF
GOD, IMPLYING THAT JESUS WAS THE PROVIDER OF ETERNAL LIFE AND THE
GATEWAY INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH FAITH IN HIM UNTO AN ETERNAL
LIFE FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD. HENCE NICODEMUS SAID TO JESUS, "HOW
IS A MAN ABLE TO BE BORN [AGAIN], BEING OLD? IS HE ABLE INTO THE WOMB OF
HIS MOTHER A SECOND TIME TO ENTER AND TO BE BORN?"
IV)
[Jn 3:5-6]:
A)
IN ANSWER TO NICODEMUS' QUESTION OF HOW A MAN IS ABLE TO BE BORN AGAIN
FROM ABOVE, JESUS SAID THAT ANY ONE NOT BORN OF WATER - NEITHER GIVEN A
NEWBORN SPIRIT NOR CLEANSED FROM SINS - IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM IS NOT
ABLE TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF GOD
1)
[Compare Ez 36:24-27 from the Old Testament]:
a)
[Compare Nu 8:5-7]:
1)
cont.) [Ez 36:24-27 cont.]:
B)
BEING BORN OF WATER AND SPIRIT - BEING GIVEN A NEWBORN SPIRIT AND
CLEANSED FROM SINS - IS EXCLUSIVELY OUT OF THE SPIRITUAL REALM; FOR IT
IS THAT WHICH IS FLESH WHICH GIVES BIRTH EXCLUSIVELY TO FLESH AND IT IS
THAT WHICH IS SPIRITUAL WHICH GIVES BIRTH EXCLUSIVELY TO THE NEWBORN
HUMAN SPIRIT
V)
[Jn 3:7-8]:
A)
JESUS TOLD NICODEMUS NOT TO MARVEL THAT HE SAID, "YOU MUST BE BORN
AGAIN FROM ABOVE;" FOR JUST AS '''THE "PNEUMA" = "WIND"
BLOWS WHERE IT WISHES AND YOU HEAR THE SOUND OF IT, BUT DO NOT KNOW
WHERE IT COMES FROM AND WHERE IT IS GOING''' - SO IT IS WITH THE WORK OF
BEING BORN AGAIN FROM ABOVE OUT OF THE "PNEUMATOS" = "SPIRITUAL
REALM:" IT IS AS THE "PNEUMA" = "SPIRIT OF GOD"
WISHES: IF YOU HAVE HEARD OF HIS WORK YOU STILL WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE,
WHEN OR HOW HE COMES AND GOES TO DO HIS WORK
VI)
[Jn 3:9-10]:
A)
DESPITE:
1) THE TESTIMONY OF
JESUS TO THE CROWDS WHEREUPON MANY BELIEVED IN HIS NAME TO BECOME BORN
AGAIN FROM ABOVE UNTO AN ETERNAL LIFE FAMILIAL RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD IN
THE KINGDOM OF GOD;
2) THE MIRACULOUS SIGNS
NICODEMUS ACKNOWLEDGED PROVED THAT JESUS CAME FROM GOD AND THAT GOD WAS
WITH HIM;
3) JESUS' REPEATED
EXPLANATIONS TO NICODEMUS OF HAVING TO BE BORN AGAIN FROM ABOVE IN ORDER
TO SEE [ENTER] THE KINGDOM OF GOD USING EARTHLY ANALOGIES AND REFERENCES
TO SCRIPTURE
NICODEMUS - THE TEACHER
OF SCRIPTURE TO ISRAEL RESPONDED INCOMPREHENSIVELY WITH "HOW CAN
THESE THINGS BE," CHOOSING TO REMAIN IN IGNORANCE. CONSEQUENTLY,
JESUS EXCLAIMED, "[YOU ARE] TEACHER OF ISRAEL AND THESE THINGS [YOU
DO] NOT KNOW?!"
VII)
[Jn 3:11-12]:
A)
JESUS, OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE AND MESSENGERS OF HIS DAY BORE WITNESS TO
NICODEMUS AND ISRAEL ABOUT BEING BORN AGAIN FROM ABOVE IN ORDER TO ENTER
THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD THROUGH A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN JESUS
CHRIST ALONE, WHICH TESTIMONY WAS LARGELY REJECTED. SINCE JESUS'
TESTIMONY AND THAT OF THE OTHERS WAS FULLY COMPREHENSIBLE AND BELIEVABLE
AS IT WAS BASED ON WHAT WAS KNOWN, SEEN AND CONVEYED IN EARTHLY
ANALOGIES YET NOT RECEIVED; THEN JESUS ASKED HOW THEN IF HE SPOKE TO
THEM OF HEAVENLY THINGS, WOULD THEY BELIEVE?' - IT WAS UNLIKELY
1) [Compare Jn
1:10-11]:
VIII)
[Jn 3:13]:
A)
AT THE TIME OF JESUS' CONVERSATION WITH NICODEMUS, NO ONE HAD ASCENDED
TO HEAVEN BUT THE SON OF MAN, JESUS HIMSELF, WHO CAME DOWN FROM HEAVEN,
WHO YET WAS IN HEAVEN - A REFERENCE TO HIS ETERNAL OMNIPRESENCE IN
HEAVEN AND ON EARTH - AN ATTRIBUTE OF GOD ALONE
*** EXCERPT FROM JN
CHAPTER ONE RE: JESUS AS THE SON OF MAN ***
..................................OR
SKIP TO THE NEXT VERSE
AS
JOHN THE BAPTIST CONTINUED TO ANNOUNCE JESUS AS THE LAMB OF GOD, ANDREW
AND ANOTHER DISCIPLE OF JOHN BEGAN TO FOLLOW JESUS. SIMON PETER, PHILIP
AND NATHANAEL JOIN THEM. DECLARATIONS ARE MADE OF FINDING THE MESSIAH IN
JESUS, AND THAT HE IS THE SON OF GOD AND KING OF ISRAEL. DUE TO
NATHANAEL'S REMARKABLE FAITH IN HIM, JESUS SAYS TO NATHANAEL: "HEREAFTER
YOU SHALL SEE HEAVEN OPEN, AND THE ANGELS OF GOD ASCENDING AND
DESCENDING UPON THE SON OF MAN"
1)
[Compare Jn 1:38 Greek]:
2)
[Compare Gen 28:10-12 versions]:
3)
[Compare Dan 7:9-14]:
4)
[Compare Ps 80:14-17]:
*** END OF EXCERPT FROM
JOHN CHAPTER ONE ***
IX)
[Jn 3:14-15]:
A)
JESUS REFERRED TO A PASSAGE FROM SCRIPTURE WHICH TELLS OF WHEN, IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LORD'S INSTRUCTIONS, MOSES MADE A BRONZE SNAKE AND
PUT IT ON A POLE PLACING IT IN SUCH A MANNER THAT ANY ISRAELITE WHO WAS
BITTEN BY A POISONOUS SNAKE, (NOT JUST THE LIMITED FEW WHO WOULD LOOK AT
IT AND LIVE), WOULD KNOW OF ITS PURPOSE AND COULD LOOK UP AT THE BRONZE
SNAKE FROM WHERE THEY WERE IN A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN GOD'S PROVISION
AND SURVIVE THE SNAKE BITE AND LIVE. NOTE THAT THE SNAKES WERE SENT BY
THE LORD TO DISCIPLINE UNFAITHFUL ISRAEL
1)
[Compare Numbers 21:6-9]:
a)
In Accordance With The LORD's Instructions, Moses Made A Bronze Snake
And Put It On A Pole Placing It In Such A Manner That Any Israelite Who
Was Bitten By A Poisonous Snake, (Not Just The Limited Few Who Would
Look At It And Live), Would Know Of Its Purpose And Could Look Up At The
Bronze Snake From Where They Were In A Moment Of Faith Alone In God's
Provision And Survive The Snake Bite And Live. Note That The Snakes Were
Sent By The LORD To Discipline Unfaithful Israel
B)
THE O.T. ILLUSTRATION OF MOSES LIFTING UP A BRONZE SNAKE ON A POLE IS
USED TO SHOW THAT IN THE SAME WAY THAT A LOOK OF FAITH UPON THE BRONZE
SNAKE SAVED AN ISRAELITE FROM DYING FROM A POISONOUS SNAKE BITE, SO WITH
ALL MANKIND IN VIEW, WHOEVER EXERCISES A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN THE
SON OF MAN, JESUS CHRIST BEING LIFTED UP [ON THE CROSS TO PAY FOR SINS]
SHOULD NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL PERISHING BUT [SHOULD] HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE
1)
The Phrase, 'The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up' Parallels 'Just As Moses
Lifted Up The Snake In The Desert,' Such That Just As The Action Of The
Bronze Snake Being Set On A Pole In Order To Provide A Means By Which An
Ancient Israelite Might View It, Believe In The LORD And Be Saved From A
Poisonous Snake Bite And Live; So Jesus Christ, The Son Of Man, Was To
Be Lifted Up Such That An Atonement For The Sins Of The Whole World
Would Be Accomplished So That, With All Mankind In View, Whoever
Believes In Him Should Never Have To Experience Eternal Perishing But
Should Have, i.e., Should Be Saved From Ones Sins Unto Eternal Life
2)
The Phrase Rendered "So The Son Of Man Must Be Lifted Up So That
Whoever Believes In Him Should Not Perish But [Should] Have Eternal Life"
Does Not Have The Ascension Of Jesus Christ In View As Some Maintain
3)
Just As Provision Was Made By God For Any Ancient Israelite, So
That If He Were Bitten By A Poisonous Snake, He Would Have The
Opportunity To Choose To Look Upon The Bronze Snake Moses Made And
Lifted Up On A Pole, And He Would Live; So In the Same Way, Provision
Was Made By God For Any Man, So That He Has The Opportunity To
Choose To Believe In The Son Of Man, Jesus Christ, Being Lifted Up In An
Atoning Sacrifice For The Sins Of All Mankind In Order To Never Have To
Experience Eternal Perishing But Have Eternal Life. Since All Mankind Is
In View Relative To The Atonement Provision Of The Son Of Man,
Especially In Light Of The Absence Of Limiting Words; Then The Word
Rendered "Whoever" In Jn 3:15 Refers To All Mankind And Not
Just A Limited Few Who Would Choose To Believe, As Some Maintain
C)
THE GREEK PHRASE RENDERED "WHOEVER BELIEVES" IN JN 3:15 NKJV
IS NOT A PRESENT TENSE VERB WHICH CONVEYS CONTINUOUS ACTION BUT A
NOMINATIVE PRESENT PARTICIPLE - A NOUN PORTRAYING PUNCTILEAR ACTION
CONVEYING 'THE BELIEVER,' THE ONE WHO EXERCISED A MOMENT OF FAITH = A
MOMENT OF MENTAL ASSENT IN JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF MAN, IN ORDER TO
NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL PERISHING BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
CONTINUOUS FAITH IN CHRIST IS NEITHER ATTAINABLE BY MORTAL MAN, NOR IN
VIEW IN JN 3:14-15
1)
The Greek Phrase Rendered "Whoever Believes" In Jn 3:15 Is Not
A Present Tense Verb But A Nominative Present Participle - A Noun
Portraying Punctilear Action Conveying A Believer, i.e., One Who Has
Exercised A Single Moment Of Believing And Not A Continuous One In Order
To Never Have To Experience Eternal Perishing But Have Eternal Life
a)
[Compare Mk 6:14]:
2)
Even If The Phrase "Whoever Believes" In Jn 3:15 Were Rendered
From A Present Tense Greek Verb To Portray A Present Tense Action, (And
That Is Not The Case), A Present Tense Verb Without Qualifiers Would
Still Not Convey A Requirement That One Continuously Believe In The Son
Of Man In Order To Never Have To Experience Eternal Perishing But Have
Eternal Life
a)
Simple Present Tense Does Not Demand Continuous Action Without
Qualifiers In Greek, English, Hebrew, etc. - Present Tense With
Qualifiers Are Required Which Are Absent In Jn 3:15
i)
[Compare Hebrews 13:15]:
b)
If The Simple Present Tense Always Demanded Continuous Action It Would
Destroy The Supernaturally Consistent Quality Of Scripture And Violate
The Normative Rules Of Language, Context And Logic Upon Which The
Scriptures Are Based. It Would Force Eternal Life To Be Less Than
Everlasting And Make God Out To Be A Liar
c)
The Greek Phrase Rendered "Should Not Perish" Is A Punctiliar,
Completed Action Result Of The One Who Believes Which Provides An
Individual With A State Of Never Having To Experience Eternal Perishing
At The Moment He Becomes A Believer. The Completed Action Result Of
Never Having To Experience Eternal Persishing Is Never Affected By
Whether Or Not The Believing Continues
d)
Since The States Of Never Having To Experience Eternal Perishing As
Expressed By An Aorist / Completed Action Verb And Of Having Eternal
Life As Expressed By A Present Tense Verb Are Immediately Begun At The
Moment One Begins To Believe Which By Definition And Nature Are Ongoing
And Uninterruptible, Hence Not Requiring Ongoing Faith To Keep That
State Going; Then If The Phrase In Jn 3:15 Rendered "Whoever
Believes" In The NKJV Were To Be In Some Category Of The Present
Tense In The Greek Bible As Some Maintain, (And It Is Not - It Is A
Nominative Participle For Noun), Then The Rules Of Greek Grammar,
Context And Logic Demand That It Be In The Aoristic Present And As Such
Would Then Present The Action As A Simple Completed Event Without Any
Reference To Its Progress - Serving The Same Function As The Nominative
Participle For Noun
e)
A Continuous State Of Believing In Christ Is Not Possible With Man -
Hence A Moment Of Faith Alone In Christ Alone Is The Only Feasible
Possibility
i)
[1 Jn 1:8, 10]:
ii)
[Compare 1 Jn 4:7-8]:
f)
Belief, Faith & Trust Defined As Mental Assent
[New
Testament Greek Dictionary Definition Of Faith, Believe, Trust]
D)
THE PHRASES "SHOULD NOT PERISH" AND "[SHOULD] HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE" IN JN 3:15 REFER TO THE CERTAINTY OF NEVER HAVING TO
EXPERIENCE PERISHING IN ETERNAL / UNENDING PUNISHMENT AND SEPARATION
FROM GOD AND THE CERTAINTY OF HAVING ETERNAL / UNENDING GODLY LIFE WITH
GOD RESPECTIVELY
1)
Although The Verbs In The Phrase "Should Not Perish But [Should]
Have Eternal Life" In Jn 3:15 Are In The Subjunctive Mood = A Mood
Of Objective Possibility Of The Promise Of Never Having To Experience
Eternal Perishing But Having Eternal Life, It Is A Certainty Because It
Is Promised And Provided By God Himself
2)
God Must Be Portrayed As Unfaithful And Unjust If The Context Is To Fit
Uncertainty In Jn 3:14-15
3)
The Greek Phrase "zOEn aiOnion" In Jn 3:15 Means Eternal,
i.e., Unending Godly Life With God
a)
[Compare Ezek 37:26]:
4)
Since "zOEn aiOnion" Means "Eternal Life" Then "mE
apolEtai" Rendered "Should Not Perish" Must Be Equivalent
But Opposite, i.e., Eternal Perishing, i.e., Eternal Death / Destruction
5)
Eternal Life Once Received Is An Intrinsic Part Of An Individual Which
Can Never Be Lost
a)
Life Is An Intrinsic Part Of An Individual
b)
Eternal Life Once Begun In An Individual Cannot Cease To Exist Or Exist
Separately From The Individual - Being Intrinsic To The Individual
Eternal, One Can Never Lose It
i)
[Jn 3:16]:
X)
[Jn 3:16]:
A)
THE WORD RENDERED "FOR" IN JN 3:16 TIES WHAT WAS PREVIOUSLY
PRESENTED IN THE GOSPEL OF JOHN TO JN 3:16, ESPECIALLY RELATIVE TO BEING
SPIRITUALLY BORN FROM ABOVE IN THE SPIRITUAL REALM THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF
GOD VIA A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN THE SON OF MAN, JESUS CHRIST, BEING
LIFTED UP [ON A CROSS] IN AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE
WORLD, WITH ALL MANKIND IN VIEW
B)
IN VIEW OF WHAT WAS STIPULATED IN JN 3:14-15, WHICH CONTEXT CONTINUES ON
INTO THE NEXT VERSE, THE PHRASE IN JN 3:16 RENDERED "FOR GOD SO
LOVED THE WORLD THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON" INDICATES THAT
IT WAS SO GREAT AN EXPRESSION OF GOD'S LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND WHICH
MOTIVATED HIM TO MAKE PROVISION FOR ETERNAL LIFE FOR ALL MANKIND THROUGH
AN ATONING SACRIFICE OF THE SON OF MAN, HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, JESUS
CHRIST FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD WHICH ATONEMENT WAS AT THAT TIME
YET TO BE COMPLETED WHEN JESUS WAS SPEAKING TO NICODEMUS. NOTE THAT THE
TRIUNE GOD OF THE BIBLE, MORE SPECIFICALLY GOD THE FATHER, IS IN VIEW
C)
JESUS USED THE PAST TENSE TO PORTRAY A FUTURE EVENT BECAUSE IT
EMPHASIZED GOD'S ABSOLUTE SOVEREIGN CAPACITY TO FULFILL HIS PROMISES: HE
STIPULATED THAT GOD WAS MOTIVATED BY AN EXPRESSION OF HIS EXTRAORDINARY
LOVE FOR ALL MANKIND THAT HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON, THE SON OF MAN,
(JESUS CHRIST HIMSELF), TO BE LIFTED UP (ON A CROSS) IN AN ATONING
SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD AS IF THAT SACRIFICE WERE A
COMPLETED HISTORICAL FACT AT THE TIME JESUS SPOKE THE WORDS OF JN
3:14-16 TO NICODEMUS. YET THE EVENT HAD NOT YET OCCURRED
1)
[Eph 2:6-7]:
D)
THE PHRASE "[GOD] GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON" DOES NOT HAVE THE
INCARNATION OR ASCENSION OF THE LORD IN VIEW AS SOME MAINTAIN
E)
THE PHRASE "ONE AND ONLY SON" IN JN 3:16 REFERS TO JESUS BEING
THE UNIQUE, ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD - GOD THE SON - DIETY
1)
The Phrase "Only Begotten" In The KJV And Other Versions
Should Be Rendered "One and Only," i.e., Unique According To
The Original Text
a)
[Jn 3:16 KJV]:
i)
[Compare Heb 11:17]:
2)
The Phrase "One And OnlySon" Of God Implies Diety = The Unique
Son Of God Who Is God Himself: God The Son
a)
The Phrase "Son Of..." Often Implies Possession Of Certain
Specified Characteristics
i)
[Isa 57:1-4]:
ii)
[Isa 14:11-12]:
iii)
[Jer 49:33]:
b)
"The Son Of God" Is Identified As Diety In The Old Testament
i)
[Compare Pr 30:4]:
ii)
[Compare Dan 3:25, 28 NAS]:
c)
The New Testament Confirms The O.T. Teaching That The Term "The Son
Of God" Is Diety
i)
[Compare Jn 10:30-33, 36b; 39]:
ii)
[Compare Jn 5:17-18]:
iii)
[Compare Jn 19:7]:
F)
THE GREEK PHRASE RENDERED "WHOEVER BELIEVES" IN JN 3:16 NIV IS
NOT A PRESENT TENSE VERB WHICH CONVEYS CONTINUOUS ACTION BUT A
NOMINATIVE PRESENT PARTICIPLE - A NOUN PORTRAYING PUNCTILEAR ACTION
CONVEYING 'THE BELIEVER', THE ONE WHO EXERCISED A MOMENT OF FAITH = A
MOMENT OF MENTAL ASSENT IN JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD, IN ORDER TO
NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL PERISHING BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE.
CONTINUOUS FAITH IN CHRIST IS NEITHER ATTAINABLE BY MORTAL MAN, NOR IN
VIEW IN JN 3:14-16
1)
The Greek Phrase Rendered "Whoever Believes" In Jn 3:16 Is Not
A Present Tense Verb But A Nominative Present Participle - A Noun
Portraying Punctilear Action Conveying A Believer, i.e., One Who Has
Exercised A Single Moment Of Believing And Not A Continuous One In Order
To Never Have To Experience Eternal Perishing But Have Eternal Life
a)
[Compare Mk 6:14]:
2)
Even If The Phrase "Whoever Believes" In Jn 3:16 Were Rendered
From A Present Tense Greek Verb To Portray A Present Tense Action, (And
That Is Not The Case), A Present Tense Verb Without Qualifiers Would
Still Not Convey A Requirement That One Continuously Believe In The Son
Of God In Order To Never Have To Experience Eternal Perishing But Have
Eternal Life
a)
Simple Present Tense Does Not Demand Continuous Action Without
Qualifiers In Greek, English, Hebrew, etc. - Present Tense With
Qualifiers Are Required Which Are Absent In Jn 3:16
i)
[Compare Hebrews 13:15]:
b)
If The Simple Present Tense Always Demanded Continuous Action It Would
Destroy The Supernaturally Consistent Quality Of Scripture And Violate
The Normative Rules Of Language, Context And Logic Upon Which The
Scriptures Are Based. It Would Force Eternal Life To Be Less Than
Everlasting And Make God Out To Be A Liar
c)
Since The States Of Never Having To Experience Eternal Perishing As
Expressed By An Aorist / Completed Action Verb And Of Having Eternal
Life As Expressed By A Present Tense Verb Are Immediately Begun At The
Moment One Begins To Believe Which By Definition And Nature Are Ongoing
And Uninterruptible, Hence Not Requiring Ongoing Faith To Keep That
State Going; Then If The Phrase In Jn 3:16 Rendered "Whoever
Believes" In The NIV Were To Be In Some Category Of The Present
Tense In The Greek Bible As Some Maintain, (And It Is Not - It Is A
Nominative Participle For Noun), Then The Rules Of Greek Grammar,
Context And Logic Demand That It Be In The Aoristic Present And As Such
Would Then Present The Action As A Simple Completed Event Without Any
Reference To Its Progress - Serving The Same Function As The Nominative
Participle For Noun
d)
A Continuous State Of Believing In Christ Is Not Possible With Man -
Hence A Moment Of Faith Alone In Christ Alone Is The Only Attainable
Possibility
i)
[1 Jn 1:8, 10]:
ii)
Compare 1 Jn 4:7-12]:
e)
The Greek Phrase Rendered "Should Not Perish" Is A Punctiliar,
Completed Action Result Of The One Who Believes Which Provides An
Individual With A State Of Never Having To Experience Eternal Perishing
At The Moment He Becomes A Believer. The Completed Action Result Of
Never Having To Experience Eternal Persishing Is Never Affected By
Whether Or Not The Believing Continues Or Discontinues
3)
Belief, Faith & Trust Defined As Mental Assent
a)
English Dictionary Definition Of Faith, Believe, Trust
b)
New Testament Greek Dictionary Definition Of Faith, Believe, Trust
G)
THE PHRASES "SHOULD NOT PERISH" AND "[SHOULD] HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE" IN JN 3:16 REFER TO THE CERTAINTY OF NOT
EXPERIENCING PERISHING IN ETERNAL / UNENDING PUNISHMENT AND SEPARATION
FROM GOD AND THE CERTAINTY OF ETERNAL / UNENDING GODLY LIFE WITH GOD
RESPECTIVELY
THE
REST OF SCRIPTURE CORROBORATES THIS
1)
Although The Verbs In The Phrase "Should Not Perish But [Should]
Have Eternal Life" In Jn 3:15 Are In The Subjunctive Mood = A Mood
Of Objective Possibility Of The Promise Of Never Having To Experience
Eternal Perishing But Having Eternal Life, It Is A Certainty Because It
Is Promised And Provided By God Himself
2)
God Must Be Portrayed As Unfaithful And Unjust If The Context Is To Fit
Uncertainty In Jn 3:14-15
3)
The Greek Phrase "zOEn aiOnion" In Jn 3:16 Means Eternal,
i.e., Unending Godly Life With God
a)
[Compare Ezek 37:26]:
4)
Eternal Life Once Received Is Intrinsic In An Individual Forever Because
It Is Eternal. Therefore It Can Never Be Lost
a)
Life Is An Intrinsic Part Of An Individual
b)
Since Life Is Intrinsic In An Individual, Then Eternal Life Once
Received Is Eternally Intrinsic In Every Part Of An Individual's Being
Forever Because It Is Life And It Is Eternal. Therefore It Can Neither
Be Lost Nor Depart From That Individual In Any Manner For Any Duration
Of Time
i)
[Compare Jn 3:16]:
5)
The Present Tense Verb "Should Have Eternal Life" Conveys
Certain Present Possession Of Eternal Life Forever Since God, The
Provider Of Eternal Life Is Absolutely Reliable And Eternal Life Is
Forever
H)
SINCE A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE IS REPEATEDLY STIPULATED
IN JOHN CHAPTERS ONE THROUGH THREE, (AND THE REST OF THE BOOK AS WELL),
AS THE ONLY RESPONSE REQUIRED IN ORDER TO RECEIVE ETERNAL LIFE AND
ALWAYS IN A CONTEXT WHICH LEAVES NO ROOM FOR ANY OTHER REQUIREMENT; THEN
ANY OTHER RESPONSE MAY NOT BE ASSUMED AS REQUIRED, NOR FORCED INTO
JOHN'S WRITING, NOR EVEN CONSIDERED AS REQUIRED EVEN IF ONE THINKS HE
HAS DISCOVERD A PASSAGE THAT REQUIRES IT, (WHICH THERE ARE NONE) -
UNLESS AUTHOR JOHN'S WRITINGS ARE ERRONEOUS AND UNTRUSTWORTHY - AND THEY
ARE NOT
I)
SINCE GOD GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON IN AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS
OF ALL MANKIND SO THAT WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH BECAUSE
OF THEIR UNFORGIVEN SINS BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE, THEN THIS IMPLIES THAT
ALL MANKIND HAS COMMITTED SINS FOR THEM TO BE ATONED FOR
XI)
[Jn 3:17]:
A)
SINCE GOD GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON IN AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS
OF THE WHOLE WORLD, THEN HE DID NOT SEND HIS SON, JESUS CHRIST, THE
ETERNAL SON OF GOD IN HIS HUMANITY, INTO THE WORLD - TO ALL MANKIND - TO
CONDEMN ALL MANKIND UNTO ETERNAL PERISHING BUT TO MAKE PROVISION FOR THE
SALVATION OF ALL UNTO ETERNAL LIFE. THIS IMPLIES THAT ALL MANKIND IS
UNRIGHTEOUS AND HEADED FOR ETERNAL CONDEMNATION AND IN NEED OF A SAVIOR
XII)
[Jn 3:18]:
A)
THE ONE WHO HAS BELIEVED IN JESUS CHRIST IS NOT CONDEMNED, I.E., HE WILL
NEVER HAVE TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL PERISHING; BUT THE ONE WHO HAS NOT YET
BELIEVED HAS BEEN CONDEMNED ALREADY - DESTINED TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL
PERISHING UNTIL HE BELIEVES BECAUSE HE HAS NOT YET BELIEVED IN THE NAME
OF THE ONE AND ONLY SON OF GOD TO PROVIDE HIM WITH ETERNAL LIFE
B)
ACCORDING TO JN 3:18 AND THE REST OF SCRIPTURE, ALTHOUGH AN INDIVIDUAL
WHO HAS NOT YET CHOSEN TO BELIEVE IN THE NAME OF THE SON OF GOD AND WHO
CONTINUES IN THAT UNBELIEF WILL REMAIN IN A STATE DESTINED FOR GOD'S
ETERNAL CONDEMNATION - DESTINED TO EXPERIENCE ETERNAL PERISHING UNTIL HE
BELIEVES; IT IS NOT ALSO TRUE THAT ONE WHO BELIEVES MUST REMAIN IN A
CONTINUAL STATE OF BELIEVING IN JESUS CHRIST IN ORDER TO REMAIN IN
POSSESSION OF ETERNAL LIFE; NOR WOULD ANY LAPSE IN FAITH NEGATE THAT
POSSESSION AND RETURN ONE TO A STATE DESTINED FOR GOD'S ETERNAL
CONDEMNATION
XIII)
[Jn 3:19]:
*** EXCERPT
FROM JOHN CHAPTER ONE RELATIVE TO THE LIGHT ***
..................................................OR
SKIP TO NEXT SECTION
IN
HIM WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE LIFE FROM THE BEGINNING OF TIME AND CREATION.
HE WAS AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE SOURCE AND SUSTAINER OF THE LIFE OF ALL
THINGS, AND THE SOURCE OF TEMPORAL AND ETERNAL LIFE. HE WAS AND WILL
ALWAYS BE CREATOR, ETERNAL AND GOD; AND HE - THE LIFE - WAS IN [THE]
BEGINNING AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE LIGHT OF MEN - THE ILLUMINATION TO MEN
OF HIMSELF AS CREATOR, ETERNAL AND GOD AND OF TRUTH ABOUT GOD.
NEVERTHELESS MEN HAVE DELIBERATELY REMAINED IN DARKNESS - IN SIN,
WILLFULLY OPPOSED TO COMPREHENDING AND KNOWING GOD
*** END OF
EXCERPT FROM JOHN CHAPTER ONE ***
A)
THIS IS THE JUDGMENT OF GOD ABOUT ALL MANKIND: THE WORD, ETERNAL GOD,
CREATOR, SON OF GOD WHO BECAME FLESH TO DWELL AMONG MANKIND - JESUS
CHRIST, THE EMBODIMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, THE LIGHT OF MEN HAS
COME INTO THE WORLD; AND MEN LOVED THE DARKNESS OF SIN RATHER THAN THE
LIGHT OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS, FOR THEIR DEEDS WERE EVIL, I.E., THEIR
INTRINSIC NATURES WERE SINFUL. THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS AMONGST ALL OF
MANKIND; AND WITHOUT THE AVAILABILITY OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS FOR
INDIVIDUALS TO CHOOSE TO RECEIVE THROUGH A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN
CHRIST'S ATONEMENT FOR SINS ALONE, ALL MEN WOULD BE CONDEMNED TO A
DESTINY OF ETERNAL PERISHING
XIV)
[Jn 3:20]:
A)
ALL MEN LOVE THE DARKNESS OF SIN RATHER THAN THE LIGHT, JESUS CHRIST -
THE EMBODIMENT OF THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD - BECAUSE THEIR DEEDS ARE
EVIL. SO EVERYONE DOES EVIL - EVEN BELIEVERS; AND WHEN THEY DO, THEY
HATE THE LIGHT AND THEY DO NOT COME FACE TO FACE WITH THE LIGHT FOR FEAR
THAT THEIR EVIL DEEDS WILL BE EXPOSED, I.E., FOR FEAR THAT THEY WILL BE
MADE FULLY AWARE OF THEIR OWN UNRIGHTEOUSNESS BEFORE GOD
B)
SINCE GOD GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON IN AN ATONING SACRIFICE FOR THE SINS
OF ALL MANKIND SO THAT WHOEVER OF ALL MANKIND BELIEVES IN HIM SHOULD NOT
PERISH BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE; THEN THIS IMPLIES THAT ALL MANKIND HAS
COMMITTED SINS SINCE ALL MANKIND WAS ATONED FOR BY JESUS CHRIST. THIS IS
CORROBORATED BY THE PHRASE "BUT HE WHO DOES NOT BELIEVE IS
CONDEMNED ALREADY" IN JN 3:18 IMPLYING THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS
COMMITTED ACTS OF SIN AND NEEDS TO EXPRESS A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN
CHRIST ALONE OR STAND CONDEMNED FOR HIS SINS
XV)
[Jn 3:21]:
A)
WHEN ONE DOES CHOOSE TO DO THE TRUTH, IT IS AS A MATTER OF COURSE WHILE
DOING SUCH GODLY / RIGHTEOUS ACTS THAT ONE IS CONSCIOUS OF AND COMES BY
FAITH TO (INTO) THE LIGHT, JESUS CHRIST, ACKNOWLEDGING HIM, THE
EMBODIMENT OF TRUTH AND THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, IN SUCH A MANNER THAT
ONES DEEDS MAY BE CLEARLY SEEN, I.E., KNOWN, THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DONE IN
GOD, (LIT., BY MEANS OF OR THROUGH GOD)
XVI)
[Jn 3:22-30]:
A)
AFTER THESE THINGS; WHICH INCLUDE HIS COMING TO JOHN THE BAPTIST,
GATHERING HIS FIRST DISCIPLES, PERFORMING HIS FIRST MIRACLE AT THE
WEDDING IN CANA, CLEARING THE TEMPLE OF MONEY CHANGERS, SPEAKING WITH
NICODEMUS ABOUT BEING BORN AGAIN INTO THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD; JESUS
BEGAN BAPTIZING WITH HIS DISCIPLES IN JUDEA. JOHN, WHO WAS NOT YET CAST
IN PRISON, WAS ALSO BAPTIZING WITH HIS DISCIPLES NEARBY IN AENON. SOME
JEWS HAD A QUESTION ABOUT PURIFYING. FURTHERMORE, JOHN'S DISCIPLES
DECLARED THAT 'ALL' WERE COMING TO JESUS TO BE BAPTIZED INSTEAD OF JOHN;
HE REMINDED THEM THAT HE SAID THAT HE WAS NOT THE CHRIST, BUT THAT HE
WAS THE FRIEND OF CHRIST, THE BRIDEGROOM, TO WHOM THE BRIDE - THE BODY
OF BELIEVERS BELONGS. JOHN DECLARED THAT HE WAS SENT BY GOD TO ANNOUNCE
AND PREPARE THE WAY FOR JESUS' COMING AND THEN ATTEND TO HIM WHEN HE
ARRIVED. THIS BEING DONE, JOHN'S JOY WAS COMPLETE AND SO THE BRIDEGROOOM
MUST INCREASE AND JOHN MUST DECREASE
XVII)
[Jn 3:31-35]:
A)
THE SON OF GOD, THE ONE WHO HAS COME FROM HEAVEN, IS THE SUPREME
AUTHORITY OVER ALL THINGS. YET MANKIND HAS AND WILL LARGELY REJECT HIM
AND HIS TESTIMONY. BUT HE WHO DOES BELIEVE IN HIM HAS SET HIS SEAL - HAS
GIVEN HIS SOLEMN TESTIMONY - THAT GOD IS TRUE BECAUSE IT CAN BE SEEN
THAT HE WHOM GOD HAS SENT SPEAKS THE WORDS OF TRUTH - THE WORDS OF GOD
HIMSELF BY DIRECTION OF THE SPIRIT WITHOUT LIMIT. THE FATHER SO LOVES
THE SON THAT HE HAS GIVEN ALL THINGS INTO HIS HAND
1)
[Compare Jn 3:11-13]:
MORE ON JESUS AS THE SON
OF MAN
XVIII)
[Jn 3:36]:
A)
THE BELIEVING ONE - THE ONE WHO HAS EXPRESSED A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN
THE SON'S ATONING SACRIFICE FOR SINS ALONE HAS IMMEDIATE POSSESSION OF
ETERNAL LIFE AT THAT MOMENT AND FOREVER; BUT THE OPPOSITE: THE ONE WHO
DOES NOT EVER OBEY THE SON - THE ONE WHO DOES NOT EVER CHOOSE TO BE
SUBJECT TO THE SON'S REQUIREMENT TO BELIEVE IN HIM - THE ONE WHO WILL
NEVER EXPRESS A MOMENT OF FAITH ALONE IN CHRIST ALONE IN ORDER TO HAVE
ETERNAL LIFE WILL NOT SEE THAT LIFE AND THE ETERNAL WRATH OF GOD REMAINS
ON HIM FROM THE FIRST TIME HE REJECTED BELIEVING IN THE SON
1)
Compare [Jn 3:18]:
MOVE TO JN CHAPTER 4
