What About John 3:16?

What is the rest of the story of John 3:16? 

A very popular verse used by many as their doctrine of salvation is John 3:16. It reads,

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16  

People have used this verse as another gospel, which is not another, but there are some that would pervert the gospel of Christ. (Galatians 1:6-10) 

The gospel of Christ – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - was preached by Peter on the Day of Pentecost.  

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.  

“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:37-39  

This message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost was a fulfillment of what Jesus told Nicodemus. To enter the kingdom of God, we must be born of water and of the Spirit. We are born of water when we are water baptized in Jesus name. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with the Spirit. (Acts 2:38) 

The following is the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus when He told him, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” It is John 3:1-16: 

"There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.  

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.  

“Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?  

“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.  

“Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?  

“Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.  

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.  

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:1-16  

YES, JOHN 3:16 IS PART OF THE SAME CONVERSATION JESUS HAD WITH NICODEMUS – THE CONVERSATION IN WHICH JESUS SAID, EXCEPT A MAN BE BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT, HE CANNOT ENTER INTO THE KINGDOM OF GOD. 

Although people would have you to think all you need to do is believe in Jesus and you are saved, the Bible says there needs to be action in response to your belief.  

Jesus said we MUST be born again of water and of the Spirit. It takes repentance, baptism in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and the baptism of His Spirit. This is how we obey the gospel – this is how we are born of water and of the Spirit – and this is what it takes to be saved. (John 3:5, Romans 10:16, 1 Peter 4:17-18, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Acts 2:38) 

Now you know the rest of the story of John 3:16. 

What does the Bible say Jesus was doing after it tells of His conversation with Nicodemus? 

"After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judaea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized." - John 3:22