The Rest of the Story

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

"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 

Many people use this verse as their doctrine for salvation. They say, ‘If you believe in Jesus, you will not perish but have everlasting life. Simply believe.’

What a lot of people do not realize is, Jesus is speaking here to Nicodemus. Jesus had already told Nicodemus “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). 

Just a few verses before John 3:16 Jesus further told Nicodemus "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 

We are born of water when we are baptized with water in the name of Jesus. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with His Spirit.

Jesus said we need to BELIEVE the gospel AND OBEY the gospel by baptism to be saved. 

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:16 

On the Day of Pentecost when the church began, Peter preached the gospel, then how to obey the gospel by being  born of water and of the Spirit. 

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24 

"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?" - Acts 2:37 

"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." - Acts 2:38 

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:41-42