Jesus opened the understanding of His disciples, that they might understand the scriptures...

"And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:46-47

At Jerusalem, Peter spoke to the people...

"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

Paul spoke to the church at Corinth...

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11

"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" - 1 Corinthians 1:13

The angel of the Lord spoke to Joseph in a dream saying...

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21

Peter spoke to the rulers of the people, and elders of Israel of the name of Jesus....

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12

Ananias said to Saul, who became known as Paul...

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16

*chart from "Exploring God’s Word"

The rest of the story… of Romans 10

Some say that water and Spirit baptism is not a necessary part of salvation. They pull verses out of context, not giving the full story. They say, All you need to do to be saved is to confess and believe in Jesus. According to the gospel, baptism is necessary to be saved. Here are the verses they use, and then the verses that they leave out, so you can see the rest of the story.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:9-13

The problem is, these people leave off the REST of the story. The rest of the story tells us in order to be saved we need to hear the gospel from a preacher that is sent by God AND we need to OBEY the gospel.

Here is the REST of the story, continuing with verse 14:

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?" - Romans 10:14

According to this verse, in order to call on the name of Jesus, in order to believe on Jesus, in order to hear the gospel of Jesus, we need a preacher. And not just any preacher, we need a preacher that is sent by God. The next verse…

"And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!" - Romans 10:15

What will they be preaching?

They will be preaching “the gospel of peace.”

What is the gospel of peace?

The gospel of peace is that our heavenly Father put on the flesh of a human body to die for our sins, He was buried, and He rose from the dead on the third day. By His death, burial, and resurrection He made PEACE between mankind and Himself. He paid the death penalty for our sins that separated us from Him since Adam. When we apply the blood He shed for us by being baptized in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, we personally have claimed this peace. (1Corinthians 15:1-4)

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" - Colossians 1:20-23

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:28

After we have heard the gospel, the next verse, Romans 10:16, lets us know that to be saved we need to not only believe, but also to OBEY the gospel.

"But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?" - Romans 10:16

How do we OBEY the gospel - the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus?

We crucify our sinful nature by repentance becoming dead to sin, we are buried with Jesus by baptism in a watery grave in Jesus name for the remission of our sins, and we are resurrected by receiving His Holy Ghost to live a new, holy life. (Romans 6:1-13)

Peter preached the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ - on the Day of Pentecost. Peter then preached how to obey the gospel – repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

"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 2:38-39 KJV

And now you know the rest of the story.

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?" - 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

"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 2:39

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 where He told him, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

"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." - John 3:1-2

"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." - John 3:3

"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?" - John 3:4

"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." - John 3:5-8

"Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?" - John 3:9

"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 3:10-16

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.

It takes repentance, baptism in Jesus name for the washing away of your sins, and the infilling of the Spirit. This is how you obey the gospel – this is how you 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 this 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

While John the Baptist’s baptism is the baptism of repentance and preparation for the coming Messiah, the baptism of Jesus is a blood covenant. It was God, clothing Himself with a human body so that He could shed blood, that made peace between us and Himself.

"Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant ["and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood"], make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." - Hebrews 13:20-21 KJV

Like John’s baptism, repentance is the requirement before baptism in Jesus name. Repentance is being sorrowful for our sinful life and a turning away from sin to living for God. It is a change of mind.

The baptism of Jesus, however, goes beyond repentance. By water baptism in Jesus name, which is God's saving name, we enter into His new covenant. By Jesus name baptism, the blood of Jesus is applied to our life. ("Testament" is another word for covenant.)

"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV

"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?" - Romans 6:3 KJV

"Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." - Romans 6:4 KJV

"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul." -Leviticus 17:11 KJV

"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV

"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 KJV

John the Baptist’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. John the Baptist did not baptize in the name of Jesus.

In the book of Acts, which describes the beginning of the church with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost and the spread of the gospel, Apostle Paul re-baptized disciples of John the Baptist.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?

“And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19:1-6 KJV

If you aren’t baptized in Jesus name, you need to be re-baptized, just as they were in the Bible! (Acts 2:38)

The Bible teaches that a person is saved when they not only believe, but when they take action on that belief. (Mark 16:16)

According to the Bible, it is necessary to repent, to be baptized in Jesus name, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost to be saved. These actions are what take place when a person truly believes! (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-13, Acts 2:38, 2Thessalonians 1:8, 1Peter 4:17, 1Corinthians 6:9-11, John 3:5, Romans 8:6-9)

Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, then answered the people’s question, "…Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37

The people had heard Peter preach that Jesus is the promised Messiah. He preached Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. The people at this point believed the gospel message. Yet, they were not saved. They asked the essential question that a person that believes the gospel should and does ask, “What shall we DO?”

"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

Peter then answered the people’s question. Peter told them what they needed to do since they believed.

"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 2:38-39

THEN Peter said, “SAVE YOURSELVES.”

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40

Here is the important response of the people: THEY WERE BAPTIZED.

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41

True believing results in action which brings salvation.

The people heard the gospel, they believed the gospel, but then they needed to respond with the action of baptism in order to be saved. They then OBEYED the gospel.

Notice, it was those that were baptized that were added to those that had already been baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost that were in the upper room. It was because of their obedience to the gospel, they were then counted as those that “BELIEVED.”

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common;" - Acts 2:42-44

"… And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:47

When I have repented, been baptized in Jesus name and filled with His Spirit (Acts 2:38), I have become a member of the body of Christ. By repentance and baptism in Jesus name, I have made peace with God. (Colossians 1:19-23, Ephesians 4:32, Hebrews 12:14-15)

It is important that I come together with the other members of His body to hear the preaching of the word, as well as teaching and counsel. When I come together with the rest of the body, it is a time to also sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with a thankful heart!

"And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord." - Colossians 3:15-16 KJV