To fully understand biblical teachings we must not only put the verses in the proper context but we must also search out the various teachings on the same topic and combine them together to get a complete understanding; the same topic is frequently discussed in several different locations which necessitates this action.Picking out only one verse and basing an understanding on that is like the blind man who rubbed the tusks of an elephant and thought he had run into a very thin animal living inside a shell.This search for all relevant verses of course becomes crucial when we try to determine how we can obtain salvation.

Most certainly John 3:16 is the most widely quoted verse in the Bible.But read it carefully,it is not as it is usually advertised,a free ticket for even the weakest and lukewarm of Christians.One of the initial problems with selecting this verse as the basis for ones hope for salvation is that it is modified by verses three through seven in the same chapter which for some mysterious reason,most Christians just skip over in their nonspiritual rush to reach verse sixteen.So now is the time to slow down to read the preceding verses to see how they add to the understanding of verse sixteen.

John 3:3-7 (King James Version)

3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

4Nicodemus 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?

5Jesus 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.

6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.


Ok now we can more intelligently look at verse sixteen.

John 3:16 (King James Version)

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

See the catch? The word "believeth".If we believe in Jesus then we must believe ALL of His teachings,especially the absolutely necessary instructions about the two (yes 2) required baptisms discussed in verses three through seven.If we choose not to trust and believe completely in the teachings of Jesus, then of necessity we will have to assume that sometimes he lied and deliberately deceived His people.Suddenly salvation begins to look much more difficult doesn't it,especially when we read some of Jesus' socially unacceptable teachings.

MATTHEW 19:24 (King James Version)

24And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.


And the one that used to be faithfully followed but now has become extremely popular to violate in today's society:

Mark 10:11-12 (King James Version)

11And he saith unto them, Whosoever shall put away his wife, and marry another, committeth adultery against her.

12And if a woman shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.


Guess this Christianity thing takes a lot of dedication to God doesn't it?

John 3:16