John chapter 3 salvation teaching and study

            I am again featuring chapter 3 of the gospel of John because the discussion with Jesus and Nicodemus about being born again and that God sent Jesus, His only Son, because He loved the world so much that some might be saved, as well as the remarks of John the Baptist on Jesus at the end of the chapter. I am also taking the liberty to make it a study by including other parts of other chapters of John where Jesus is speaking of salvation related things.

Here is John chapter 3

(John 3:1)  Now there was a man of the Pharisees whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

(John 3:2)  This man came to Him by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."

(John 3:3)  Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

(John 3:4)  Nicodemus said to Him, "How can a man be born, being old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"

(John 3:5)  Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless someone is born of water and of Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

(John 3:6)  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

(John 3:7)  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'

(John 3:8)  "The wind blows where it wills, and you hear its sound, but you do not know from where it comes and where it goes. So is everyone who has been born of the Spirit."

(John 3:9)  Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"

(John 3:10)  Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel, and do not know these things?

(John 3:11)  Most assuredly I say to you, that which We know, We speak, and that which We have seen, We bear witness to, and you do not receive Our witness.

(John 3:12)  If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things?

(John 3:13)  And no one has gone up into heaven except He who came down out of heaven, the Son of Man, who is in heaven.

(John 3:14)  And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

(John 3:15)  that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:16)  For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

(John 3:17)  For God did not send His Son into the world so that He might condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

(John 3:18)  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe has been condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

(John 3:19)  And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved the darkness more than the light, because their works were evil.

(John 3:20)  For everyone that does evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works be exposed.

(John 3:21)  But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his works may be revealed, that they have been done in God."

(John 3:22)  After these things Jesus, along with His disciples, came into the land of Judea, and there He was stayed with them and He was baptizing.

(John 3:23)  Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salem, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.

(John 3:24)  For John was not yet cast into prison.

(John 3:25)  Then there came to be a dispute between John's disciples and a Jew about purification.

(John 3:26)  And they came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, He who was with you beyond the Jordan, to whom you have testified--behold, this Man is baptizing, and all men are coming to Him!"

(John 3:27)  John answered and said, "A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from heaven.

(John 3:28)  You yourselves bear witness that I said, 'I am not the Christ,' but, 'I have been sent before Him.'

(John 3:29)  "He who has the bride is the bridegroom; but the friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly because of the voice of the bridegroom. Therefore my joy has been fulfilled.

(John 3:30)  He must increase, but I must decrease.

(John 3:31)  He who comes from above is above all; he who is from the earth is earthly and speaks of the earth. He who comes from heaven is above all.

(John 3:32)  And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony.

(John 3:33)  He who receives His testimony has certified that God is true.

(John 3:34)  For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.

(John 3:35)  The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.

(John 3:36)  He who believes in the Son has eternal life; and he who does not believe the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."

These verses in John chapter 5 further drive home the point of Jesus having life for His believers

(John 5:19)  Then Jesus answered and said to them, "Most assuredly I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father doing; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

(John 5:20)  For the Father loves the Son, and shows to Him all things which He Himself does; and greater works than these He will show Him, so that you may marvel.

(John 5:21)  For as the Father raises up the dead and gives life, thus also the Son gives life to whom He wills.

(John 5:22)  For the Father judges no one, but He has given all judgment to the Son,

(John 5:23)  so that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

(John 5:24)  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

(John 5:25)  "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

(John 5:26)  For just as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself,

(John 5:27)  and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man.

(John 5:28)  Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming in which all those in the tombs will hear His voice

(John 5:29)  and shall come forth--those who have done good, to a resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to a resurrection of condemnation

And it does indeed say yet in another spot in scripture-Romans 10 verse 13 that those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved

In these verses in John chapter 6 Jesus again speaks of the need to come to Him for eternal life for He is the bread of life

(John 6:35)  Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

(John 6:36)  But I said to you that you have seen me and yet do not believe.

(John 6:37)  All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

(John 6:38)  For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.

(John 6:39)  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day.

(John 6:40)  For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day."

Yet again in John 6  Jesus  speaks of eternal life, He being the key, promising people to live forever and that He, Jesus, will raise them up on the last day

(John 6:43)  Jesus answered them, "Do not grumble among yourselves.

(John 6:44)  No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.

(John 6:45)  It is written in the Prophets, 'And they will all be taught by God.' Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to me--

(John 6:46)  not that anyone has seen the Father except he who is from God; he has seen the Father.

(John 6:47)  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life.

(John 6:48)  I am the bread of life.

(John 6:49)  Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died.

(John 6:50)  This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die.

(John 6:51)  I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh."

(John 6:52)  The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, "How can this man give us his flesh to eat?"

(John 6:53)  So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you.

(John 6:54)  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.

(John 6:55)  For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink.

(John 6:56)  Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him.

(John 6:57)  As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever feeds on me, he also will live because of me.

(John 6:58)  This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever."

Here is a message from Jesus saying those who don’t lift Him up will die in their sins(He did die for our sins) which is true today and that The Father taught Him all He can set them free people from anything.

(John 8:24)  Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I AM, you will die in your sins."

(John 8:25)  Then they said to Him, "Who are You?" And Jesus said to them, "Just what I have been saying to you from the beginning.

(John 8:26)  I have many things to say and to judge concerning you, but He who sent Me is true; and the things which I heard from Him, these things I say to the world."

(John 8:27)  They did not know that He was speaking to them about the Father.

(John 8:28)  Therefore Jesus said to them, "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will know that I AM, and from Myself I do nothing; but just as My Father taught Me, these things I speak.

(John 8:29)  And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, because I always do the things pleasing to Him."

(John 8:30)  While He spoke these words, many believed in Him.

(John 8:31)  Then Jesus said to those Jews who had believed Him, "If you abide in My word, truly you are My disciples.

(John 8:32)  And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free."

(John 8:33)  They answered Him, "We are Abraham's descendants, and have never been in bondage to anyone. How can you say, 'You will become free'?"

(John 8:34)  Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly I say to you, that everyone that practices sin is a slave of sin.

(John 8:35)  And a slave does not remain in the house forever, but a son remains forever.

(John 8:36)  Therefore if the Son sets you free, you will be truly free.

Here are two separate passages in John chapter 10 which illustrate Jesus’ real purpose to come here. The first of the two is one where Jesus says He is the door of the sheep and the shepherd of the sheep which they enter in and out into the sheepfold, and that He will lay down His life for His sheep, having been given the authority by the Father in Heaven.

(John 10:7)  So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.

(John 10:8)  All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them.

(John 10:9)  I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture.

(John 10:10)  The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

(John 10:11)  I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

(John 10:12)  He who is a hired hand and not a shepherd, who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees, and the wolf snatches them and scatters them.

(John 10:13)  He flees because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

(John 10:14)  I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me,

(John 10:15)  just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I lay down my life for the sheep.

(John 10:16)  And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

(John 10:17)  For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again.

(John 10:18)  No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. This charge I have received from my Father."

In the second passage Jesus promises His sheep eternal life, that none shall pluck them out of the Father’s and that Jesus and the Father are one and the same.

(John 10:24)  So the Jews gathered around him and said to him, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly."

(John 10:25)  Jesus answered them, "I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father's name bear witness about me,

(John 10:26)  but you do not believe because you are not part of my flock.

(John 10:27)  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.

(Joh 10:28)  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

(John 10:29)  My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.

(John 10:30)  I and the Father are one."

Here Jesus says that He is the resurrection and the life and will raise people- said to Martha in this passage of John chapter 11

(John 11:20)  Then Martha, when she heard that Jesus was coming, met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house.

(John 11:21)  Then Martha said to Jesus, "Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.

(John 11:22)  But even now I know that whatever You may ask of God, God will give You."

(John 11:23)  Jesus said to her, "Your brother will rise again."

(John 11:24)  Martha said to Him, "I know that he will rise again in the resurrection in the last day."

(John 11:25)  Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He that believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.

(John 11:26)  And everyone who lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?"

(John 11:27)  She said to Him, "Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world."

The following verses state how mankind is fallen and all of mankind indeed does wrong but that is why out of love God sent Jesus into the world to be the offering for sin as

(Romans 3:10)  as it is written: "None is righteous, no, not one;

(Romans 3:11)  no one understands; no one seeks for God.

(Romans 3:12)  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 3:24)  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

(Romans 3:25)  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

(Romans 3:26)  It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus

The last four verses in Romans 6 further add to the point of our need of a savior to avoid the wages of sin and how Jesus did that for us

(Romans 6:20)  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

(Romans 6:21)  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

(Romans 6:22)  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans chapter 5 states that Jesus died for us while we were weak and that as sin came through one man righteousness came from one man’s obedience- Jesus to death so that the gift of God can be given- this is verses 6 through 11

(Romans 5:6)  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

(Romans 5:7)  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--

(Romans 5:8)  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:9)  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

(Romans 5:10)  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

(Romans 5:11)  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation

As some of the above verses do remind us, this verse really drives home the point that eternal life from heaven is really a gift from God and cannot be earned in any way by our own works  so God Himself has provided the means to escape hell and to have eternal life with Him.

(Ephesians 2:8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

(Ephesians 2:9)  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(2 Corinthians 9:15)  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

The scriptures in 1 Timothy which encourage prayer and supplication for God wants all people to be saved as stated in these verses

(1 Timothy 2:1)  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

(1 Timothy 2:2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

(1 Timothy 2:3)  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

(1 Timothy 2:4)  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

(1 Timothy 2:6)  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

The verses in Titus also stress and reinforce the message in Timothy, above, on salvation

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

(Titus 2:12)  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

(Titus 2:13)  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

(Titus 2:14)  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

(Titus 2:15)  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

These two verses in 1 Peter shed more light on this purpose of Jesus

(1 Peter 2:24)  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

(1 Peter 2:25)  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

That message also is here in this 1 Peter 3 verse

(1 Peter 3:18)  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit

And so does these two verses in 2 Peter 3 for time is nothing to the Lord and He wants all to come to repentance and is patient

(2 Peter 3:8)  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

These two verses in 1 John 2 also state how Jesus was the propitiation for our sins and all mankind’s

(1 John 2:1)  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

(1 John 2:2)  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Also a very similar message is given in these two verses in 1 John chapter 4 how God loved us and sent Jesus to be a propitiation for our sins

(1 John 4:9)  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

(1 John 4:10)  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

And here is this passage in 1 John 5 which reinforces the 1 Timothy passage well, stating the power of prayer but also the gospel message of how it is necessary to have the Son of God to have eternal life.

(1 John 5:5)  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

(1 John 5:6)  This is he who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

(1 John 5:7)  For there are three that testify:

(1 John 5:8)  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

(1 John 5:9)  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

(1 John 5:10)  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

(1 John 5:11)  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

(1 John 5:12)  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

(1 John 5:13)  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

In John 14 Jesus then makes it very clear that nobody can come to God but by Him

(John 14:6)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

But Jesus also makes it clear in Revelation that He indeed is seeking people always

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The verses in Romans ten state how we are to be saved, believing the word which is near to us, to hear it then confess Jesus as Lord and believe God has raised Him from the dead- in that is our key to salvation

(Romans 10:8)  But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

(Romans 10:9)  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

(Romans 10:11)  For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

(Romans 10:13)  For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:14)  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

(Romans 10:15)  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

(Romans 10:16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

(Romans 10:17)  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Now those people are now a new creation in Christ

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

And also at peace with God being justified by faith through Jesus

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 5:2)  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

These two verses promise no condemnation anymore with those who are in Jesus because they are set free

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death

Then it also asks if God is for us then who or what can be against us, in these verses towards the end of Romans chapter 8

(Romans 8:31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:32)  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

(Romans 8:33)  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

(Romans 8:34)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(Romans 8:35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

(Romans 8:36)  As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

(Romans 8:37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

And nothing can now separate us from the love of God in Jesus, either

(Romans 8:38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

(Romans 8:39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am sure you have now seen enough now to be ready to pray to be saved. I am now including a short prayer that you can say to ensure that you are saved and have eternal life when you die, going to heaven to be with Jesus forever and not end up going to hell with anyone who does not believe in Jesus.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours