Ref: New Interpretation of John 3:16

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Greetings "in the name" of our wondrous eternal Lord and Savior, Jesus
the Christ!

While reading Brother Tyler's list of humorous lines, my attention was
directed to the manner in which he quoted Jesus' words which are found
recorded in John 3:16.  I feel compelled to point out that he has
committed an error in quoting the Word of God, albeit he certainly is
not alone, and I am confident that it was an error which was unwittingly
committed by him, but nevertheless must be addressed.

A careful reading of this important passage will disclose that Jesus did
not assert that "...whosoever believeth on him shall not perish."  His
exact words were "...whosoever believeth in him should not perish."

Now I am well aware that there might be some who would be quick to say
that this is really "no big deal," or that one should not become overly
concerned when another happens to commit a small error such as this when
quoting from the sacred "Oracles of God," however, I feel compelled to
contend that we all must exercise extreme caution in such matters.  Not
only is there is a tremendous difference between the implications
involved in the words "in him" and "on him," but there exists perhaps an
even greater difference between the phrase "should perish" and "shall
perish."

I believe that there exists vast numbers of those within the worldwide
"professing" Christian community today who do truly believe "on" the
Lord Jesus Christ, but of only a very small number could it be said that
they actually believe "in" Him.  As a former member of one of the
"mainline professing" Christian groups, I am painfully aware of the
important inferences which undergird these two words.  While I am now
able to say that I believe "in" Him, for more years than I care to
remember, my relationship with our Lord consisted of only believing "on"
Him.

More than once have I become involved in discussions with some of my
trinitarian friends concerning the implications involved between the
words "should" and "shall."  While the former possesses the possibility
that something, albeit helpful perhaps, could be considered as an
option, the latter leaves no doubt regarding its compulsory nature.
Perhaps there are many actions that one "should" perform, but for one
reason or another they never do them, and will suffer no harm for having
neglected to perform them.  But such is not the case with those actions
in which the commandments of God leave no doubt as to their mandatory
nature.  Surely it is not our Lord's intent that any "should not
perish," yet we do know that there is no such thing as "eternal
security," and this is precisely why one must exercise extreme caution
when quoting the words of John 3:16, and unwittingly "exchanging" the
word "in" and "should,"  for "on" and "shall."

Oh yes!  Let there be no mistaking the fact that everyone who embraces a
belief in the teachings of "eternal security" would be able to find
support for this erroneous belief, "if" our Lord had stated that
"...whosoever believeth on him shall not perish," but He has given them
no such assurance!  All who tenaciously embrace oneness apostolic
pentecostal teachings, should be fully aware that even our own
salvation, in its fullness, is something that is, in a sense, is yet
futuristic, and as such, compels us to strive daily for the purpose of
insuring that our walk with God is in compliance with His commandments.
By continually striving to insure that we do only those things which are
pleasing in His sight, might we rest with the full assurance that He
will honor it in the end.  And if we should ever begin to embrace the
belief that we cannot fall, even though we have "...tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," then
perhaps the time has come that we need to put our faces in the dirt and
beg God for a better understanding of His Word!

I pray that my words have offended no one, for that has not been their
intent.  My only purpose in composing these remarks has been that of
reaching out to my beloved brethren, with the prayerful hope that I
might be enabled to say something which will strengthen and edify them.
Should it be that any who occasions to read these remarks be offended,
in any manner whatsoever, I hereby beg your forgiveness.

Seeing that this is also my initial attempt at communicating via this
forum, I pray that I have done it properly.

Your brother in Christ Jesus, our Lord and Savior!
Donald L. Evans (aka "LaFawn")

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