Thank you Robert for your invitation...

"And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed."

Paul had gone to the Jews first with the gospel, as was expected of him but when the Jews rejected his message, Paul then turned to the Gentiles.

"...and as many - believed, was appointed to eternal life." They heard the message of Paul and believed, thus receiving eternal life by the grace of God, not by keeping the Law and earning salvation by their own efforts but in faith.

You have to believe before you can receive. The word appoint (Tasso) can also mean 'set, established, ordain, determine, addict'

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
(Ephesians 2:8–10 ESV)

The subject is GRACE that is given by God... God has saved you by His grace... because of your faith in Him... you don't receive grace by being good or even righteous... the THIS is referring to what you are not doing, WORKS... the IT is referring to the gift of GRACE that God gives... IT is THE gift of God (not gifts but gift)... and not of works so that you can not say that you deserve grace for being good. Abraham believed God and it was counted to him as righteousness. Abraham receive God's grace not because of what he had done but because he had faith in God. We are all children of Abraham if we believe in God as Abraham had believed.

Romans 5:1-2 (ESV)
1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
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.

Thank you for your prayers but let me leave you with this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLFNXg73nJ0

and this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMGxix1noW0

and this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3foUYixnm3o

God's grace be upon you and yours.

I am sorry Robert but I think that I have said all that I need to say on the John 3:16 verse. I have spoken clearly on the matter and do not need to explain myself any farther. It is after all about salvation and who is doing the saving and by what means we are being saved, not who is being saved.

A person does not need to know Greek to come to a saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. Simply hearing the spoken word is enough. That and knowing our need for a savior. We all from time to time need to look inward to see where we stand with God, confess our short comings and continue on in the faith no matter what comes. I came to Christ without knowing about Calvinism and I can continue in the faith without Calvinism. You look at scripture through the eyes of a Calvinist. I look to understand the scripture as the writer had intended scripture to be understood. I compare scripture with scripture. I read with understanding of the scripture. But best of all, I have a personal relationship with my God and savior, Jesus Christ.

I have enjoyed our conversation Robert. Good day to you.

So, lets do get back to the topic...

By the way, you are both wrong. It is grace that is the free gift of God - not faith. It is faith that got you that free gift of grace. You didn't earn grace else it wouldn't be a gift but because of your faith it was given. As it says -
Ephesians 2:8-9 (NKJV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.

Anyways, you almost got it except that you try to twist the meaning to fit your narrative.

"This is the way (οὕτως) that God loved the world, so that (ἵνα) the believing ones (πᾶς ὁ πιστεύων) wouldn't perish (μὴ ἀπόληται), but instead (ἀλλ᾿) get ever lasting life" (ἔχῃ ζωὴν αἰώνιον.)

"In this way, God loved the world (God being the subject), So that ALL those who believe will not perish but be given eternal life." John 3:16 gives the reason why in John 3:14-15 Jesus must be lifted up on the cross, so that those who believe would not perish and, in John 3:17 is the reason God sent Jesus into the world - not to condemn the world but that the world (that means everyone) through Jesus would be saved. Yes, Jesus died for everyone but, those who do believe in the name of Jesus will not be condemned. Those who do not believe are as good as condemned already because they have rejected Christ for their own evil gain. They are lovers of self. John 3:18-21.

God's love is unconditional whereas, to receive eternal life is conditional on believing in the name of Jesus. Anyone who is a sinner can find salvation in Jesus. So, what does it mean to "believe in the name of Jesus"? To truly believe from the heart the person and the Deity of Christ and His atoning works upon the cross for the salvation of mankind. In other words, you accept Jesus as your personal savior and desire His righteousness.

You Robert, wants the text to say that Jesus died only for certain people. That is not what the text is saying. Christ died for all people - but only those who believe will be given eternal life. The 'others' will be destroyed on the day that God judges the wicked. God is giving us a choice, accept Jesus by faith or perish. Why can't you see that?

How were you saved Robert? Did you not hear the gospel and believe? Was it not that you accepted the sacrifice that Jesus made for your sins by faith? If you are of the mind that God forced you to believe by no choice of your own then, by your own words, I must question your faith in Christ. Sin is a choice made by man. Even Adam, who walked with God, being told not to take from a certain tree, disobeyed God by choice. If God is sovereign over you in every aspects of your life then you are saying that God also forces you to sin. God temps no one yet, He calls everyone to repentance. That to being a choice.

God wants a relationship with man and just as it was in the beginning, so will it be in the end days. God will dwell among His creation. We can enjoy a measure of Gods presents now through faith by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and even if we do sin, God will hold onto us as sons.

I will tell you this Robert. Calvinism does not save because Calvinism is not by faith. I know that you do not agree with me but that matters not. It rest between you and God. For myself, I desire to only know the fullness of Jesus having already accepted His atonement by the very blood that He spilled. To die to self is to be born anew in Christ. This I know, I have eternal life in Jesus.

Well, enough. I am not to convince you otherwise nor can you me. You wanted to know how others felt about the video and their thoughts on John 3:16 - there you have it. You know the gospel, you know what the gospel has to offer. It is up to you to believe. Not to question me but to question yourself.

Good day and I truly hope to remain friends and brothers in Christ. May God's grace follow and keep you.

Robert, you have not responded to my inquiries - in your own words, what does John 3:16 mean to you?

Like you say Robert, "Meaningful exchange of ideas only works if you respond to whats asked". Instead, you want to nick-pick what I had to say. I told you my position on John 3:16, now you tell me yours - from your heart.

I to would love to continue with this conversation but you have fail to offer your opinion of what you believe John 3:16 to be saying. If your opinion counts then lets hear it.
Yes, I know that the New Testament was written in Greek and translated into English. I also have a concordance and I also understand English.

Greek Strong's Number: 3956
Greek Word: πᾶς
Transliteration: pas
Phonetic Pronunciation:pas
Root: including all the forms of declension
Cross Reference: TDNT - 5:886,795
Part of Speech: adj
Vine's Words: All, Every, Everyone, Everything, Whole, Wholly, Wholesome


Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:
all 748
all things 170
every 117
all men 41
whosoever 31
everyone 28
whole 12
all manner of 11
every man 11
no + <G3756> 9
every thing 7
any 7
whatsoever 6
whosoever + <G3739> + <G302> 3
always + <G1223> 3
daily + <G2250> 2
any thing 2
no + <G3361> 2
not tr 7
miscellaneous translations 26
[Total Count: 1243]

including all the forms of declension; apparently a primary word; all, any, every, the whole :- all (manner of, means), alway (-s), any (one), × daily, + ever, every (one, way), as many as, + no (-thing), × thoroughly, whatsoever, whole, whosoever.
Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

Greek Strong's Number: 3779
Greek Word: οὕτω
Transliteration: houtō
Phonetic Pronunciation:hoo'-to

Greek Word: οὕτως
Transliteration: houtōs
Phonetic Pronunciation: hoo'-toce
Root: from <G3778>
Cross Reference:
Part of Speech: adv
Vine's Words: Fashion, Manner, Thus


Usage Notes:

English Words used in KJV:
so 164
thus 17
even so 9
on this wise 6
likewise 4
after this manner 3
miscellaneous translations 10
[Total Count: 213]

or (before a vowel) houtos, hoo'-toce; adverb from <G3778> (houtos); in this way (referring to what precedes or follows) :- after that, after (in) this manner, as, even (so), for all that, like (-wise), no more, on this fashion (-wise), so (in like manner), thus, what.

Strong's Talking Greek & Hebrew Dictionary.

So Robert, to deal directly with the text as you have desire --- God loves everyone! That is what the "Whosoever" means. Everyone. God wants everyone to be save. You and me and the guy down the street. It is about God's offer of salvation and the forgiveness of sin. It is not about what Augustine or John Calvin believes but what you believe in your heart that Christ gave His life of His own free will as a sacrifice for your debt. Believe in Him of your own free will and by the grace of God you are free from your debt. Otherwise, of your own free will, you perish. And is John 3:16. Jesus saves - not John Calvin.

Hope we can still be friends.

I had ask that you tell me what you say John 3:16 means to you in your own words (in English please). Tell me this also... when did you become 'saved', before or after you had heard the gospel? What must one do to be saved? How do you know that you are saved?

It is all about salvation and how Jesus gave Himself as a ransom to save us. We must believe from the heart that Jesus not only died to redeem us to God but that God also resurrected Jesus from the dead. The believing is left up to us (you and me, the believer in Christ). God can not believe for us... our faith in God must come from within, then comes God's grace for us.

Our God is a mighty God, a sovereign God. Do you think that it weakens Him to give man 'free will' to chose? Dose it make Him any less of a God? If a man chooses to sin against (reject) God, can he not chose to love God? I did not force my wife to marry me or twist her arm to love me. If we were to live together as man and wife then she must chose to do so. How can two walk together unless they agree? Joshua said, "chose this day whom you will serve... as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:14-15. By Joshua's own free will, he choose to follow God. Joshua's hope was in God, his faith served him well. When we truly love God from the heart, only then can we worship our creator. God does not force Himself upon us. We must come to Him with a broken spirit and a repentant heart. This is our sacrifice of 'self' to God. God, by His sovereign power and wisdom gave man free will to chose and by doing so, shows Himself to be a just and merciful God. While we were still in our sins He gave His Son for us because He loves us, that if we would only believe in Him who died for us, we would not perish but have eternal life with Him. Why is that so hard to understand? You don't need to know Greek to believe.

Well, Robert, I watched the video and I know who James White is. I also know and understand John 3:16.

I will tell you what I know John 3:16 to mean but I will also like to know what you, in your own words John 3:16 to mean.

Here it is in context;

John 3:14-18 (KJV)
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 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.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

God loved mankind. He loved everyone, even while we were yet sinners He loved us. God loved us so much that He wanted to redeem us from our sins so He send (predestined) Jesus to die for us. That would mean Jesus died for everyone - EVERYONE!
Now, of course that does not mean that everyone would accept God's offer of free grace but for those who truly believe and truly trust in Jesus, will have eternal life because it is God's desire that He draw all -ALL - people to Him through His Son Jesus. No! Not ALL will accept or have saving faith to believe.

It is man's choice to sin as it is man's choice to repent by turning to God. We are saved by grace. It is a gift from God for those who believe. If we are predestined to be saved then it is no longer by grace. If we are predestined for hell, then where is the love of God and His grace?

God did not pick and choose who would come out of Egypt. He took everyone out of Egypt but for those who did not put their trust and their faith in God, they died in the desert because of their unbelief. "as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness..." was a fore shadow of Jesus on the cross. Whosoever... looks to Jesus will be saved. That is what John 3:16 is saying.

The NRA does not oppose all gun laws. They, we, oppose senseless gun laws that restrict the rights and the freedoms of law abiding citizens. We already know that it is against the law to k**l someone with a gun... it has not stopped anyone from k*****g with a gun. Making new laws will not stop people from k*****g others with guns... Don't you see the folly of it all? It is against the law to k**l someone with a knife. There are no restrictions against carrying knives with the exception of the length of concealed knife.

As for the insane, some if not most are not that obvious. Even the sane can snap in an instant. Even the insane, other than the ownership of guns have rights just as other citizens.

I began by disrespecting you intentionally because you disrespect others. Your attitude against those law abiding citizens who do abide by the law with disregard of those who break the law, then you attribute it to a political party only goes to show that you do not know what you are talking about.

You can take that golden turd and eat it!

How stupid can you be? No where's in the United States is it required to have a concealed carry permit... criminals do it every day in every state of the union.... ask them if they have a permit! And police wear bullet proof vest ever day in every state of the union. Even those law abiding citizens who legally carry concealed do not carry a sign saying that they are concealed carrying a gun. In other words, there is no way of telling who is carrying a concealed weapon... a permit is useless, stupid!

"No where's in the United States is it required to have a concealed carry permit." Have you figured out that one, STUPID!

But if he did... there would be two, many three jumping in to deny the grass is green or the sky is blue and stars do not exist - without proof of their own. Just their usual insults.

Do they even read what Rac Post?

Point taken...

A good example of a low intelligent reply by someone not knowing what they are talking about. Good going there silver. You are trying.