When “3:16” is mentioned as a Bible verse, most of us think of John 3:16. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That verse contains a powerful message to be sure. But the New Testament has many other “3:16” verses that are also powerful. These speak of significant blessings or stern warnings.
In fact, only a few books of the New Testament Bible are without a strong “3:16” verse. Romans for one. Titus, Chapter 3 is too short to have a 16th verse as is 1st Thessalonians. The Book of Philemon has only one chapter and 2nd John, 3rd John and Jude are all so brief they don't have a third chapter or verse sixteen.
But let's explore the other New Testament books with a “3:16” verse and neighboring verses that are significant.
Matthew 3:16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him.
Jesus was Baptized and some say “ordained” in public by God at that very moment. Jesus was following and fulfilling the law of Moses. When God saw this Baptism, a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” Now Mohammad, on the other hand, had his vision of grandeur alone and isolated away in a dark cave, where he claimed sanctification by an angel speaking for God. Even if we grant that an angel may have spoken there, was this a 'Good Angel' or just an evil manifestation of an angel by a demon? Remember, one-third of the angels chose to follow Satan and became evil spirits. Satan likes to do things in dark isolation. Satan has been granted dominion over the earth and allowed to roam like a lion until the second coming of Jesus.
Mark 3:16 Here Jesus starts to name his disciples by saying: “These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter).” Which Mark completes in the next couple of verses. James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Luke 3:16 John (the Baptist) answered them all, “I baptize you with water. But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. Here we have John explaining his baptism and the One who truly Baptizes with the Holy Spirit and fire.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. And the next few verses go on to explain the blessings and the warning: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
Acts 3:16 “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” Peter was referring to the crippled beggar Peter, himself, took by the hand and instantly the beggar's feet and ankles became strong. Here we have proof of a miracle accomplished by an Apostle in the Name of Jesus. For in the preceding Verses 3:6-10 Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. When all the people saw him walking and praising God, they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.
1st Corinthians 3:16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? Then the next verse provides another warning. “If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
2nd Corinthians 3:16 But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Galatians 3:16 The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ. What is meant is this: The law, introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously established by God and thus do away with the promise. For if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on the promise; but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise.
Ephesians 3:16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, The following verses explain in greater detail. “ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”
Philippians 3:16 Paul says, “Only let us live up to what we have already attained.” The following verses explain in greater detail. Verses 17-21, Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do. For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
Colossians 3:16 Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And again, read the following verse states, “And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
2nd Thessalonians 3:16 Reflects the final greetings of Paul. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. Verse 17 adds, “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters. This is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.”
1st Timothy 3:16 Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great: He appeared in the flesh, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.
2nd Timothy 3:16 Paul's final charge to Timothy; “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
Hebrews 3:16 Plus a few of the following verses. “Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.”
James 3:16 Plus the following verses: “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.”
1st Peter 3:16 Here verse “3:16” needs the lead in of verse fifteen for clarification, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, (16) keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”
2nd Peter 3:16 Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. At verse 3:16, He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Verse 17 adds, “Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.”
1st John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
The New Testament verses of “3:16” and there bouts certainly don't have any magical significance. However, as you heard, they have very important meanings. What else could be added or emphasized that a Christian might need to strengthen their own resolve to be an inspired Disciple of Jesus?
Now, as I said before a few books of the Bible don't have a “3:16” verse. But we will soon get to the main point of this lesson. I say there is one more important “3:16” verse with weighty words of wisdom. Moreover a very stern warning of very serious consequences. Any guesses?
First a little Background The Apostle John authored the Book of Revelation to reveal his visions. He wrote this book when he was in his very early 90s as a prisoner of Rome on the remote desert penal colony of Patmos, an island in the Aegean Sea. The Patmos Penal colony was home to many prisoners based on their political and religious views. Slaves of all races and colors were impounded there as well.
There is no sure answer as to when John died because the Bible does not provide details of John's death. Information regarding his last years comes from secular authors and traditional accounts. The Book of Martyrs says that the Apostle John, as punishment for being a believer in Christ, was thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil. Yet he lived. As if the boiling oil was not enough, the Emperor Domitian banished John to the island prison. It was during his time, likely around 92 A.D., that John wrote the book of Revelation. Later released from imprisonment by Emperor Nerva, Apostle John seems to have been the only one of Jesus' original twelve to escape a violent death.
In Revelation, John informs us of the measure and mettle of the seven churches:
(1) Ephesus (Rev. 2:1-7) – A backsliding church, forsaking its purpose
(2) Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11) – Steadfast even in persecution
(3) Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17) – Non-repenting, false doctrine, and teachings
(4) Thyatira (Rev. 2:-29) – A Pagan church with a false priestess
(5) Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6) – A Spiritless, dead church that had fallen asleep.
Yet, individuals would be saved from the Sardis Church.
(6) Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13) – Exemplary, Filled with God's Word & love
(7) Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) – A Self-indulgent, lukewarm faith
So only two of the Churches could be categorized “Godly!”
Revelation 3:16 In speaking to the Church of Laodicea we read: “So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Verses 17-20 continues. “You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.”
If there was, or will be, such as harsh judgment on Churches, how do you feel we should be measured if we are guilty of the warnings of Revelation 3:16?
Folks, my obvious conclusion is that the Revelation “3:16” verse is one of the sternest warnings we can read in the New Testament.
If you are a Christian, for the love of God, don't risk being “LUKEWARM” like the Laodicea Church.
Don't risk being spit out of God's mouth.
Be a Christian that makes a strong effort to help spread God's Word and help bring the fallen back to Christ Jesus. Amen!
