3:16 bible question?

Question

Ever since I could remember the number 316 was always in my life. I would wake up at 316 every morning. My credit card has 2 316s in it. My dorm room was 316. My change is always 3.16. My flights are 316. My concert ticket is row 3, seat 16. etc. etc. To the point where it started freaking me out. I know 3:16 is a reference to part of the bible. I wasnt given a lot of direction with religion growing up, (my parent's are catholic, but don't practice - and didn't encourage us to learn about religions - I wish they did) so I'm hoping someone can tell me a little about 3:16 and what it could possibly mean to me.

Answer 1

Joh 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life.

Answer 2

If you're looking for connections in random things, you're going to find them.

But here's a suggestion, since you seem to think it's a religious reference. if you're truly curious about the "316", go to Biblegateway dot com (the link below will take you to the page for the Douay-Rheims Bible, since you said you are Catholic, though certainly you could do this exercise with any other translation; just click on "available versions" and pick one).

Scroll down until you see the "Bible book list". There's a link for every chapter of every book. So for each book that has a third chapter -- and most do -- click on that chapter link, and then read the 16th verse when the chapter comes up.

You'll find the one people are telling you about, John 3:16, which is the Gospel in short. But there's also 2 Timothy 3:16 which is another verse often quoted.

For the handful of books with 31 or more chapters, of course, you'll want to also check out verse 6 for completeness' sake.

The thing is, while people can guess, no one can really tell you what this recurrence of numbers is supposed to mean to you (if anything). But it's getting your attention, and since you believe it has a religious connection the answer is best sought by you, yourself.

Answer 3

If it means John 3:16, it's one of the most used verses in the Bible. What many Christians do with it is assume that the word 'world' in the verse means the English definition of the world. It does not necessarily mean that, and it would not be proper to use it in that context.

I described this before on my 360 blog. Christians are failing to use their concordances, the rest of the Bible, and are using poor teachers to explain what John 3:16 means.

Here is John 3:16
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."

Here is the word for 'world':
Strong's Number: 2889
Kosmos
Noun Masculine
Definition

1. an apt and harmonious arrangement or constitution, order, government
2. ornament, decoration, adornment, i.e. the arrangement of the stars, 'the heavenly hosts', as the ornament of the heavens. 1 Pet. 3:
3. the world, the universe
4. the circle of the earth, the earth
5. the inhabitants of the earth, men, the human family
6. the ungodly multitude; the whole mass of men alienated from God, and therefore hostile to the cause of Christ
7. world affairs, the aggregate of things earthly
1. the whole circle of earthly goods, endowments riches, advantages, pleasures, etc, which although hollow and frail and fleeting, stir desire, seduce from God and are obstacles to the cause of Christ
8. any aggregate or general collection of particulars of any sort
1. the Gentiles as contrasted to the Jews (Rom. 11:12 etc)
2. of believers only, John 1:29; 3:16; 3:17; 6:33; 12:47 1 Cor. 4:9; 2 Cor. 5:19

Note that last line.

Of believers only. God knows us before we are born. We are His 'elect'. He already knew who would respond to Him and keep in faith with Him.

Answer 4

Actually, when Tiny Tim was allowed to have a bible verse on the glare makeup under his eyes, the verse was NOT John 3:16. So your purely coincidental "proof" fails as badly as the Steelers defense did today. btw, you get 3 points for a field goal in US football. Is that conclusive proof that the "trinity" exists? Blessings on your Journey!

Answer 5

John 3:16. It is more about your personal relationship with God and less about church. Church is important but many who call themselves Christians are not born again and do not have a relationship with Jesus the Son of God. It is about seeking that relationship with Jesus by recognizing that He died for our sins and accepting Him as you Lord and Savior and confessing to Him your sin's and asking Him into your Heart. Once you have done this He will send the Holy Spirit into your life to help Guide your path. Read your Bible and Pray every day because that is time spent with Jesus and it is the best time of the day. Know that He loves you and wants you to seek Him. May God add His blessings to these words.

Answer 6

you need to be baptize may be
because
Luke 3:16
16John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire.
read also 1Ti3:16
Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great:
He appeared in a body,
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.
Also John 17:15-16
5My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.

Answer 7

John 3:16 is fire and brimstone reasoning.

I have always been an atheist. OK, that is not completely true. I am not an atheist. I am not a believer. I am not an agnostic. I am none of these because the answer to god's existence is unimportant.

People ask what would convince me that god truly exists. While I am not sure, I am certainly open to any tangible evidence. I do not know what evidence would convince me because I believe it is impossible to prove the existence of god. What evidence would convince you that god does not exist? See the conumdrum: it is difficult to answer their question! See falsifiability (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Falsifiability ) for an explanation of theory and the rules of evidence.

Do not quote bible passages as evidence of god's existence. This is my standard of proof, not yours. However, if proof were proffered that convinced me god exists, I would change absolutely nothing in my life or my behavior. The existence or not of god does not matter. Like many humans I live a purposeful life and god does not add more purpose.

What if evidence were produced that convinced you god does not exist with certainty (evidence according to your standards of proof)? What would you change in your life?

- Would you stop evangelizing?
- Would you start sinning more?
- Would you stop helping those less fortunate than you?
- Would you feel that life is meaningless?

Let us examine one area Christians think about atheists. Christians seem to think non-believers hope that their good deeds will get them into heaven, should heaven really exist. The Torah (Old Testament) has a word for this: mitzvah (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mitzvah ). Many atheists such as myself perform mitzvahs not for the sake of getting an admission ticket into heaven, but because performing good deeds and helping those in need is the right thing to do. In other words, these are selfless acts.

Christians sometimes proffer Pascal’s Wager (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pascal%27s_wager ) suggesting to non-believers that they should accept Jesus (John 3:16) as some sort of insurance policy against hell, just in case it turns out god really exists. The fallacy with this line of reasoning is that faith in god for some reward or to avoid punishment is not faith at all. It is a selfish act to receive something in return for a belief. The point of religious belief so that one becomes a better person, not to receive a reward or please a spiritual being.

Even the Torah addresses sacrifices or any other act in an effort to please god as displeasing god.

So why do you believe in god? If it is to enter heaven, that is very selfish. If god, heaven, and hell do not exist, would you still perform mitzvahs and follow the Golden Rule or would you say what is the point? Mitzvahs are not meant to please god.

Many Christians also claim that only those who believe can live a moral life and those who do not believe in god have no moral compass. That implies that one lives a moral life, not because it is the right thing to do, but because god expects us to be moral. Again, the fallacy with this reasoning is that mitzvahs and morals should be followed because god or a holy book dictates rules to us and not for personal philosophical or spiritual reasons.

In summary, I have no stake in god's existence. I do not see existence of heaven or hell as a reward and punishment system. If the whole purpose of the Golden Rule preached by Jesus was to treat others and I would like to be treated, I can follow his philosophy without believing in god. What type of god would want me to pledge my fealty to him or her simply for the sake of believing or proving my allegiance? I would expect god is beyond pride and the need for some following.

For all those thumbs down votes, I ask you to examine your personal motivation for believing in god.

Why is the concept that one can perform selfless mitzvahs and possess moral values without belief in god so difficult for many Christians to comprehend?

Answer 8

John 3:16

16 “For God so loved the world, [1] that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Answer 9

John 3:16

1"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,[a] that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Answer 10

Oh boy! It is John 3:16 in the bible. It says, " For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, and who-so-ever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life." It was the words of Jesus himself! It means that if you give your life to Jesus Christ, and believe that he was the son of God and died for your sins. Then came back to life to bring you a new life, you will NOT go to hell, but you will live in the kingdom of God forever.