A sign on one of the churches close to my home says, “John 3:16: Read it, believe it. Enough said!” If that is really enough, then why does the Bible mention so many other requirements to obeying the gospel.
If it is “Enough said,” then why did God say to repent of our sins? Jesus said, “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Paul said, “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). If it is “Enough said,” then why did God say to confess Jesus? The Lord told His disciples, “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). If it is “Enough said,” then why did God say to be baptized? Jesus described this step as being “born of water and the Spirit,” which causes someone to “enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). First Peter 3:21 says, “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
If it is “Enough said,” then why are there so many exhortations to faithfulness in the Bible (Matthew 24:42; 2 Timothy 4:8-10; Revelation 2:10)? Those who had been beheaded for their allegiance to the word of God reigned with Christ for 1,000 years (Revelation 20:4). It was their faithfulness that was rewarded! Is it possible that the doctrine of “once saved, always saved” contradicts the Bible? Everyone needs to think carefully before they say that the Bible is finished saying what needs to be said! This is a blatant manifestation of presumption on the part of man, and it should not be named among men.
Kyle Campbell
