John 3:18 NIV
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. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
What does it mean to believe in a name?
Wouldn't that also include everything the person stands for, therefore His words also?
I think that given the following context:
Deuteronomy 18:18-19 Acts 3:23
"I will raise them up a prophet .....whosoever will not hearken unto him will be destroyed from among the people"
John 1:14 "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us."
Matthew 7:26 "everyone that hears these sayings of mine, and does not do them,
shall be likened unto a foolish man which built his house upon the sand...."
"and they were astonished at His doctrine for He taught as one with authority" Matthew 7:28
"whoever transgresses (disobeys the Torah) and abides not in the doctrine of Christ, has not God,
he that abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son" 2 John 1:9-10
"My sheep hear my voice, I know them and they follow me" John 10:27
"I say unto you that hear....."
"Why call ye me Lord Lord and do not the things that I say?"
Luke 6:27-49
"He that has my commands and keeps them, he it is that loves me...
He that does not keep my commands does not love me"
John 14:21-24
"if anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let that person be Anathema! Oh Lord come!"
1 Corinthians 16:22
Given that context I think John 3:18 is better understood in this manner:
Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the word of God’s one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
What are your thoughts?