God so loved the world

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

God sent his son to die for every single person

God loves you and has a plan for you

To understand this appropriately, we must understand the nature of the old covenant and the new, and the shock for everyone that God’s salvation would be for people outside of Israel—that his kindness would not require them to become Jews first

After the first gentile convert in Acts by the ministry of Peter:

Acts 11:1–4 “1 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. 2 So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcision party criticized him, saying, 3 “You went to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” 4 But Peter began and explained it to them in order:”

Acts 11:18 “18 When they heard these things they fell silent. And they glorified God, saying, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life.””

The 1st missionary journey of Paul and Barnabas that saw a flood of Gentiles come into the faith without circumcision or Jewish rites. And afterward there was great controversy because of this:

Acts 15:1–2 “1 But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” 2 And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question.”

At the Jerusalem Council:

Peter: Acts 15:7–11 “7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.””

Paul and Barnabas: Acts 15:12 “12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.”

James: Acts 15:13–19 “13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 “ ‘After this I will return, and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will restore it, 17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord, and all the Gentiles who are called by my name, says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’ 19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God,”

Decision: God’s salvation is for the world, and not just Jews. Therefore, one does not need to become a Jew to receive salvation. Instead one must simply place their faith in Jesus, whether Jew or Greek.

John 3:16 “16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

1 Timothy 2:1–7 “1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

1 Timothy 4:10 “10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

All people:

Jew or Greek

The only mediator for the whole world

John 14:6 “6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

Acts 4:12 “12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.””

Titus 3:4–7 “4 But when the goodness and “loving kindness” (φιλανθρωπία) of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

φιλανθρωπία = philanthropia = philanthropy: the love of humanity and a desire to promote their wellbeing

KJV: But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared

So to take the language of world, and all people, etc and to conclude that Jesus died for every single person is wrong and dangerous.

The truth is, God’s Messiah is for all people, the world, therefore we tell everyone about Jesus and call on them to believe and receive his benefits.

And those who do respond is because the work of Christ is specifically applied to them.

So to tell someone who has not responded that God loves them and has a plan for them is wrong and dangerous