Introduction

In the early 1970s, Dr. Marlon F. Thomas began the work of planting a local New Testament church in Hampton, Georgia. The church’s beginnings were humble. Services were first held in a borrowed chapel at the Camp Fortson 4-H Center just outside of town, until property could be purchased and a permanent building constructed. Excitement filled the hearts of the small congregation, and members eagerly invited friends and neighbors to join them.

One of those invitations reached my parents, Derrell and Jane Hudgins. At first, they declined. But eventually, to appease their persistent neighbor, they agreed to attend a single service.

On July 11, 1976, my parents—who had never been churchgoers and had no relationship with God—walked into that little chapel at Camp Fortson. That night, they heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ preached with clarity and power. The message was simple yet life-changing:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

For a man with no direction, this message gave my father hope. For a man with an empty heart, it offered a love deeper than anything he had ever known. That night, my father stepped out in faith, walked the short aisle, knelt at the altar, and in simple child-like trust, received Jesus Christ—God’s gift of love.

As the church rejoiced, he searched for my mother in the congregation but could not find her. His heart sank, fearing she had left in embarrassment. Then he heard praying to his right. Looking over, he saw my mother at the altar, also surrendering her life to Christ.

That night, my parents left the service as brand-new creations in Christ. Old things had passed away; everything was new. My father was later called to preach, and my mother became a faithful example of Christian devotion. From that day forward, our home was filled with church attendance, prayer, Bible reading, giving, and godly standards. What had made the difference? The great love of God found in John 3:16.

It was the love of God in John 3:16 that stirred a neighbor’s heart to invite my family. It was the love of God in John 3:16 that compelled a preacher to proclaim salvation. And it was the love of God in John 3:16 that saved my father and mother that night.

Fifteen years later, God began to deal with me personally about my need of salvation. Though I had grown up surrounded by the blessings of my parents’ Christian walk, my own heart was unsettled. I had made a profession of faith as a boy but could not remember the experience clearly. I questioned whether I had truly been convicted by the Holy Spirit or if I had acted out of emotion. I realized I had never personally repented of my sin and asked Christ into my heart.

On March 24, 1991, God gave me another opportunity. That day, I surrendered my life, repented of my sin, and received Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. The same overwhelming love found in John 3:16 that had changed my parents now changed me forever.

What Makes One Verse the Greatest?

People love to debate what is “the greatest.” We do it with restaurants, cars, houses, sports teams, vacations, and even hotels. Everyone has an opinion, and often our opinions differ.

But when it comes to the Bible—31,102 verses in all—what makes one verse the greatest? Some would argue that it is impossible to choose just one. Others would insist that a single verse must be read in the context of its chapter or book. Since every word of Scripture is inspired, perfect, and eternal, perhaps it seems too bold to select one verse as supreme.

And yet, throughout history, countless Bible scholars have pointed to John 3:16 as the greatest verse in all of God’s Word.

• R. A. Torrey called it “The Greatest Sentence Ever Written.”

• Martin Luther named it “The Miniature Gospel,” because it contains the entire message of salvation in a single verse.

• Ivor Powell described it as the Bible’s greatest treasure, more written about than any other verse.

• P. Carnegie Simpson referred to it as “the superb commonplace of Christianity.”

• John R. Rice declared that all Scripture supports this verse, and never once contradicts it.

The truth is undeniable: every book of the Bible converges into this one verse, and every word of this verse supports the whole of Scripture.

What London is to Britain, John 3:16 is to the Bible. It is the hub, the center, the heart of the Gospel. The Old Testament leads to it. The New Testament flows out of it. The highways of history and the deep waters of prophecy all run through it.

A Living Word

Unlike any other book, the Bible is alive. Psalm 119:89 reminds us, “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven.”Other writings remain static—read the same way every time. But the Bible, God’s living Word, speaks fresh truth to every heart in every circumstance. It comforts the rejoicing and strengthens the broken. It is as real on the mountaintop as it is in the valley.

Why John 3:16?

It is not the longest verse. It is not the shortest. It is not the first verse, nor the last. But John 3:16 is the Gospel in one breath. It is the message of God’s love, God’s gift, and God’s promise of everlasting life.

My prayer is that this study of John 3:16 will open hearts and minds to the greatness of God’s salvation plan—and prove beyond doubt that John 3:16 is truly “The Bible’s Greatest Verse.”