Eternal life

Eternal life is the supreme benefit of salvation (John 3:16). It is not going to heaven. Heaven is a benefit of eternal life. Eternal life is relational. Jesus himself defined it, “This is eternal life, that they may intimately know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ who you have sent (John 17:3). Eternal life is about relationship, a growing relationship of trust (1 John 5:20). Only Jesus has authority to grant eternal life (John 17:2). It is clear that belief is required to gain eternal life (John 3:36, 6:40, 6:47, Gal 6:8, 1 Jn 5:13). (see belief page).