By Ney Rieber
Have you ever read John 1:12 carefully? I wish you would read it again with me.
John 1:12, But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12, KJV).
As I was growing up, I was taught that in order to become a child of God, I must accept
Jesus as my personal savior, and John 1:12 was one of the most commonly used passages used
to prove the point. Because I loved the old man who was the preacher, I never questioned
his assertions. If Reverend Lee said it, it had to be right. One Sunday, when I was about
twelve years old, I determined that I was going to become a Child of God and responded to
the invitation. Reverend Lee put his arm around me, gave me a fatherly hug, and with tears
in his eyes, asked me if I accepted Jesus as my personal savior. Tearing up with him I
responded, "Yes, I do." Reverend Lee then told me, "Ney,
because you have received Jesus into your heart, you are now a "Son of God." He
then told me that in about three weeks we were going to have a "baptizing" and
asked me if I wanted to be baptized at that time, to which I responded that I did. I never
questioned the teaching I had been given, until I began some serious Bible study some
twelve years later. Let's examine John 1:12 carefully and see what it really teaches.
First, what does it mean to "receive him?" While many might give us a long
theological explanation, the verse itself says simply, "even to them that believe on
his name." We can't argue with that. To "believe on the name of Jesus" is
to "receive him." That is not too complicated, and we do not need someone with
Doctorate of Theology to explain it.
Second, what happens when someone "receives Jesus?" Again, read the text
carefully. I was told that when I believed in Jesus I became a son of God. Is that what
the verse says? Again, it is not too hard to understand. It says that when a person
receives Jesus, they were given the "power to become" the sons of God. Please,
in your mind emphasize the phrase "power to become." There is a significant
difference between having the power to do something and actually doing that thing.
Let me give you an illustration. In North Carolina, when a person turns sixteen, the state
grants them the "power to become" licensed automobile drivers. Now just because
they are sixteen, and have that power, does not automatically confer the privilege of
driving upon them. There are certain conditions that must be met to realize that power.
But when they turned sixteen, they had the "power to become" licensed
drivers. When a person believes in Jesus, they have "the power to become" a son
of God, but like the sixteen year old who wishes to become a licensed driver, there are
some conditions that the one who has received Jesus must meet. He must exercise that power
according to God's instructions in order to realize the potential of that power.
Matthew 10:32-33, 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess
also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him
will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (KJV).
Romans 10:9-10, 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt
believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. (KJV).
2 Peter 3:9, 9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance. (KJV).
Hebrews 5:8-9, 8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all
them that obey him; (KJV).
Galatians 3:26-27, 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For
as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. (KJV).
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