It is written:
John 1:12-But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name:
Our religious friends who are offended by Jesus’ teaching that baptism is part of His plan of salvation claim that Jesus John 1:12 says a person becomes a child of God as soon as they believe in Jesus.
However, as we will see, this passage actually shows that believers are not yet children of God.
Let’s study.
First, this passage speaks of those who “receive” Christ Jesus and grammatically ties them with “those who believe in His name.” So, those who “receive” Christ are those who are believers in Jesus.
Second, the text states that these believers are then given “the right to become children of God.” You cannot becomes what you already are! If you are an American citizen, you cannot “become” such. In the same way, this passage shows us that a believer in Jesus is not a child of God; but simply has the right to become (because he is now a believer). Notice that the Bible teaches us clearly where a person becomes a child of God:
Galatians 3:26-27-For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Notice that word “for” at the beginning of Galatians 3:27. It is the Greek preposition “gar,” and literally means “to introduce the meaning of a preceding statement.” In other words, the Galatians were sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus-and the reason why they are children of God is because they had been baptized into Christ!
My friends, faith alone does not make you a child of God any more then faith alone makes demons children of God (James 2:19).
Why not today as a believer in Jesus repent of your sins and be baptized into Him?
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all. Amen.
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