John 1:12-13 12But to as many as who did receive him, he gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in his name, 13who have been born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of a man, but of God.
The choice is made clear to the reader right at the beginning of the book: will we receive (elabon) the Word? This word can mean to take hold of or grasp; it has a metaphoric meaning of a deep experiential understanding. John defines further what the word means in the following phrase: to receive means to believe in the name of this person. Name represents the person and what that person stands for. In the case of Jesus, to believe in his name means to accept his position and authority as the Son of God and Messiah who brings the good news of salvation.
The outcome of believing is the privilege of becoming part of God’s family as his children. John does not use the word “adoption,” as Paul does in Romans 8:15, 23; 9:4; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5, but the concept is assumed in verse 12. John nuances the idea of becoming God’s children through the image of spiritual rebirth. People are physically born through the will of a man mating with a woman. But people are reborn spiritually through the will of God.
Verse 13 should not be used to support the doctrine of predestination and the idea that God desires some to be saved and others damned. God’s will is for all people to be saved (2 Peter 3:9). God comes to all people with shining light through prevenient grace. This grace is experienced in limitless ways and experiences. The brightest light shines through the good news of Jesus Christ.
New birth into God’s family is open to anyone who believes in the name of Jesus, not just the select predestined. God has already made the path to new birth clear through the gospel. The invitation is open to as many as (hosoi). Those who believe have the right (exousian) or have been given the authority to act on the invitation and become part of God’s family. John emphasizes the way a person is born by contrasting (with the strong all’, but) at the end of verse 13 and putting the verb have been born as the last word. He shows clearly that this is all by God’s grace. This is the good news open to all people.
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