John 1:12-13
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:
13 Which were born,
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
power - exousia:
leave or permission, authority and of right (privilege).
Q1. To whom did God
give the power to become the sons of God?
- "to as many
as received him (Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God."
- receiving Christ
is further explained as "... even to them that BELIEVE on his name.
- To believe on His
name, Jesus Christ, is to believe the truths indicated by the name.
- Mat 1:21 "And
she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall
save his people from their sins.
- John 6:69
"And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the
living God." Christ (Χριστός) means the Anointed One, the promised Messiah.
- "as many as
received him" excludes those effectually called who are without ability or
opportunity to receive Christ Jesus.
To be given the
power to become sons of God is clearly conditional upon their receiving Christ,
believing on His name.
Q2. What does it
mean to be given power to become sons (children) of God?
- It means to be
given leave or permission, the authority (power) and right (privilege) to claim
sonship of God.
- To as many as
believe in Jesus Christ, they are given the authority and right to own God as
their Father; as many as received Jesus Christ manifest that they HAVE BEEN
BORN of God; they are God's children. Spiritual life precedes the activities of
that life.
Q3. What are the
THREE things stated?
The three things
stated are indicated by these three verbs:
- "as many as
BELIEVED... BELIEVE on his name"
- "to them GAVE
he (God) power..."
- "which were
BORN..." (this is regeneration at
the effectual calling.
In the effectual
calling of an elect out of his native state of sin and death unto the state of
grace and salvation in Jesus Christ, these three divine activities take place:
justification by God, regeneration by the Spirit, and adoption by the Father
with the giving of the Spirit of adoption to dwell within him; all these are
solely based on the redemptive work of Christ.
ONLY those ALREADY
effectually called to grace and salvation in Jesus Christ are capable of
receiving Him.
Q4. What is the
chronological order of the three things?
a. "which were
BORN..."
- Spiritual birth by
the Spirit of God comes first. John 3:3, Eph 2:1
b. "as many as
BELIEVED..."
- Those born of God
are indwelt by the Spirit of adoption, who works in them all the saving graces,
including faith.
- The grace of faith
worked in the children of God makes believing possible.
c. "to them
GAVE he (God) power..."
- This is in
consequence of believing on the name of Christ.
- Believing the gospel
truths of Jesus Christ, the children of God are blessed by God to EXPERIENCE
their sonship of God.
—————-
Q. Why is it lacking
common sense (i.e stupid) to equate "to them gave he power..." as regeneration,
i.e., "born of God"?
- Give a few obvious
reasons.
Yet, not a few
sincere believers, including some reformed folks, equate the two.
- How does equating
the two REPUDIATE salvation by grace alone?
