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FAQ # 8
QUESTION 8 : Wasn’t the Bible referring to these people as being saved when it said,
‘even to them that call on his name’ or “even to them that believe…”
(John 1:12)?
This
wasn’t a mere utterance of the mouth or simply stating a belief and “whala,”
one is regenerated without both baptisms (John 3:5). No!
These
references were talking of the Gentiles, because “salvation is of the
Jews” (John 4:22). The word receive is also important; it means you got
something from someone who specifically gave it to you. Or, you gave something
to someone specifically. In other words, for you to receive something
from someone (e.g. wedding ring), that person has to purposefully give
it to you. Jesus came to the Jews and generally they didn’t receive him;
“He came unto his own, and his own received
him not” (John 1:11). God
knew this would have happened, hence the term “even to them…” The “them”
here were gentiles who willingly believe on his name and because of this,
“to them gave he power to [ALSO] become the sons of God” (John 1:12).
After belief, he would lead them in being born of the water and of the spirit.
Also,
“receive” can be used interchangeable in contextual meaning with “believe.”
Why? Because one cannot receive something as intangible as salvation without
first believing it. So then, genuine belief usually leads to or
is an acceptation (receive) of something. Even believing on him is given
to us by God, “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only
to believe on him, but also to…” (Phil 1:29).
To
further explain the term “even to them,” take a look at Psalms 75:1, “Truly
God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart.” Notice the
similar use of the term “even to.” In other words, God is good to Israel,
but also to (“even to”) anyone who isn’t Jewish but has a clean heart.
This is the same scenario with John 1:12 and others like it, as it relates
to salvation.
As
it relates to your question, God brought salvation to the Jews but extended
it to (“even to them”) any Gentile who believes, and consequently becomes
born of the water and of the spirit (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).
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