Receiving Jesus the BIBLICAL way.
Let's go over John 1:12 and try to understand what it is telling us. It says: "But as many as received him, to them he gave the RIGHT to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name."
Those who receive Christ do not automatically become children of God. They only acquire the right to become children of God. And like any other right, it has to be exercised in order for one to avail of that right. Other versions of the Bible say "... power to become children of God."
One who receives Jesus has in his hand the right or power to become a child of God. He could refuse to exercise that right or refuse to turn on that power and having received Jesus would not make him a child of God.
The belief of many that to receive Jesus is by inviting him to come into your heart through prayer is not the Biblical way of receiving Jesus. This is false.
When Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to preach the gospel (Matt. 10:5), among other things he told them was: "He who receives YOU receives ME, and he who receives ME receives HIM who sent me." (Matt. 10:40).
The only way to receive Jesus and acquire the right to become a child of God is to receive the messengers sent by him or by God.
Apostle Paul emphasized the need for messengers sent by God when he said: "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things.
Ed
Let's go over John 1:12 and try to understand what it is telling us. It says: "But as many as received him, to them he gave the RIGHT to become children of God, even to those who believe in his name."
Those who receive Christ do not automatically become children of God. They only acquire the right to become children of God. And like any other right, it has to be exercised in order for one to avail of that right. Other versions of the Bible say "... power to become children of God."
One who receives Jesus has in his hand the right or power to become a child of God. He could refuse to exercise that right or refuse to turn on that power and having received Jesus would not make him a child of God.
The belief of many that to receive Jesus is by inviting him to come into your heart through prayer is not the Biblical way of receiving Jesus. This is false.
When Jesus sent out his twelve apostles to preach the gospel (Matt. 10:5), among other things he told them was: "He who receives YOU receives ME, and he who receives ME receives HIM who sent me." (Matt. 10:40).
The only way to receive Jesus and acquire the right to become a child of God is to receive the messengers sent by him or by God.
Apostle Paul emphasized the need for messengers sent by God when he said: "And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things.
Ed