John 1:12 says that those who receive Christ have been given the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Does this mean that our sins still remain before we are baptized?

QUESTION: John 1:12 says that those who receive Christ have been given the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. Does this mean that our sins still remain before we are baptized?

ANSWER: Yes! Our sins remain until we are baptized! John 1:12 does not teach that those who believe are saved. This passage teaches that those who believe have the power (the right or privilege) to become the sons of God. Notice carefully: He did not say that believers are the sons of God. He said, believers have the right to become the sons of God! “Become” speaks to the future, not the present! They do not become the sons of God, i.e., they are not saved until following their belief and after they have obeyed Him! (Hebrews 5:8-9; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-5; Romans 6:16-18). This is what is being taught in James, chapter two: Faith (belief) without works of obedience is dead (vss. 14,17, 20, 24, & 26). To support this truth, James says in verse nineteen that the disobedient devils also believe, and tremble. It is obvious that the devils are lost and that their belief in Christ does not save them. And the same is true of humans who only believe and do not obey. They, too, are lost, because “faith (belief) without works is dead” (Vs. 20). Consider carefully verse twenty-four, “Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith (belief) only.” This passage (and John1:12) teaches that justification (forgiveness & salvation) is not ours by belief (faith) only (alone). It is true that one must believe in order to be saved, but clearly, belief only is not enough.