12 But, as many as did receive Him,* to them He gave the right to become children of God,* one by receiving Christ. Presumably ‘receiving’ is a conscious act. Each of my two children did this when four years old. to those who believe into His name:*’ (Greek εν) Jesus or His name; always it reads ‘believe into’ (Greek εις). People believe in Santa Claus, the Easter bunny, the goodness of man, or whatever, but it makes no difference in their lives. Many millions of people say they ‘believe in Jesus’, but it makes no difference in their lives either. You have to believe into Him—commitment and identification are involved, that go along with the change in location, from being outside to being inside. As Jesus Himself said in John 6:53-56, you have to "eat" His flesh and "drink" His blood. If you eat something your body assimilates it, it becomes part of you.

16 Because God loved the world so much that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes into Him should not be wasted, but should have eternal life.*

6 Jesus says to him: "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No one goes to the Father except through me.*

21 And it will be: whoever calls on the name of the Lord*

will be saved!’

38 So Peter said to them: "Repent and be baptized, each one of you, upon the name of Jesus Christ,*. Notice that Peter promises forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit to any who enter into that commitment. for forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

12 Also, the salvation* way. does not exist in anyone else, because there is no other name under heaven, given among men, by which we must be saved."

31 So they said, "Believe upon the Lord Jesus Christ* and you will be saved, you and your household."