“11 He came to His own (Old Covenant Jews), and His own did not receive Him. 12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become CHILDREN OF GOD, to those who believe in His name: 13 who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.” (John 1:11-13).
The term CHILDREN OF GOD in the New Testament refers to those who have been born-again spiritually and have genuine faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. The high priest, Caiaphas, who was not a believer, prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for that nation only (Jews in Palestine), but also that He would gather together in one the CHILDREN OF GOD who were scattered abroad (Jewish Diaspora) (John 11:51-52).
Now Caiaphas thought it would be better to let Christ die, even if some of the Jews believed in Him, than to have the entire nation of Israel believe in Him. That might result in the Romans taking away the authority of the Pharisees, including the whole Jewish religious system and nation. Caiaphas saw Jesus as a political threat and a rival for ruling. He did not understand the nature of the spiritual eternal Kingdom of Christ (John 11:47-50).
Therefore, the chief priests and Pharisees began to plot to put Him to death (John 11:53). The chief priests and Pharisees did not understand that Jesus was indeed the Messiah and all faithful believers were “TRUE JEWS.” They are the believing Jews and believing Gentiles. They are the true CHILDREN OF GOD. They are the heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Paul clarified this in his epistle to the Romans:
“15For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, ‘Abba, Father.’ 1 6The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are CHILDREN OF GOD, 17and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.” (Rom. 8:15-17).
Apostle Paul said that the sufferings that those first century saints were going through because of their faith in Christ was not worthy to be compared with the glory that would soon be revealed in them when the Lord returned at His second coming Parousia in AD 66-70. At that time the creation itself would be delivered from the bondage of corruption of the Old Heavens and Earth cosmological order into the glorious liberty of the New Covenant New Heavens and Earth cosmological order for the CHILDREN OF GOD (Rom. 8:18-21; Phil. 2:14-16).
Apostle John wrote in his smaller epistles that whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him, also loves those who are begotten of Him (CHILDREN OF GOD). They would know that they love the CHILDREN OF GOD, when they love God. Their love for God would be manifested when they practice righteousness and have brotherly love for one-another (1 John 5:1-2; 1 John 3:1-2; 3:10).