But to as many as did receive and welcome Him, He gave the authority ( power, privilege, right ) to become the children of God, that is, to those who believe in ( adhere to, trust in, and rely on ) His name-Who owe their birth neither to bloods nor to the will of the flesh [ that of physical impulse ] nor to the will of man [ that of a natural father ], but God. [ They are born of God! ] John 1:12,13