The Progress of Salvation
Adoption
Received as Sons and Daughters
Description
Adoption is the act of grace by which God receives us into the number and privileges of His children. We were by nature children of wrath, but through Christ we become children of God with all the rights and privileges of sons. We receive the Spirit of adoption, by whom we cry 'Abba, Father.' Adoption means we are no longer strangers and foreigners but members of God's household. We are fellow heirs with Christ—if children, then heirs. The Father loves us as He loves His only-begotten Son. Adoption secures not only our present standing but our future inheritance—an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading.
Key Verses
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God.
And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.
Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.