Adoption

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Adoption – From the Greek word huiothesia (hwee-oth-es-ee’-ah) NT: 5206. Huiothesia is a compound word derived from two other Greek words: huios (hwee-os’) NT:5207 meaning “son”, and tithemi (tith’-ay-mee) NT:5087 meaning “to place,” thus, “to place a son.” See Strong’s number definitions.

Adoption is an important doctrine in Scripture for the following reasons:

1.) The doctrine helps clarify the metaphysical distinction between God and Man. This distinction is required because of the use of concepts such as God as our Father; we are the children of God; we are His offspring and we are joint heirs with Christ. See: Galatians 4:5, Romans 8:15-17, Acts 17:28. By such usage of terms, there is given an impression that we are gods through association with God. Adoption clarifies these terms by demonstrating that we become the children of God through an adoption process. This process consists of two elements: A.) Ephesians 1:5-8. The shedding of blood by God’s only Son. B.) Acts 26:20. Through faith and the repentance of sin. Through these actions comes personal salvation or personal adoption into the family of God, not as gods but as human beings given the status of children born into God’s family, sharing in the inheritance God has for his only Son (Jesus Christ) and us. See: Acts 26:18.

2.)This doctrine demonstrates our relationship with God as personal. Romans 8:15-17: “For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father! The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him.” (NASB)

3.) This doctrine provides hope for the future. Romans 8:22-25: “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.” (NASB)

4.) This doctrine demonstrates God’s sovereignty in the World. Ephesians 1:3-6: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.” (NASB)

 

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