I
was watching a television programme on BBC 1, called “Heir Hunters” in this
programme, teams of probate researchers
for a fee or percentage find the missing relatives of people who have died
without a will, one particular case, after extensive research they found that a
potential beneficiary were unable to claim a percentage of the will of their
relative because they had been adopted.
Wikipedia Adoption.
A
definition of Adoption is a process whereby a person assumes the parenting for
another and, in so doing, permanently transfers all rights and
responsibilities, along with filiation, from the biological parent or parents.
Unlike guardianship or other systems designed for the care of the young,
adoption is intended to effect a permanent change in status and as such
requires societal recognition, either through legal or religious sanction.
Historically, some societies have enacted specific laws governing adoption;
where others have tried to achieve adoption through less formal means, notably
via contracts that specified inheritance rights and parental responsibilities
without an accompanying transfer of filiation.
Act
of leaving one's natural family and entering into the privileges and
responsibilities of another. In the Bible, adoption is one of several
family-related terms used to describe the process of salvation and its
subsequent benefits. God is a father who graciously adopts believers in Christ
into his spiritual family and grants them all the privileges of heirship.
Salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins and deliverance from
condemnation; it is also a position of great blessing. Believers are children
of God.
Old
Testament Legal adoption was not prescribed in Jewish law or practiced by the
Israelites. In fact, the term "adoption" does not occur in the Old
Testament. While there are several possible allusions to adoption, such as
Moses ( Exod 2:10 ), Genubath ( 1 Ki 11:20 ), and Esther ( Es 2:7 ), the
incidents recorded take place in foreign societies (Egyptian and Persian) and
there is no evidence that legal adoptions were enacted.
The
adoption metaphor was not lost to Israel, however. God declares that he is the
Father of the nation Israel, whom he loves as his child ( Isa 1:2 ; Hosea 11:1
). He tells Pharaoh, "Israel is my firstborn son" ( Exod 4:22 ). More
specifically, he says to David (and the Messiah), "You are my son; today I
have become your Father" ( Psalm 2:7 ); and of David's descendant, "I
will be his father, and he will be my son" ( 2 Sa 7:14 ). Although not
precisely adoption passages, the instances of declared sonship in the Old
Testament provide a theological foundation for Israel's designation as the
children of God.
New
Testament The New Testament cultural environment was much different from that
of the Old since elaborate laws and ceremonies for adoption were part of both
Greek and Roman society. To people with this background, the adoption metaphor
in the New Testament was particularly meaningful.
The
Greek word for adoption (huiothesia [uiJoqesiva]) means to "place as a
son" and is used only by Paul in the New Testament. Each of the five
occurrences in his letters is to readers of a decidedly Roman background. In
one instance Paul refers to the Old Testament idea of Israel's special position
as the children of God"Theirs is the adoption as sons" ( Ro 9:4 ).
The remaining four references describe how New Testament believers become
children of God through his gracious choice. The full scope of God's work of
salvation past, present, and future is seen in adoption.
The
believer's adoption as a child of God was determined by God from eternity: God
"predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ" ( Eph
1:5 ). This adoption is not the result of any merit on the part of the
believer, but solely the outworking of God's love and grace ( Ephesians 1:5
Ephesians 1:7 ).
The
present reality of the believer's adoption into the family of God is release
from the slavery of sin and the law and a new position as a free heir of God.
Entering into salvation brings the rights and privileges of free sonship:
"For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'"
( Ro 8:15 ). Paul tells the Galatians that Christians were redeemed from the
law so that they might receive adoption as sons. As a result the Holy Spirit
comes into the believer's heart crying, "Abba, Father" ( Gal 4:5 ).
The intimacy of a relationship with God the Father in contrast to the ownership
of slavery is a remarkable feature of salvation.
Like
many aspects of salvation, there is an eschatological component of adoption.
Believers "wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our
bodies" ( Ro 8:23 ). The full revelation of the believer's adoption is
freedom from the corruption present in the world. Being a member of God's
family includes the ultimate privilege of being like him ( 1 Jo 3:2 ) and being
conformed to the glorious body of Christ ( Php 3:21 ). This is part of the
promised inheritance for all God's children ( Ro 8:16-17 ).
“Costly
grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again and again, the gift
which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock. Such grace is
costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to
follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is
grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it
condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is
costly because it cost God the life of his Son: 'Ye were bought at a price',
and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace
because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but
delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.”
― Dietrich Bonhoeffer,
The Cost of Discipleship
Article 12 of the Westminster Confession of
Faith
All
those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ,
to make partakers of the grace of adoption, by which they are taken into the
number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God.
Some
Scriptures on Adoption.
Romans
8
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
Deliverance
from Bondage
8
Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. 2 For
the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of
sin and of death. 3 For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the
flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an
offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 so that the requirement of
the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but
according to the Spirit. 5 For those who are according to the flesh set their
minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit,
the things of the Spirit. 6 For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the
mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, 7 because the mind set on the flesh
is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it
is not even able to do so, 8 and those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
9
However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of
God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does
not belong to Him. 10 If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of
sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of
Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus
from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who
dwells in you.
12
So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according
to the flesh— 13 for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die;
but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will
live. 14 For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
15 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!”
16 The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, 17
and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if
indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
18
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be
compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19 For the anxious
longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20
For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him
who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free
from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of
God. 22 For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of
childbirth together until now. 23 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. 24 For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for
who hopes for what he already sees? 25 But if we hope for what we do not see,
with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.
Our
Victory in Christ
26
In the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to
pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too
deep for words; 27 and He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the
Spirit is, because He intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who
love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those whom
He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son,
so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren; 30 and these whom He
predestined, He also called; and these whom He called, He also justified; and
these whom He justified, He also glorified.
31
What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us? 32
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will
He not also with Him freely give us all things? 33 Who will bring a charge
against God’s elect? God is the one who justifies; 34 who is the one who
condemns? Christ Jesus is He who died, yes, rather who was raised, who is at
the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. 35 Who will separate us from
the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine,
or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 Just as it is written,
“For
Your sake we are being put to death all day long;
We
were considered as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37
But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us. 38
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor
principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor
height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us
from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Galatians
4
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
Sonship
in Christ
4
Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he does not differ at all from a
slave although he is owner of everything, 2 but he is under guardians and
managers until the date set by the father. 3 So also we, while we were
children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world. 4 But
when the fullness of the time came, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman,
born under the Law, 5 so that He might redeem those who were under the Law,
that we might receive the adoption as sons. 6 Because you are sons, God has
sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” 7
Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, then an heir
through God.
8
However at that time, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those which
by nature are no gods. 9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to
be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless
elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again? 10 You
observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I fear for you, that perhaps
I have laboured over you in vain.
12
I beg of you, brethren, become as I am, for I also have become as you are. You
have done me no wrong; 13 but you know that it was because of a bodily illness
that I preached the gospel to you the first time; 14 and that which was a trial
to you in my bodily condition you did not despise or loathe, but you received
me as an angel of God, as Christ Jesus Himself. 15 Where then is that sense of
blessing you had? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have
plucked out your eyes and given them to me. 16 So have I become your enemy by
telling you the truth? 17 They eagerly seek you, not commendably, but they wish
to shut you out so that you will seek them. 18 But it is good always to be
eagerly sought in a commendable manner, and not only when I am present with
you. 19 My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in
you— 20 but I could wish to be present with you now and to change my tone, for
I am perplexed about you.
Bond
and Free
21
Tell me, you who want to be under law, do you not listen to the law? 22 For it
is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the bondwoman and one by the free
woman. 23 But the son by the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and the
son by the free woman through the promise. 24 This is allegorically speaking,
for these women are two covenants: one proceeding from Mount Sinai bearing
children who are to be slaves; she is Hagar. 25 Now this Hagar is Mount Sinai
in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with
her children. 26 But the Jerusalem above is free; she is our mother. 27 For it
is written,
“Rejoice,
barren woman who does not bear;
Break
forth and shout, you who are not in labor;
For
more numerous are the children of the desolate
Than
of the one who has a husband.”
28
And you brethren, like Isaac, are children of promise. 29 But as at that time
he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to
the Spirit, so it is now also. 30 But what does the Scripture say?
“Cast
out the bondwoman and her son,
For
the son of the bondwoman shall not be an heir with the son of the free woman.”
31
So then, brethren, we are not children of a bondwoman, but of the free woman.
Ephesians
1
New
American Standard Bible (NASB)
The
Blessings of Redemption
1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,
To
the saints who are at Ephesus and who are faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace to
you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
3
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, 4 just as He chose
us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we would be holy and
blameless before Him. In love 5 He predestined us to adoption as sons through Jesus
Christ to Himself, according to the kind intention of His will, 6 to the praise
of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. 7 In
Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses,
according to the riches of His grace 8 which He lavished on us. In all wisdom
and insight 9 He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His
kind intention which He purposed in Him 10 with a view to an administration
suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in
Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him 11 also we have
obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who
works all things after the counsel of His will,
12 to the end that we who were the first to
hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. 13 In Him, you also, after
listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also
believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is
given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s
own possession, to the praise of His glory.
15
For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists
among you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for
you, while making mention of you in my prayers;
17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the
knowledge of Him. 18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so
that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the
glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the surpassing greatness
of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of
the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when He raised
Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is
named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all
things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to
the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
