Salvation Series : Lesson #8

Adoption

In this lesson we are going to be studying the subject of Adoption. Now for many this is simply connected with being adopted into the family of God in connection with being born again. But the question then becomes if we are born again as sons of God, which we are through the new birth (John 1:12 ; 1 John 3:1), then why must we be adopted? Spiritually we are the children of God by birth; therefore the adoption spoken of in the scripture must be referring to something else. With this in mind let us look at the word of God and see the passages where the word adoption is found and see what it is in reference to.

The word adoption is only found in five places in the Bible. These places are Romans 8:15, Romans 8:23, Romans 9:4, Galatians 4:5, and Ephesians 1:5. Below we will make a chain reference for each one of these to show what is going on in the passage.

Romans 8:15 (We have received the Spirit of Adoption)

Romans 8:23 (We are waiting for the Adoption)

Romans 9:4 (The Adoption pertains to the Israelites)

Galatians 4:5 (That we might receive the Adoption of sons)

Ephesians 1:5 (We are predestinated to the Adoptions of children by Jesus Christ)

The second reference above is the one that really shows us what Adoption really is. Note that in Romans 8:23 we are said to be “waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body”. This verse plainly tells us that the adoption is the redemption of the body. When we are born again we are baptized by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ, we are born into God’s family by the new birth, we are spiritually circumcised and sealed by the Holy Spirit. But nothing really happens to our body which is the flesh.

When Jesus comes at the rapture of the church (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 ; 1 Corinthians 15:51-57) then our bodies will be changed into a glorious body like his (Philippians 3:20-21 ; Romans 8:28-29). This is the redemption of the body. For  those who were dead in Christ they are raised incorruptible and those who are alive they are changed.

The reason that we are said to have received the Spirit of Adoption is found in the context of the passage. Note that in Romans 8:11 the same Spirit that raised up Jesus will also raise us up. This is the Spirit of Adoption.

When we look at Romans 9:4 it is said that the adoption pertaineth to Israel, so what is this all about? Israel all through the Old Testament was promised a resurrection (Ezekiel 37:1-14 ; John 11:23-25). Also in Romans 4:13-25 Abraham is said to be the heir of the world and it is connected with a seed and resurrection. This same thing is seen in Galatians 3:7-29 with the addition of the fact that the seed is Christ.

From this is seems that the Adoption is really about the resurrection of and that through this adoption we are connected with the family of Abraham as well.

Salvation Series : Lesson #8

Adoption (Handout)

1)  How many times is the word Adoption found in the King James Bible?

2)  Make a chain reference for each of time the word is found.

3)  What is the Adoption really about? Which reference from above shows us this?

4)  How does the Adoption pertain to Israel?