Embracing Our Identity: The Doctrine of Adoption
Summary
The doctrine of adoption is a profound and often overlooked aspect of Christian theology. It is a doctrine that brings immense comfort and encouragement to believers, yet it is seldom discussed. Adoption, in the biblical sense, refers to the act of God by which He confers upon us the status of sons and daughters. This is not merely a metaphorical or symbolic gesture but a real and judicial act that changes our standing before God. It is distinct from justification and regeneration, though it encompasses elements of both. Justification declares us righteous, and regeneration gives us a new nature, but adoption goes further by placing us into God's family, granting us the privileges and responsibilities of being His children.
The term "son" in Scripture is used in various ways, but when it refers to believers, it signifies a special relationship with God, distinct from the universal fatherhood of God over all creation. This relationship is not based on our efforts or merits but is a result of God's grace and the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of adoption enables us to cry out "Abba, Father," affirming our intimate relationship with God.
Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ. It provides us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and even His loving discipline. As adopted children, we bear God's name and are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity. This doctrine reminds us of the security and certainty of our salvation, as nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus.
Key Takeaways:
- Adoption is a distinct and judicial act of God that confers upon us the status of sons and daughters, granting us the privileges of being part of God's family. It is not merely a metaphor but a real change in our relationship with God. [23:18]
- The term "son" in Scripture, when applied to believers, signifies a special relationship with God that is distinct from the universal fatherhood of God over all creation. This relationship is based on grace, not human effort. [13:05]
- The Spirit of adoption enables us to cry "Abba, Father," affirming our intimate relationship with God. This is a profound assurance of our status as God's children and co-heirs with Christ. [18:42]
- Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ, providing us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and loving discipline. It is a reminder of the security and certainty of our salvation. [43:16]
- As adopted children, we are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity, bearing God's name and living as His representatives in the world. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. [39:53]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[00:09] - Introduction to the Doctrine of Adoption
[01:15] - The Order of Redemption
[02:55] - The Importance of Adoption
[04:11] - Scriptural References to Adoption
[06:43] - Definition and Meaning of Adoption
[09:27] - Different Uses of "Son" in Scripture
[12:22] - Universal Fatherhood of God
[17:08] - Distinction Between God's Children and the World
[21:14] - Our Sonship vs. Christ's Sonship
[23:18] - Adoption as a Judicial Act
[27:09] - Does Adoption Apply to All Christians?
[33:14] - Refuting False Distinctions
[37:32] - Proofs of Adoption
[39:53] - Results and Benefits of Adoption
[46:49] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Doctrine of Adoption
Bible Reading:
1. Romans 8:15 - "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."
2. Galatians 4:5 - "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."
3. Ephesians 1:5 - "Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the term "Spirit of adoption" signify in Romans 8:15, and how does it contrast with the "spirit of bondage"? [04:56]
2. In Galatians 4:5, what is the purpose of redemption according to Paul, and how is it connected to adoption? [06:06]
3. How does Ephesians 1:5 describe the process and purpose of adoption in God's plan? [06:22]
4. According to the sermon, what are the distinct roles of justification, regeneration, and adoption in the believer's life? [23:52]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of adoption provide assurance and comfort to believers, as discussed in the sermon? [03:27]
2. What is the significance of being able to cry "Abba, Father" as mentioned in Romans 8:15, and how does this reflect our relationship with God? [04:56]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that adoption is more than just a legal status but also a relational change with God? [23:18]
4. How does the sermon address the misconception of the universal fatherhood of God, and what implications does this have for understanding adoption? [13:05]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt distant from God. How does the assurance of being adopted into His family change your perspective on that experience? [03:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes the privilege and responsibility of bearing God's name. What are some practical ways you can live out this new identity in your daily life? [39:53]
3. How can the understanding of being co-heirs with Christ influence your approach to challenges and trials in life? [43:16]
4. Consider the role of the Holy Spirit in affirming your identity as a child of God. How can you cultivate a deeper relationship with the Spirit to experience this assurance more fully? [18:42]
5. The sermon discusses the loving discipline of God as part of our adoption. How do you typically respond to God's discipline, and how might you embrace it as a sign of His love? [42:13]
6. In what ways can you support and encourage others in your community to understand and embrace their identity as adopted children of God? [39:53]
7. Identify one area of your life where you struggle to accept God's provision and protection. How can the doctrine of adoption help you trust God more in that area? [43:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Adoption as a Transformative Act of God
Adoption in the biblical sense is a profound and judicial act by which God confers upon believers the status of sons and daughters. This is not merely a symbolic gesture but a real change in our relationship with God. Unlike justification, which declares us righteous, and regeneration, which gives us a new nature, adoption places us into God's family, granting us the privileges and responsibilities of being His children. This transformation is a testament to God's grace and love, as it is not based on our efforts or merits but solely on His divine will. [23:18]
Galatians 4:4-5 (ESV): "But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons."
Reflection: How does understanding adoption as a judicial act of God change the way you view your relationship with Him today?
Day 2: Grace-Filled Relationship with God
The term "son" in Scripture, when applied to believers, signifies a special relationship with God that is distinct from the universal fatherhood of God over all creation. This relationship is based on grace, not human effort, highlighting the unmerited favor that God extends to us. As believers, we are invited into an intimate relationship with God, where we can call Him "Abba, Father," a term of endearment and closeness. This grace-filled relationship assures us of our place in God's family and encourages us to live in the light of His love and acceptance. [13:05]
Ephesians 1:5-6 (ESV): "He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved."
Reflection: In what ways can you embrace and celebrate the grace-filled relationship you have with God today?
Day 3: Assurance of Our Inheritance
The Spirit of adoption enables us to cry "Abba, Father," affirming our intimate relationship with God and assuring us of our status as His children and co-heirs with Christ. This assurance is not just about our current standing but also about our future inheritance. As co-heirs with Christ, we are promised a share in His glory and the eternal blessings that come with being part of God's family. This assurance provides us with the confidence of God's protection, provision, and loving discipline, reminding us of the security and certainty of our salvation. [18:42]
Romans 8:16-17 (ESV): "The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."
Reflection: How does the assurance of being a co-heir with Christ influence your perspective on life's challenges today?
Day 4: Living Out Our New Identity
As adopted children, we are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity, bearing God's name and living as His representatives in the world. This is both a privilege and a responsibility, as we are tasked with embodying the values and character of God's family. Our lives should be a testament to the transformative power of adoption, showcasing the love, grace, and truth of God to those around us. This calling challenges us to align our actions and attitudes with our identity as God's children, living in a manner worthy of our calling. [39:53]
1 Peter 2:9-10 (ESV): "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy."
Reflection: What specific actions can you take today to reflect your identity as a child of God in your community?
Day 5: Security in God's Love
Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ, providing us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and loving discipline. This doctrine reminds us of the security and certainty of our salvation, as nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus. As adopted children, we are enveloped in God's unwavering love, which offers us peace and confidence in our daily walk. This security empowers us to face life's uncertainties with faith, knowing that we are held firmly in the embrace of our Heavenly Father. [43:16]
Hebrews 12:5-6 (ESV): "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.'"
Reflection: In what ways can you rest in the security of God's love and discipline today, trusting in His perfect plan for your life?
Quotes
Adoption in a sense is a combination of both those two things together. It is the new creature in his new relationship to God as a son. It's more than justification; it's more than regeneration. It includes them both. Here is the man with the new nature declared to be just and free from the law and its condemnation and to be positively righteous. [00:26:01]
Adoption is not the same thing as justification. It isn't even a part of justification; it's quite separate. In justification, you remember, we found that declares us to be righteous. It's a declaratory act; it's a forensic act. He declares that our sins are forgiven and that he accepts the righteousness of Christ upon us. [00:24:50]
The Spirit of adoption enables us to cry "Abba, Father," affirming our intimate relationship with God. This is a profound assurance of our status as God's children and co-heirs with Christ. The Spirit itself also beareth witness with our spirit that we are sons of God. [00:33:04]
Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ, providing us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and loving discipline. It is a reminder of the security and certainty of our salvation. If God has adopted you into his family, if you are a child, a Son of God, your destiny is secure. [00:44:03]
We are given the Spirit of adoption, which cries "Abba, Father." You'll find that in this 8th of Romans and in Galatians 4:4. Another way in which you can be assured of the fact that you've received the adoption is this: that you know that the Holy Spirit is dwelling within you. [00:38:18]
Adoption is a distinct and judicial act of God that confers upon us the status of sons and daughters, granting us the privileges of being part of God's family. It is not merely a metaphor but a real change in our relationship with God. [00:23:20]
As adopted children, we are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity, bearing God's name and living as His representatives in the world. This is both a privilege and a responsibility. We are entitled to bear his name; we can say that we are the children of God. [00:40:00]
The term "son" in Scripture, when applied to believers, signifies a special relationship with God that is distinct from the universal fatherhood of God over all creation. This relationship is based on grace, not human effort. [00:12:22]
Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ. It provides us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and even His loving discipline. As adopted children, we bear God's name and are called to live in a way that reflects our new identity. [00:43:16]
The Spirit of adoption enables us to cry out "Abba, Father," affirming our intimate relationship with God. This is a profound assurance of our status as God's children and co-heirs with Christ. [00:18:42]
Adoption is a distinct and judicial act of God that confers upon us the status of sons and daughters, granting us the privileges of being part of God's family. It is not merely a metaphor but a real change in our relationship with God. [00:23:18]
Adoption assures us of our inheritance as co-heirs with Christ, providing us with the assurance of God's protection, provision, and loving discipline. It is a reminder of the security and certainty of our salvation. [00:43:16]
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