ADOPTION
The word suggests the idea of putting one into the position of a son. It is used five times in the New Testament.
- The Christian's reception of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:38) is God's pledge that he has been adopted as a son. Unlike Christ, who was a son as to his very nature (i.e., deity; cf. Heb. 5:8), we have been adopted into the family of God by the new birth process (Jn. 3:3-5; cf. Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:5).
- The future resurrection of the body on the last day is spoken of as an adoption (Rom. 8:23). This suggests there is a fuller measure of inheritance than what we presently enjoy.
- The nation of Israel experienced adoption in the sense it was selected and used as a divine instrument to facilitate the coming of the Messiah (Rom. 9:4). However, each Jew is accountable to God for their own personal obedience (Rom. 1:16-17).
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