“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.” – Galatians 4:5
“For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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.” – Rom. 8:14-15
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” – Gal. 4:6-7
“Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?” – Rom. 8:21-24
The believer is in union with Jesus Christ upon salvation (Gal. 3:26-27). Jesus Christ is the Son of God (an adult son). So, in union with Him, we are positioned an adult sons also, although we may be babe (1 Cor. 3) or child by experience.
The Greek and Roman Culture
To the people living in the predominantly Greek and Roman culture of the 1st Century A.D., the word “Adoption” would bring to mind the ceremony of toga virilis, in which a 14-year-old boy went through an investiture ceremony with the adult male members of his family. At this ceremony, speeches of challenge to the youth would be made, and offerings would be made to the gods. Then, the boy would stand in the center of the group and take off the child’s garment that he wore. A new adult man’s robe, or toga, would be placed on him. This was the toga virilis, the “robe of a man”. At this time, the 14-year-old was given adult privileges and responsibilities. He could conduct business in his own name, could buy and sell property, could marry, could vote in the Assembly, and in many other ways could carry on as an adult citizen. Of course, he was not mature enough or wise enough to exercise all of the privileges he had; and he was not experienced enough to live up to all of the responsibilities. But the seriousness of his position as a citizen was impressed on him; and if he was intelligent and hardworking, he would grow up to be an adult having integrity and character.
The Application
The spiritual use of the word “adoption” signifies the placing of a new born child, in the spiritual sense, into the position of privilege and responsibility attached to an adult son (an heir). The question arises as to why a naturally born child needs to be adopted. Are we not, after all, “born again”? It is here that the true meaning of “adoption” comes in; because in the New Testament, “Adoption” is not so much a word for relationship but of a position. It speaks not of how the believer became a member of the family of God but of the fact he already is a member because of regeneration.
So “adoption” refers to a positional advance. The new believer is advanced positionally to his majority, even though at the time of salvation he is spiritually immature, a “babe in Christ”.
Because spiritual adoption takes place at the moment of salvation, positionally, there is really no period of childhood experience recognized for believers. The Church is even called “the one new man” (Ephesians 2:15). The Christian has been placed into the privilege, liberty, duty of a full-grown adult, and giving him access to all the privileges that go with it. Spiritual adoption imposes the same way of life on all children of God. This requirement is reasonable because the Christian life is to be lived in the sustaining and upholding power of the Holy Spirit. And this provision is available as much for one person as for another.
The Blessings of Adoption:
1. The believer has a Father that loves him. – I Jn. 4
2. He has Father that cares for him. – I Pet. 5:7
3. He has a Father that protects him. – Ro. 8:31
4. He has a Fatherly chastisement. – Heb. 12:5-11
5. He has the Father’s inheritance. – I Pet. 1:3-5
6. He has a Father that promises to never leave him. – Heb. 13-5-6
The Privileges of Adoption:
1. Family Name – I Jn. 3:1, Jn. 1:12
2. Family Likeness – Rom. 8:29, I Jn. 3:2
3. Family Love – Jn. 13:35
4. Family Relationship – Rom 8:15, Gal. 4:6
5. Family Service – Jn. 14:23-24, 15:8
Evangelist Rodgie Quirante
The Workman’s Treasure Study Series