What is adoption?
Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God.
Proofs
- Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, (1 John 3:1)
- whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God. (John 1:12; Romans 8:14–17)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Are some the sons of God by creation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: All the sons of God shouted for joy, (Job 38:7)
And others by an external profession?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let my Son go that he may serve me, (Exodus 4:23)
But are the saints so by adoption?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We receive the adoption of sons, (Galatians 4:5)
Is Christ the medium of our adoption?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are predestinated to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ, (Ephesians 1:5)
And the exemplar of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son, (Romans 8:29)
And the end of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That he might be the first born among many brethren, (Romans 8:29)
And is grace the motive of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It is according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, (Ephesians 1:5–6)
Section 2
Do the saints receive the nature of sons?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They are made partakers of a divine nature, (2 Peter 1:4)
And the spirit of sons?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, (Galatians 4:6)
And the provision of sons?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They will want no good thing, (Psalm 34:10)
And the inheritance of sons?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son then an heir of God, through Christ, (Galatians 4:7)
Section 3
Are God’s children the objects of his pity?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him, (Psalm 103:13)
And of his care?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I have nourished and brought up children, (Isaiah 1:2)
Are they strongly defended?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: His children shall have a place of refuge, (Proverbs 14:26)
And honourably attended?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: . He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways, (Psalm 91:11)
And if chastened, is it in love?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, (Hebrews 12:6)
Practical response
Should God’s children then go to him as a Father?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I will arise and go to my Father, (Luke 15:18)
And reverence him as a Father?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: If I be a Father, where is mine honour, (Malachi 1:6)
And imitate him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Be ye perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect, (Matthew 5:48)
And obey him?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As obedient children, (1 Peter 1:14)
And submit to his chastisement?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, (Hebrews 12:5)
Section 5
Have all the saints one Father?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Have we not all one Father? (Malachi 2:10)
Should they therefore love as brethren?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Add to godliness brotherly kindness, (2 Peter 1:7)
And is the neglect hereof a great sin?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother? (Malachi 2:10)