ADOPTION

1. Meaning of the word Adoption:
   1. A legal action by which a person takes into his family a child not his own, and usually of no kin to him, with the purpose of treating him as his own.
   2. This custom was very common among the Romans, and Paul uses this custom to illustrate our entering into the family of God.
2. The Bible shows that:
   1. Moses was adopted by Pharoah's daughter as her son - Ex. 2:10
   2. Esther was adopted by her uncle Mordecai - Esth. 2:7
   3. Paul speaks of the adoption of Israel by Jehovah, Rom. 9:4; he speaks of us, who believe in Jesus Christ, as being adopted into the heavenly family - Gal. 4:5; Eph. 1:4, 5
   4. This glorious truth ought to encourage us to come boldly to the throne of grace, crying, Abba, Father.

1. The doctrine of the adoption is based upon two basic facts:
   1. It indicates, plainly, man's alienation from God - Compare Isa. 59:1-3 with Eph. 2:11-15
   2. Sin separated man from God - Isa. 59:1-4; this is most important to know.
   3. Adam is called a son of God - Luke 1:38; but of the Jews the Lord says, "Ye are of your father the devil" - John 8:44
   4. Sin alienates from the life of God, makes us outlaws - Eph. 4:18; Col. 1:21
   5. That means that we are aliens to God's covenants, God's promises, and His people.
2. This condition makes the adoption into the family of God a necessity:
   1. It is impossible for man to have connection with God without being adopted by God.
   2. Neither can we enjoy the blessings of the kingdom of God without the adoption.

1. Restores a broken relationship EXAMPLES -
   1. The prodigal son and his return to his father's house illustrates very vividly the effect of our adoption - Luke 15:11-28
   2. The bringing in the Gentiles to share the blessings of the gospel with Israel - Eph. 2:11-16; Rom. 11:16-28
2. This adoption is made possible only:
   1. By Christ making peace with God by His sacrifice on the cross of Calvary - Rom. 5:1-5; Eph. 2:11-16
   2. When we accept Jesus Christ as our personal Saviour, we are accepted in the Beloved - Eph. 1:6
3. Seven special blessings come with our adoption:
   1. We become fellow heirs with Christ - Eph. 3:6; 2:19
   2. We have the forgiveness of our sins, and the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus - Eph. 1:7; Gal. 4:5
   3. We have received the Holy Spirit as a pledge on the part of God, that he has accepted us into His family - Eph. 1:13; Rom. 8:16, 17
   4. We are kept unto salvation by the power of God in Christ Jesus - Eph. 3:20, 21
   5. We have the promise of eternal life to be given to us at the second coming of Jesus Christ our Lord - John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:22-58
   6. We shall be on the new earth, and eat of the tree of life - Rev. 2:7; 22:1-6
   7. Finally, having been adopted into the family of God, God is willing to cast into the depths of the sea all our shortcomings - Mi. 7:18, 19; 2 Cor. 5:17
4. This knowledge of the inclusiveness of our adoption into the family of God ought to set us free:
   1. From the bondage of fear; we come boldly to the throne of grace crying Abba, Father - Compare Gal. 3:26-29; 4:6; Rom. 8:15 with 2 Cor. 5:17