The Doctrine of Adoption
What does it mean to be adopted by God?
Let’s talk about it.
Key Takeaways
The doctrine of adoption is often misunderstood in systematic theologies, with many focusing only on the past tense reality of adoption and neglecting the future aspect.
Adoption is both an already and not yet reality for believers. They are already children of God, but they are also eagerly awaiting the fullness of their adoption in the future.
The spirit of adoption is not synonymous with the Holy Spirit, but rather refers to the internal disposition and inclination to walk as a child of God.
Believers have already received the Holy Spirit as a down payment of their inheritance, but the fullness of their inheritance will be realized in the future, including the redemption of their bodies. Adoption is a transformative process where believers are being conformed into the image of Christ and growing in maturity.
There is a distinction between being a child and being a fully mature heir, similar to the concept of a bar mitzvah.
The interpretation of adoption in Galatians 4 and Romans 8 differs, with Galatians emphasizing the past tense nature of adoption in the Old Testament and Romans highlighting the future aspect of adoption.
It is important to avoid building theological castles and missing the plain meaning of scripture.
The concept of adoption in the Christian faith is complex and rich, encompassing both past and future aspects. Adoption has both an already and not yet aspect, and it is important to appreciate and strive for both.
The present reality of being children of God should not be taken for granted, but we should also eagerly anticipate the future aspect of adoption.
The concept of adoption is related to other theological concepts such as predestination and corporate election, and different perspectives exist on these topics.
It is important to think rightly about adoption and remain faithful until the end, recognizing the seriousness of our salvation.