“Adoption”
As set forth in God’s inspired WordBy Pastor F. M. Riley
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God,” 1 John 5:13.
Introduction
The English word, “adoption,” occurs five times in God’s Word, and only in the New Testament. It is a translation of the Greek word, “huiothesia.” This Greek word literally means, “adoption, adoption as sons; a. that relationship which God was pleased to establish between Himself and the Israelites in preference to all other nations; b. the nature and condition of the true disciples of Christ, who by receiving the Spirit of God into their souls become the sons of God.” See Thayer’s Greek Lexicon, page 634, Strong’s No. 5206.
While most of God’s people [true believers] today understand the meaning of the English words, adopt, adopted, and adoption, very few have any real comprehension of “adoption” as it is set forth in the Scriptures. In this study I want to share Biblical truth about “adoption” with our readers. What follows should make every true believer rejoice and give praise to the Lord.A Scriptural Enigma
The Lord Jesus Christ Himself said, “…..Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…..Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit,” John 3:3-8.
The Greek words translated as “born again” are the words “gennao anothen.” These words literally mean, “born from above.” See Strong’s No’s 1080 and 509. All true believers experience a spiritual birth at that point in their life when they truly repent of sin and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their own personal Savior. This truth is verified repeatedly in the New Testament. See John 1:12-13, 1 Corinthians 15:8, 1 Peter 1:23, 1 John 2:29, 3:9, 4:7, 5:1, 5:4, and 5:18.
The spiritual birth is just as real as the physical birth, and is absolutely necessary for salvation, John 3:7; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 2:3. The Lord Himself said that a person without the “new birth” can neither “see” [Greek...eido…discern; understand] nor “enter into the kingdom of God,” John 3:3-5. It is then the “new birth” that ushers the truly repentant believer into God’s [spiritual] Kingdom, and brings spiritual discernment and understanding through the Holy Spirit that indwells such repentant believers, John 14:16-17; Romans 5:1-5; 1 Corinthians 2:12-14. It is also through the “new birth” that one becomes a “son of God” and a part of the “family of God,” John 3:5-6; Romans 8:14-17; Ephesians 3:14-15. It is then a well established Biblical truth that a person is “born” into God’s family through a spiritual “birth.”But this truth presents an enigma!
Since it is obvious that repentant believers are “born” into God’s family, then why does God’s Word also teach that repentant believers are “adopted” into God’s family? See Romans 8:14-15, Galatians 4:5-6, and Ephesians 1:3-5. This appears to be a contradiction. But is it? Are repentant believers “born” into the family of God, as Christ declares in John 3, or do they become children of God by “adoption,” as stated in Romans, Galatians, and Ephesians? Is there a contradiction here? Let’s see…..The Law of the Medes and Persians
History records that the ancient Medes and Persians believed and taught that their rulers (kings) had descended from “the gods.” Therefore, all the laws that the Medes and Persians lived by were either issued directly by their king, or received his direct seal of approval. Their laws were then regarded as “infallible” and “unchangeable.” Their laws could never be altered. In the event a law didn’t prove to be wise or beneficial, the rulers simply superseded it with a higher law, but never abolished or altered it. This protected their image of “infallibility.”
If any of our readers have never heard this before, and think it sounds like a fanciful theory, then you haven’t been studying your Bible very carefully. The inspired Word of God contains ample proof of what I have just presented. See for yourself…..In the Book of Esther it is recorded that King Ahasuerus, upon the counsel of his advisors, changed wives. In Esther 1:19 his “wise men” advised, “If it please the king, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the king give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.” It was through the passing of this law that could not be altered that Esther became the Queen.
Then in Esther 8:8, after Queen Esther had appealed to King Ahasuerus to spare her people, the king answered her by saying, “Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the king’s name, and seal it with the king’s ring: for the writing which is written in the king’s name, and sealed with the king’s ring, may no man reverse.” Now Esther could not abolish the previous law that decreed the destruction of the Jews, for that law was unalterable, but she could write another law superseding the previous law, which would allow the Jews to defend themselves even to the point of destroying all who would come against them. And that is what Queen Esther did!Then in Daniel 6 it is recorded that a conspiracy to destroy Daniel was brought before King Darius. The king was urged to sign a decree (law) forbidding anyone to pray to any other god but the king himself for thirty days. How flattering to the king! The king’s advisors urged him, “Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not,” Daniel 6:8. Here again is Scriptural verification that the laws of the Medes and Persians were considered infallible and were never altered.
The wicked enemies of Daniel then used the law issued by King Darius to accuse Daniel before the king. The king admitted that Daniel had broken his law, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not,” Daniel 6:12. When King Darius realized that he had been made a fool of by Daniel’s accusers, he then “set his heart on Daniel to deliver him,” Daniel 6:14. But Daniel’s accusers reminded the king, “Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed,” Daniel 6:15.
The Word of God then contains five references that prove that the laws of the Medes and Persians were considered infallible and unalterable. But what does this have to do with the Biblical doctrine of “adoption?” Let’s see…..The Family In Ancient Media-Persia
Strange as it may seem in our western civilization, the ancient Medes and Persians had a law that permitted them to legally and morally disown, disinherit, and sever all relationship with their own children.
In other words, if one (or more) of their children was disobedient, rebellious, wicked, and incorrigible, the father could go before the judges and actually disown the child, severing all relationship to the child permanently. From that day forward that child would cease to be a member of that family for ever. That the Medes and Persians had such a law is a matter of record, and can be documented by any serious study of the laws of ancient Media-Persia.
On the other hand, the Medes and Persians also had another “family” law. If the parents in a family had such a deep heartfelt love for their child (or children) that they never wanted to even risk anything coming between them and the child, the father could go before the judges and legally “adopt” their own child (or children). Since the law of the Medes and Persians never altered, then once they had “adopted” their own child, born into their own family, that child could never be disowned or disinherited. That child would be their child for ever. Glory!The Scriptural Significance
We all know that when we were born into this world, our birth was both physical and by water, Job 38:8, John 3:5-6. But the Lord Jesus Himself pointed out that just being physically alive does not qualify us to either “see” or “enter” God’s Kingdom. The Lord said that we “must be born again,” John 3:3-7.
Before we receive Christ as our personal Savior, we are exactly like a child born into a Media-Persian family. Just as a Media-Persian child might prove to be rebellious and wicked, the Scripture says of all the children of men…..
Our conception…..”Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me,” Psalm 51:5.
Our birth…..”The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies,” Psalm 58:3.
Our nature…..”…..and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others,” Ephesians 2:3.
Our heart…..”And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually,” Genesis 6:5.
“…..for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth…,” Genesis 8:21.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9.
Our moral righteousness…..”But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away,” Isaiah 64:6.
Our practice…..”For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not,” Ecclesiastes 7:20.
“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way….,” Isaiah 53:6.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
“Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,” Ephesians 2:2.
Our spiritual condition…..”And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins,” Ephesians 2:1.
Our hope…..”That at the time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world,” Ephesians 2:12.These Scriptures, and others that I could present, clearly reveal the depraved, wicked, lost condition of every person who has not personally received Jesus Christ as their Savior. No where do the Scriptures indicate that such people would ever seek after God in their natural, depraved state of being. Rather, it is God, who in compassion, love, mercy, and grace seeks to bring the lost to a saving knowledge of Christ, 1 John 4:10. God does this through the preaching and teaching of His Word, and the convicting and enlightening power of His Holy Spirit, Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 1:18; John 16:7-11; 1 Corinthians 2:11-14. When a lost, depraved sinner is made aware of their condition through God’s Word, being convicted of the truth of it by God’s Holy Spirit, then and only then is that person in a position to cry out to God to have mercy upon their sin sick soul and save them from their sin.
But let me remind our readers, “…..for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7. Folks, God can’t be fooled! Just making a “profession” counts for nothing, unless that profession truly comes from the heart. God knows what is in the heart of every person who claims to be seeking Him. You don’t play games with God!
Some of our readers may not yet be aware that there are at least two types of lost, sinful, depraved people.
First, there are those, who, even though they are lost in sin, have a heart that is inwardly crying out for something better than their sinful life, Matthew 5:6. Because we are limited to the “outward appearance,” we may not know who these people are, or even recognize their need, but our Lord knows! It may take years, many heartaches and trials, perhaps even a tragedy or death, but the Lord knows what is in the heart, and He will ultimately bring these who are sincerely seeking Him to “…..repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ,” Acts 20:21. And you, child of God, may be the very person the Lord uses to tell that lost soul about Jesus, and show them “the way” of salvation. What an incentive to God’s people [true believers] to witness, Acts 1:8. Someone is going to get the privilege of leading these sincere seekers to the Lord Jesus Christ, where they will be “born again,” John 3:3-8. Wouldn’t you like for it to be you?
Second, there are those who simply pretend to be seeking God’s will for their lives. But inwardly they don’t really want the Lord or His righteousness. Regardless of what they “profess” or display outwardly, their heart is in rebellion against God, and they hate the restrictions placed upon them by God’s Word, Matthew 15:8. In complete disregard of Matthew 4:4, these people use only that portion of God’s Word that they feel is necessary to accomplish their own selfish, wicked purposes. Inwardly they acknowledge no “master” but themselves, and no destiny but that of their own choosing. In this day of apostasy, the churches are filled with such “religionists.” Such people may be able to fool others, by they haven’t fooled God. According to God’s Word, many dedicated “religionists”are nothing more than atheists at heart, John 3:19-20; 5:37-40; 8:38-47; 1 Corinthians 15:34; 2 Corinthians 11:12-13; Jude 4. What will happen to them? Just as the Media-Persian parents could disown, disinherit, and sever all relationship for ever with an incorrigible child, so the Divine Creator and Judge can and will judge, disown, disinherit, and sever all relationship with such incorrigible sinners for ever, Matthew 7:21-23; 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9; Revelation 20:15.The “Born Again” Ones
Now let’s take a closer look at those sincere seekers who do truly repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior. What happens to them?
First, at the exact instant that the truly repentant sinner receives the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, that person is “born again” [born from above] by the power of the Holy Spirit of God, John 3:5-6; 1 Peter 1:22-23. The “new birth” places the truly repentant believer into the family of God as a new born child of God. Praise the Lord!
Second, at that same instant the truly repentant believer becomes “a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new,” 2 Corinthians 5:17. See also Galatians 6:15. This means that a complete “transformation” has taken place in the soul of the believer. True believers are no long the same people inwardly that they were before they received Christ.
Third, at that same instant the true believer is given “everlasting life,” John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 10:26-28; 1 John 5:11-13. I realize that some of our readers do not believe in “eternal security,” but that doesn’t change God’s Word, not one iota. God’s Word just keeps right on saying that the true believer has “everlasting life.” After all, what other kind of “salvation” is there? If it were true that a saved person could lose their salvation, then what were they saved from? Certainly not from sin! How could they have been saved from sin, if sin could still overcome them and send them to hell? Well…??
Folks, who is it that does the saving of the soul? The Scriptures plainly state, “But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord…,” Psalm 37:39. “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no Savior,” Isaiah 43:11. “…..for there is no Savior beside Me,” Hosea 13:4. See also Psalm 3:8, 62:1-2, Isaiah 45:15, 45:21-22, and many similar passages plainly stating and teaching that salvation is of the Lord. It is then firmly established in God’s Word that it is the Lord who does the saving of the soul. Now look at Ecclesiastes 3:14, “I know that whatsover God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him.” How much plainer can this truth be stated?
Folks, I have not given you my word here. I have given you God’s Word! If some of our readers want to be contentious about it, and call Almighty God a liar, that is their problem and they will have to deal with it when they stand face to face with the Lord. The Scriptures are quite plain! God gives truly repentant believers “everlasting life,” John 5:24. If you are a true believer, then you were given “everlasting life” the very instant you received Christ as your personal Savior. Glory!
Fourth, all true believers are also “sealed” by God’s Holy Spirit at the very instant they receive Christ. The Lord promised that He would give every true believer His Holy Spirit to indwell them, John 14:16-17; 16:7-15. And the Lord kept His promise, John 20:22; Romans 5:1-5.
The indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit in every true believer is God’s “earnest” [earnest money; guarantee] signifying that the agreement reached between God and the truly repentant believer will be fulfilled to the letter. Praise the Lord!
“Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts,” 2 Corinthians 1:22.
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the Word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14.
“And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30.
If these Scripture passages are carefully studied, it is obvious that the Holy Spirit indwells the true believer “for ever,” John 14:16, and that the true believer is “sealed unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30. Regardless of how some may “interpret” these passages, both of these latter passages, when taken for what they actually and literally say, plainly teach that nothing can, nor ever will, happen to truly repentant believers that will “unseal” them, and keep the agreement between God and such believers from being fulfilled to the letter. Praise the Lord!
Folks, the only way true believers could ever become “unsealed” would be for Satan to overcome the Holy Spirit and cast Him out of the believer, Matthew 12:29. Do you really believe that Satan is stronger than the Holy Spirit of the living God? Be careful how you answer! Matthew 12:32 is still in the Bible. So is 1 John 4:4.
It is then obvious that when truly repentant believers are “sealed” by the Holy Spirit, they are “sealed” for time and for eternity. How then could a true believer ever again become “lost in sin?” Well…??
Thus far I have listed four things that instantly take place when a truly repentant believer places their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, receiving Him as their Savior. These four things are summarized as follows…..
When a truly repentant believer receives Christ, they are instantly…..
- “born again,” John 3:3-8.
- Created a “new creature” in Christ Jesus, 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15.
- Given “everlasting life,” John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 1 John 5:11-13.
- “sealed” by the Holy Spirit of God, 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
These passages then make it evident that the true believer is a child of God, in the family of God, and eternally belongs to God. Hallelujah!
Oh, but what happens if a true believer becomes rebellious and lives unrighteously after they have been saved? Won’t they then lose their salvation and go to hell? Absolutely not! Why not? Because there is a fifth thing that God does when a truly repentant believer receives Christ.The Love of God Revealed in “Adoption”
Folks, I wholeheartedly believe in the Divine Inspiration of God’s Word, without apology to anyone. It is therefore more than coincidence, that when the Apostle Paul spoke of “adoption,” he was inspired to use the exact word that had been used by the ancient Media-Persians when they “adopted” their own children “according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.” Praise the Lord!
The root origin of the Greek word, “huiothesia,” came from ancient Media-Persia. Over the centuries the word was gradually assimilated into the Greek language. Any good study on the roots of Biblical words will confirm this statement.
What then is the Scriptural (and spiritual) significance of the Apostle Paul using this exact word [huiothesia] when speaking about “adoption?” Let’s see…..
The first time the word “adoption” [huiothesia] occurs in God’s Word is in Romans 8:15, “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.” The context in which this verse occurs is clearly talking about true believers being indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit, the same Holy Spirit that has “sealed” God’s people “unto the day of redemption,” Ephesians 4:30. This verse clearly states that “the spirit” that indwells the true believer is not “the spirit of bondage again to fear.” What does this mean?
We are told in Hebrews 2:14-15 that those who lived during the Old Testament dispensation “were all their lifetime subject to bondage” because of their “fear of death.” Throughout their lifetime those people labored under “bondage,” believing that if they didn’t “measure up” to the demands of the Law, they would eternally perish.
Sadly, that is what many “professing Christians” still believe today. And just like those who lived under the dispensation of Law, these today daily labor under “bondage,” trying hard to accumulate enough “good works” to entitle them to go to Heaven when they die. God have mercy! Folks, Ephesians 2:8-10 and Titus 3:5-6 are still in the Bible. Read them and believe!
Hebrews 2:14-15 plainly tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ “measured up” in our place, and by His death on the cross [the perfect sacrifice], once and for all “delivered” all who will believe from such “bondage.” Glory! Praise the Lord!
True believers then, according to Romans 8:15, “…have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear.” What Spirit have God’s people received? We have “…received the Spirit of adoption…” [huiothesia]. And what does this Spirit do for the true believer? It gives such assurance of salvation that we cry out, “Abba, Father,” knowing in our heart that God is indeed our God and our Father. Praise the Lord!
Just as the Media-Persian parents who truly loved their children, legally “adopted” their own children under a law that could never be altered, so our gracious God has “adopted” every “born again” child of His under the unalterable laws of His Word. Glory!
This means that God’s people [true believers] now have double security. We that are saved have been “born” into God’s family through the “new birth,” and then “adopted” into God’s family by His unalterable Law. Glory! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord!
The other four passages that contain the word “adoption” are all teaching exactly the same truth as this first passage, with only a little variation due to the particular message the Lord wanted to give His people in each passage.The second time the word “adoption” is used is found in Romans 8:23, “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.”
This verse, as well as the context in which it occurs, indicates that the “adoption” under consideration here is the “adoption” of the “born again” believer’s body. The verse states that true believers are “waiting for” this to take place. The verse makes it obvious that it has not yet occurred, but that it is certain to occur. Glory!
Folks, when the Lord saves a truly repentant believer, it is the soul that has been saved. The body has not yet been saved. That is why the Scriptures point out that the “born again” believer presently has two natures. Our inward nature is that which is “born of God” and cannot sin, 1 John 3:9. But our outward nature is the fleshly body in which we presently live, and it is still a body of sin, Romans 7:14-18. Our body has not yet been redeemed. These two natures are in daily constant warfare, struggling against each other, Romans 7:19-25; Galatians 5:16-18. Which nature the believer yields to at any given moment determines whether we are doing that which is right and good, or whether we need to go to God and confess our weaknesses and sins, 1 John 1:3-10. It is specifically because of these two natures struggling within us, that we “groan with ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” See also 2 Corinthians 5:1-5, noting especially verse 5, “Now He that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.” Just as the Lord has “adopted” the soul of the “born again” believer, He is also going to “adopt” the body of the “born again” believer, and He has given us the “earnest of the Spirit” as our guarantee that it is going to happen. Glory! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah!
The third time the word “adoption” occurs in God’s Word is in Romans 9:4-5, “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.”
In relation to the Gentiles, this is one of the most important and revealing passages in the Word of God. Sadly, very few Gentile “Christians” have grasped what this passage is saying. If they had, there would not be such “anti-Semitism” (Jew hating) among those who “profess” to be “Christians.”
What these verses, given by Divine Inspiration, plainly state, is that everything the Gentile believer has been given, came to us through the Jews. The law of “adoption” was given to the Jews. The promised “glory” was to be bestowed upon the Jews. God made “the covenants” with the Jews.
This latter statement will surprise many of our readers, especially the preachers who have taught for years that the “new covenant” of the Lord’s Supper was given to the Gentile church. Wrong! Nearly 700 years before the first coming of Christ, the Lord inspired Jeremiah to write, “Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah,” Jeremiah 31:31. See also Hebrews 8:8-10 and 10:16-17. At the time the Lord instituted the Lord’s Supper, He specifically stated, “…..This cup is the new testament [covenant] in My blood, which is shed for you,” Luke 22:20. Who was the Lord instituting this “new covenant” with on this occasion? The Jewish church! Of whom Paul wrote, “Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace,” Romans 11:5. Those Jewish believers, with whom Christ instituted His church, and to whom He gave the “new covenant,” still represented the “Israel of God.” The Lord had not (and has not) “cast away His people,” Romans 11:1. The “new covenant” was promised to the Jews, and the Lord made it with the Jews. The Lord God Almighty has never made any covenant with the Gentiles. Just as the Scriptures clearly state, “the covenants” belong to Israel.
This is also true of “the Law.” It was given to the Jews. And “the service.” And “the promises.” The Jews alone were chosen to serve the Lord. No promises were made by God to the Gentile nations of the earth. All the promises were made to the Jews.
And “the fathers.” What Gentile “father” did God choose to make into a “great nation” and a blessing to “all the families of the earth”? Absolutely none! It was “the fathers” of the Jews that God chose.
Folks, none of the things listed in Romans 9:4-5 were given to the Gentiles. They all were given to the Jews, and only to the Jews. Period!
This being the case, plainly stated in Romans 9:4-5 for those who are willing to believe God’s Word, then where do the Gentiles come into the picture? If all of these things were given only to the Jews, then it looks like we Gentiles are completely cut off from God. Not hardly! This is where God’s GRACE is magnified!
The fourth time the word “adoption” occurs in God’s Word is in Galatians 4:4-6. “But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law [the Jews], that we [Gentiles] might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye [Gentiles] are sons [being adopted], God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.” Glory to God! Hallelujah! Praise the Lord! Folks, by the GRACE of God, we Gentile believers have been “adopted” into “the commonwealth of Israel,” Ephesians 2:12.
“Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without
God in the world:
But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
For He is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Having abolished in His flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in Himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
And that He might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
For through Him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;…,” Ephesians 2:11-19.
Glory! Glory! Glory! Praise the Lord! Folks, we true believers of the Gentiles, by the GRACE of God, have been “adopted” into “the commonwealth of Israel.” This means that those blessings that were given only to Israel, as clearly stated in Romans 9:4-5, are now available to every truly repentant Gentile believer. By the GRACE of God! Glory! Hallelujah! Praise the name of the Lord Jesus! What a Savior!
That this is a permanent condition for all true believers among the Gentiles is beyond doubt. Just as the ancient Media-Persian parents “adopted” their own children according to their unalterable law, so Almighty God has “adopted” His own “born again” Gentile believers into “the commonwealth of Israel” according to His unalterable laws. Glory! How very grateful every true believer ought to be for the GRACE of God, and for the Jews, through whom the Savior brought that grace unto us. Praise the Lord! How can a real Christian not love the Jews? Well…??The fifth and final time the word “adoption” occurs in God’s Word is found in Ephesians 1:3-6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love:
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,
To the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the Beloved.”
What a passage! These verses make it clear that the “adoption” of Gentile believers was not an after thought with God. In His great foreknowledge, He determined even from “before the foundation of the world” to extend His mercy and grace to the “sinners of the Gentiles,” Galatians 2:15. God loved and chose the Jews as His own special race of people in which He would reveal His glory to the nations, [Exodus 19:5-6; Deuteronomy 7:6; 14:2; 26:18-19] but His heart was also filled with love and compassion for the Gentiles. Even “before the foundation of the world” God determined that those Gentiles who would truly repent and believe would be “adopted” into His family right along with the Jewish believers. Romans 11:32 tells us that “…..God hath concluded them all [Jew and Gentile] in unbelief, that He might have mercy upon all.”
Glory! How exceedingly wonderful is God’s love towards lost sinners. Oh, that all men would lift up their hearts and voices in praise to His glorious Name!The Enigma Resolved
At the beginning of this study I pointed out what seems, at first glance, to be an enigma in the Scriptures. Certain Scriptures clearly teach that truly repentant believers are “born” into God’s family and kingdom through the “new birth.” Yet other Scriptures just as clearly teach that we are “adopted” into God’s family and kingdom. To the casual reader of God’s Word, this appears to be a contradiction. Which is right? Do we enter God’s family and kingdom by being “born again,” or by being “adopted”?
If you have carefully read this study, then it should be obvious that there is no contradiction in God’s Word at all. Both statements in God’s Word are true. The truly repentant believer is “born again” into the family and kingdom of God. But then, just as the ancient Media-Persian parents “adopted” their own children, so God has “adopted” every one of His “born again” children, giving to them double security. No true believer will ever be “lost” again. God’s children are saved with an “everlasting” salvation.Conclusion
In this study I have demonstrated by the Scriptures that true believers, upon receiving Christ as their personal Savior, are:
1. “Born again,” John 3:3-8.
- Created a “new creation,” 2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 6:15.
3. Given “everlasting life,” John 3:16; 3:36; 5:24; 6:47; 10:27-28; 1 John 5:11-
4. “Sealed” by God’s Holy Spirit, 2 Corinthians 1:22; Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
5. “Adopted” according to the infallible and unalterable laws of Almighty God, Romans 8:15; 8:23; 9:4-5; Galatians 4:4-6; Ephesians 1:3-6.These passages make it clear that God’s people [true believers] are as sure for Heaven as if they were already there. Read Ephesians 2:5-6.
Now the question I want to ask our readers is this: “Are you a true believer?”
I am not asking if you are a church member. Thousands of church members through the centuries have died and gone to hell, and thousands more today are headed for hell. Being a church member does not save anyone. Read Matthew 7:21-23.I am not asking if you have been baptized [dipped, poured, or sprinkled]. The waters of baptism do not wash away sin, nor put out the fires of hell. Read Acts 8:9-23 and 1 Peter 3:20-21.
I am not asking if you do your best to live a good life. Your moral character is worthless in achieving God’s righteousness. Read Isaiah 64:6, Romans 10:3-4, Ephesians 2:8-9, and Titus 3:5.
What I am asking is, “Do you know, positively know, that you have truly received the Lord Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, and the Lord of your life? Do you have real assurance that your sin has been covered by His precious blood? Do you know that you have passed from death unto life? Are you certain that you truly are a “born again” child of God? Do you have real assurance that Heaven is your home, and that you will spend eternity with the Lord and His people?” This is what I am asking! The beloved John wrote:
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God,” 1 John 5:13.
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This ministry is supported solely by the freewill offerings of those who feel led of the Lord to help us send forth God’s wonderful Word.
All comments, questions, or correspondence should be addressed to:Last Call Gospel Ministry
Pastor F. M. Riley
3900 Clark Lane Lot 178
Columbia, Missouri 65202Our email address is: fmrglbd5@yahoo.com or fmrglbd5@aol.com
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