Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Context:
Adoption, in a biblical context, refers to the act of God by which believers are received into His family as His children. This concept is deeply rooted in the New Testament and is a significant aspect of Christian theology, illustrating the transformation of believers' status from outsiders to members of God's household.
Biblical References:
The concept of adoption is primarily found in the writings of the Apostle Paul. In
Romans 8:15, Paul writes, "For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" . This verse highlights the intimate relationship believers have with God, akin to that of a child with a loving parent.
In
Galatians 4:4-5, Paul further explains, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons" . Here, adoption is linked to the redemptive work of Christ, emphasizing that it is through Jesus' sacrifice that believers are brought into God's family.
Ephesians 1:5 also speaks to this divine act: "He predestined us for adoption as His sons through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of His will" . This passage underscores the intentional and gracious nature of God's plan for believers, highlighting adoption as part of His divine purpose.
Theological Significance:
Adoption is a profound expression of God's grace and love. It signifies a change in identity and status, where believers are no longer seen as slaves to sin but as children of God, with all the rights and privileges that come with this new identity. This includes being heirs to God's promises and having a personal relationship with Him.
The concept of adoption also reflects the inclusivity of the Gospel. It demonstrates that God's family is open to all who believe in Christ, regardless of their background or previous status. This is a powerful testament to the transformative power of faith and the universal reach of God's love.
Practical Implications:
For believers, understanding their adoption into God's family can have a profound impact on their spiritual lives. It provides assurance of God's love and acceptance, fostering a sense of belonging and identity. This understanding encourages believers to live in a manner worthy of their calling, reflecting the character of their heavenly Father.
Moreover, the concept of adoption can inspire Christians to engage in acts of love and service, mirroring the grace they have received. It can also motivate believers to support and participate in earthly adoption and foster care, seeing these acts as reflections of the spiritual adoption they have experienced.
Conclusion:
While the entry does not include a conclusion, the exploration of adoption in the Bible reveals its central role in the Christian understanding of salvation and identity. Through adoption, believers are assured of their place in God's family, a truth that shapes their lives and relationships both with God and with others.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To take by choice into relationship, as, child, heir, friend, citizen, etc.; esp. to take voluntarily (a child of other parents) to be in the place of, or as, one's own child.
2. (v. t.) To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally; to select and take or approve; as, to adopt the view or policy of another; these resolutions were adopted.
Greek
337. anaireo -- to take up, take away, make an end... From ana and (the active of) haireomai; to take up, ie
Adopt; by implication, to
take away (violently), ie Abolish, murder -- put to death, kill, slay, take
...5426. phroneo -- to have understanding, to think
... Word Origin from phren Definition to have understanding, to think NASB Word Usage
adopt...view (1), conceited* (1), concern (1), concerned (1), feel (1), have...
Library
It Will be Better toAdopt in this ChapterThe Same Process that...
... Chapter 16 It will be better toadopt in this chapter the same process that
appeared a? It will be better toadopt in this chapter...
Whether it is Fitting that God ShouldAdopt Sons?
... OF ADOPTION AS BEFITTING TO CHRIST (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is fitting that God
shouldadopt sons?... Therefore it seems unfitting that God shouldadopt....
Simon's DisciplesAdopt the Mysteries; Simon Meets St. Peter at...
... Book VI. Chapter XV."Simon's DisciplesAdopt the Mysteries; Simon Meets
St. Peter at Rome; Account of Simon's Closing Years. The...
The Motive that Led Men toAdopt Darwinism.
... THE MOTIVE THAT LED MEN TOADOPT DARWINISM. Before presenting the motive
that led some of the great minds in unbelief to advocate...
Whether it is Fitting that the Whole Trinity ShouldAdopt?
... OF ADOPTION AS BEFITTING TO CHRIST (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether it is fitting that the
whole Trinity shouldadopt?... Therefore in God the Father alone canadopt....
Those who are Taught the Civil Laws must notAdopt the Customs of...
... The Sixth Ecumenical Council. Canon LXXI. Those who are taught the civil
laws must notadopt the customs of the Gentiles? Those...
What Human Contrivances we are toAdopt, and what we are to Avoid.
... Book II. Chapter 26."What Human Contrivances We are toAdopt, and What
We are to Avoid. For certain institutions of men are in...
The Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning Jesus...
... Book VII. Chapter XX."The Heresy of Carpocrates; Wicked Doctrines Concerning
Jesus Christ; Practise Magical Arts;Adopt a Metempsychosis....
The Sethians Support their Doctrines by an Allegorical...
... Doctrines by an Allegorical Interpretation of Scripture; Their System Really Derived
from Natural Philosophers and from the Orphic Rites;Adopt the Homeric...
The Order and Process of Healing Our Heavenly Physician Does not...
... A Treatise on nature and grace, against pelagius; Chapter 31."The Order and Process
of Healing Our Heavenly Physician Does NotAdopt from the Sick Patient...
Thesaurus
Adopt (4 Occurrences)... 2. (vt) To take or receive as one's own what is not so naturally; to select and
take or approve; as, to
adopt the view or policy of another; these resolutions
...Take (11064 Occurrences)
... 9. (vt) To assume; toadopt; to acquire, as shape; to permit to one's self; to indulge
or engage in; to yield to; to have or feel; to enjoy or experience, as...
Adopted (10 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (imp. & pp) ofAdopt. 2. (a.) Taken by adoption; taken
up as one's own; as, an adopted son, citizen, country, word....
Literature (2 Occurrences)
... 6. Probably Written by the Essenes: By the method of exclusions we are led thus
toadopt the conclusion of Hilgenfeld, that they are the work of the Essenes....
Kindness (295 Occurrences)
... Men as citizens of the world shouldadopt an attitude of justice and mercy toward
all men, even slaves; but within the community of the "wise" there should be...
Jaaziel (1 Occurrence)
... Kittel and Curtis, following the Septuagint (Ozeiel), read "Uzziel," the name they
adopt for Aziel in 15:20, and for Jeiel in 16:5. Multi-Version Concordance...
Galatians (2 Occurrences)
... to incorporate the rites of Judaism with Christianity, and by their active zeal
had succeeded in inducing the majority of the churches toadopt their views (1:6...
Gamaliel (7 Occurrences)
... (2) A Pharisee who at the meeting of the "council" succeeded in persuading its members
toadopt a more reasonable course when they were incensed at the...
Father (11359 Occurrences)
... 10. (vt) To make one's self the father of; to beget. 11. (vt) To take as one's own
child; toadopt; hence, to assume as one's own work; to acknowledge one's...
Follow (267 Occurrences)
... 3. (vt) To accept as authority; toadopt the opinions of; to obey; to yield
to; to take as a rule of action; as, to follow good advice....
Resources
What does the Bible say about adoption? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible have to say about gay adoption? | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible say anything about acculturation? | GotQuestions.orgAdopt: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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