Adoption: The giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who
is not a son by birth.1. Natural. Thus Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses
(Exodus 2:10) and
Mordecai Esther
(Esther 2:7)
2. National. God adopted Israel
(Exodus 4:22; Deuteronomy 7:6; Hos 11:1; Romans 9:4)
3. Spiritual. An act of God's grace by which he brings men into the
number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all
the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the
new relations into which the believer is introduced by
justification, and the privileges connected therewith, viz., an
interest in God's peculiar love
(John 17:23; Romans 5:5-8) a spiritual
nature
(2 Peter 1:4; John 1:13) the possession of a spirit becoming
children of God
(1 Peter 1:14; 2 John 1:4; Romans 8:15-21; Galatians 5:1; Hebrews 2:15)
present protection, consolation, supplies
(Luke 12:27-32; John 14:18)
(1 Corinthians 3:21-23; 2 Corinthians 1:4) fatherly chastisements
(Hebrews 12:5-11) and
a future glorious inheritance
(Romans 8:17,23; James 2:5; Philippians 3:21)
