We begin with a term which arises in the context of two life settings: the family and the law. In its most ordinary usage adoption points to what a married couple chooses to do to bring a child biologically not their own into their home. The husband and wife contact an appropriate agency to secure for themselves a boy and/or girl who will become legally their own son and/or daughter. The family is the location for adoption, while the law provides the definitions for the relationships between parents and children.

In theology adoption is also used to designate one important link in the "golden chain of salvation." Other beautiful doctrines that compose that chain include regeneration and conversion, faith and repentance, justification and sanctification. Far too often adoption is slighted or neglected in discussions of our redemption.

Providing some background to adoption is the truth that Israel was chosen by God out of all the nations to be His own people. Israel is God's "firstborn son" (Exodus 4:24; Isa. 1:2; Jer. 3:19; Hosea 11:1) not by nature but by sovereign grace and election. This Father/son relationship is then defined by the covenant particularly by the Mosaic covenant in the Old Testament era (cf. Exodus 19:4ff).

David and his sons are also adopted by the LORD to be His sons (2 Sam. 7:14; 1 Chr. 28:6; Ps. 2:7; 89:19). God loved the Davidic dynasty for the sake or the Christ, great David's greater Son. Even here however we see that the sons of David were required to obey the covenant in order to receive the blessing of the LORD.

This provides a redemptive-historical background for the fuller New Testament development of the doctrine of adoption. The Greek term for adoption occurs only in Pauline writings namely Romans 8:14-23; 9:4; Gal. 4:5; and Eph. 1:5. Reading these passages in their respective contexts quickly conveys to the reader the wonderful truth that this adoption is rooted in God's predestinating decree but it is then experientially brought into our hearts by the operation of the Holy Spirit. This then enables us to cry out through the Spirit "Abba, Father." Adoption by grace means that God's people are truly His children and therefore heirs with Christ destined to receive the inheritance in God's perfect plan. Our redemption is thus more than a change in legal status; it is also the personal reception of God's Spirit who draws us close to God the Father for the sake of the work of Jesus Christ, God's Son.

The Reformed confessions draw our attention to adoption as well. In the Heidelberg Catechism, Lord's Day 13 we are taught, "Christ alone is the eternal, natural Son of God," while we however "are adopted children of God — adopted by grace through Christ." The Westminster Confession of Faith (WCF) provides a fuller statement of the teaching. Chapter 12 reads:

All those that are justified God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption; by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God; have His name put upon them; receive the Spirit of adoption; have access to the throne of grace with boldness; are enabled to cry; Abba, Father; are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a father; yet never cast off but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises as heirs of everlasting salvation.

The New Testament passages mentioned above, as well as the WCF, chapter 12, point out that adoption is not only rooted in God's decree and is a present experience through the Spirit, but it also points forward to the future in that the redemption of our bodies is one of the blessings that God's adopted children may expect. "In adoption one is restored to favor with God and given the opportunity to claim all the benefits provided by the loving Father" (Millard Erickson, Christian Theology, p. 905).

With such a beautiful teaching from Scripture, one cannot claim that the Christian's redemption is cold or impersonal, nor is it merely a legal transaction. Out of His electing love, the Father brings us into His home — forever! "The sure provisions of my God attend me all my days; O may Your house be my abode and all my work be praise. There would I find a settled rest, while others go and come — no more a stranger or a guest, but like a child at home" (Isaac Watts versification of Psalm 23).