Theological glossary · FaithLogic

Adoption

God's act of receiving justified sinners as his own children, with the name, access, Spirit, discipline, and inheritance of sons — a benefit of union with Christ, the eternal Son.

Greek huiothesia, 'placing as a son' — a term from Greco-Roman legal practice, where an adopted son gained full status and inheritance rights.

John 1:12–13; Romans 8:14–17, 23; 9:4; Galatians 3:26; 4:4–7; Ephesians 1:5; 1 John 3:1–2.

Emphasised in Reformed theology (Westminster Confession ch. 12) as a distinct benefit alongside justification — justification gives right standing, adoption gives family status and relationship. The 'Spirit of adoption' by whom believers cry 'Abba, Father' (Rom 8:15) grounds Christian assurance and prayer.

Believers are sons 'in the Son' — they share, by grace, the sonship Christ has by nature; adoption will be consummated at 'the redemption of our bodies' (Rom 8:23).

Whether adoption is a distinct act or an aspect of justification/regeneration; how it relates to the 'new birth' (regeneration changes nature, adoption changes status).

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