A BRIEF LOOK AT SOME OF THE KEY WORDS IN THE BIBLE
Bible Corner - No. 3 ADOPTION
Adoption in Roman society was always treated most seriously, as it meant the passing of a person (not necessarily a child) out of the absolute authority of one father or slave owner into the absolute authority of someone else - the adoptive father. A special ceremony was involved where, in the presence of seven witnesses, the person to be adopted was symbolically bought and sold three times. From then on, in the eyes of the law, the adopted person had no 'past' and was treated as 'new' in every way; for example all his debts were cancelled and he was granted equal rights of inheritance with the other members of his new family.
Paul found the idea of adoption a wonderful analogy of what happens when people become Christians. They are adopted by God into the family of which he is the Father. All their debts of wrong-doing are wiped out; all the spiritual riches of their Elder Brother are at their disposal and they become co-heirs with him of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Too good to be true? No, says Paul: the evidence of our adoption is there every time we trustingly turn to God as our Father. We can only do this, he says, because the Holy Spirit is both the Key Witness to our adoption and the one who prompts us to pray.
Relevant verses (best read in conjunction with the Authorised Version): Romans 8:13-17, Galations 4:4-7, Ephesians 1:4-6
Howard Rady
Bible Corner Article Archive...
To view other articles click here