Adoption into God’s family.

[Frank T]

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ADOPTION
In what way is a Christian part of God’s family?
BIBLE READING: Romans 8:1-17
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Romans 8:16 , niv)
God adopts us into his family through Christ. Paul uses the image of adoption to illustrate the believer’s new relationship with God. In Roman culture, the adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all the rights of a legitimate child in his new family. He became a full heir to his new father’s estate. Likewise, when a person becomes a Christian, he gains all the privileges and responsibilities of a child in God’s family. One of these outstanding privileges is being led by the Spirit (see Galatians 4:1-7 ). We may not always feel like we belong to God, but the Holy Spirit is our witness. His inward presence reminds us of who we are and encourages us with his love (Romans 5:5 ).
BIBLE READING: Ephesians 1:1-10
KEY BIBLE VERSE: He predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. (Ephesians 1:5 , niv)
Adoption was his plan all along. Predestined means marked out beforehand. This is another way of saying salvation is God’s work and not our own doing. God has adopted us as his own children. Through Jesus’ sacrifice, he has brought us into his family and made us heirs along with Jesus (Romans 8:17 ). In Roman law, adopted children had the same rights and privileges as natural children. Paul uses this term to show how strong our relationship to God is. For more on the meaning of adoption, see Galatians 4:1-7 .

From:
The Handbook of Bible Application

[Fat]

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First a ransom had to be paid before the adoption could occur. It reminds me of some of these international adoptions, where the prospective parents must pay upfront before the child can become their's.

[Zant Law]

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In what way is a Christian part of God’s family?

It is my belief that God planned His family long before the foundation of the Earth. It is true that we are adopted but this was a planned adoption.

[Fat]

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In what way is a Christian part of God’s family?

It is my belief that God planned His family long before the foundation of the Earth. It is true that we are adopted but this was a planned adoption.

No doubt about it!

Revelation 13:8 NAS
All who dwell on the earth will worship him, everyone whose name has not been written from the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who has been slain.

[clark thompson]

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Christ paid it all with His life.

[Alexander Winslow]

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While all Christians are followers of Christ, not all followers of Christ are Christians. This is because the original status of the word Christian means 'anointed-one'. So as the Apostle Paul informs us: 

“Therefore only if you are of the Anointed, are you actually Abraham’s seed, heirs and instrument of the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) NMTCS These words of Paul confirm the words of Jesus when talking to this select group said: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

So these are the Christians who inherit immortality in the heavens along with Christ as later confirmed: "Revelation 20:6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priest of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” (NMTCS)

These are the ones who have received the spirit of adoption, because they like Christ; are raised up as immortal spirit creatures (John 8:14-17) while the rest of all mankind will receive and earthly resurrection as confirmed in Martha's words to Jesus regarding the raising of her dead brother in reference to the general resurrection: "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day." (John 11:24)

These scriptures categorize both the heavenly [1st resurrection] and the earthly [2nd resurrection].

The heavenly sons of adoption and the earthly salvation of the rest of mankind who avoid the 'second death' at the end of the Sabbath Millennium. (Revelation 21:

Yours in Truth,

Alexander

[Fat]

• 

While all Christians are followers of Christ, not all followers of Christ are Christians. This is because the original status of the word Christian means 'anointed-one'. So as the Apostle Paul informs us: 

“Therefore only if you are of the Anointed, are you actually Abraham’s seed, heirs and instrument of the promise.” (Galatians 3:29) NMTCS These words of Paul confirm the words of Jesus when talking to this select group said: “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the Kingdom.” (Luke 12:32) 21st Century King James Version (KJ21)

So these are the Christians who inherit immortality in the heavens along with Christ as later confirmed: "Revelation 20:6 Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no authority, but they will be priest of God and of the Christ, and will rule as kings with him for the thousand years.” (NMTCS)

These are the ones who have received the spirit of adoption, because they like Christ; are raised up as immortal spirit creatures (John 8:14-17) while the rest of all mankind will receive and earthly resurrection as confirmed in Martha's words to Jesus regarding the raising of her dead brother in reference to the general resurrection: "I know he will rise in the resurrection on the last day." (John 11:24)

These scriptures categorize both the heavenly [1st resurrection] and the earthly [2nd resurrection].

The heavenly sons of adoption and the earthly salvation of the rest of mankind who avoid the 'second death' at the end of the Sabbath Millennium. (Revelation 21:

Yours in Truth,

Alexander

Regarding God’s Plan of Salvation, we are informed through his word that this is ‘Everlasting Life’on earth under perfect paradisaic conditions.After fifty years of intensive study and reaearch, I have just completed completed a one page article on this; here is a brief excerpt due to your limitation of words:
THE ‘KEY’ TO EVERLASTING LIFE
The fundamental teaching of the ‘ransom’ is that Jesus died for all! Including Adam. Therefore “as in Adam all die, so also in the Christ all will be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
Here then is where understanding applies. When he died, Jesus gave himself [his life] as a ransom in ‘exchange’ for ‘many’ [Matthew 20:28] the ‘little flock’ (Luke 12:32) ‘Israel of God’ [144,000] (Galatians 6:16; Revelation 14:1). At the same time, he also gave himself [his body] as a ‘corresponding’ ransom for ‘all’ [Adam and the rest of the human race] (Hebrews 2:9 1 Timothy 2:6).
Jesus refers to the period during which there shall be a resurrection of both the righteous and the unrighteous (Acts 24:15) [no exceptions]. If anyone chooses to call this a “second chance,” let him do so; it must certainly be Adam’s second chanc.
Men, not God, have limited to the Gospel age this chance or opportunity of attaining life. God, on the contrary, tells us that the Gospel age is merely for the selection of the anointed ‘little flock’ [Israel of God] (Luke 12:32; Galatians 6:16) the royal priesthood, through whom, during a succeeding age [Sabbath Millennium], all others shall be brought to an accurate knowledge of the truth and granted full opportunity to secure everlasting life under the New Covenant.

Alexander Winslow

Do you really beleave that?

Friend of VCO  and Theodore A. Jones?