The Westminster Catechism states,
Question 74: What is adoption?
Answer: Adoption is an act of the free grace of God, in and for his only Son Jesus Christ, whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children, have his name put upon them, the Spirit of his Son given to them, are under his fatherly care and dispensations, admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow heirs with Christ in glory.
All those that are justified, God vouchsafes, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption,[1] by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God,[2] have His name put upon them,[3] receive the spirit of adoption,[4] have access to the throne of grace with boldness,[5] are enabled to cry, Abba, Father,[6] are pitied,[7] protected,[8] provided for,[9] and chastened by Him as by a Father:[10] yet never cast off,[11] but sealed to the day of redemption;[12] and inherit the promises,[13] as heirs of everlasting salvation.[14]
A Puritan Catechism by CH Spurgeon states,
Q. What is adoption?
A. Adoption is an act of God's free grace (1 Jn. 3:1), whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God (Jn. 1:12; Rom. 8:17).
All those that are justified, God vouchsafed, in and for the sake of 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.
Ephesians 1:5 speaks of God’s predestinated us in adoption:
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will…”
Galatians 4:4 speaks of the Son of God was sent in the fullness of time for His people:
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law…”
Galatians 4:5 speaks of His people as the adoption as sons:
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
John 1:12 speaks of the sons of God:
“But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name…”
Romans 8:17 speaks of joint-heirs with Christ:
“And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.”
2 Corinthians 6:18 speaks of the Father’s sons and daughters:
“And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.”
Revelation 3:12 speaks of them that overcome with His new name:
“Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.”
Romans 8:15 speaks of the Spirit of adoption:
“For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.”
Galatians 4:6 speaks of the Spirit of His Son that makes us sons:
“And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.”
Ephesians 2:18 speaks of the Spirit of whom we have access to the Father:
“For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
Psalm 103:13 speaks of God that pities God-fearing people:
“Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
Proverbs 14:26 speaks of the refuge of the fear of God:
“In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.”
1 Peter 5:7 speaks of casting our cares upon Him:
“Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.”
Hebrews 12:6 of chastening His adopted people:
“For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.”
Isaiah 54:8 speaks of His everlasting kindness:
“In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.”
Isaiah 54:9 speaks of God not entering into judgment with His people:
“For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.”
Lamentations 3:31 speaks of God’s faithfulness:
“For the LORD will not cast off for ever…”
Ephesians 4:30 speaks of our seal by the Spirit unto the day of redemption:
“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
Hebrews 1:14 speaks of us as being heirs of salvation:
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”
Hebrews 6:12 speaks of the faith and patience of adopted sons and daughters:
“That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.”
