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Our Adoption is what happened and will happen
Our adoption into the family of God begins by our regeneration which comes from
believing the gospel.
The scripture Rom. 8:23 is about the redemption of our body. This is not the
all the Bible has to say on adoption. Prior to this Rom. 8:15-16 “For you did
not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of
adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." The Spirit Himself bears witness
with our spirit that we are children of God.”
This has taken place, however this adoption of the body completes our salvation
by glorification, where we no longer have a sin nature, incorruptible is changed
and are deathless in the body (1 cor.15:22).
Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament states on this topic “Our
adoption huiothesian (NT:5147). Our full "adoption" (see Rom 8:15), "the
redemption of our body" teen (NT:3543) apolutroosin (NT:623) tou (NT:3543)
soomatos (NT:4928) heemoon (NT:2223). That is to come also. Then we shall have
complete redemption of both soul and body.”
This adoption is the complete change from corruption to holiness of the BODY.
But the position we have in the family of God has taken place by adoption.
As Barnes write, Rom. 8:23 [Waiting for the adoption] Waiting for the full
blessings of the adoption. Christians are adopted when they are converted (Rom
8:15), but they have not been yet admitted to the full privileges of their
adoption into the family of God. (from Barnes' Notes)
“Meaning the redemption of our body-from the grave” (from Jamieson, Fausset, and
Brown Commentary)
Ellicott explains The adoption.—The Christian who has received the gift of the
Spirit is already an adopted child of God. (See Roman 8:15-16.) But this
adoption still has to be ratified and perfected, which will not be until the
Coming of Christ.” underline mine
So we have His Spirit in us that gives us a relationship to the Father because
of our new position of adopted sons and daughters.
Agreeing with Rom. 8:23, Gal. 4:5-6 “to redeem those who were under the law,
that we might receive the adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has
sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!
Thus it shows we are adopted into his family called the Church.
Again this scripture also confirms this. Eph. 1:4-5 “having predestined us to
adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself.”
The mention of our future adoption has to do with another aspect, our
transformation. To say we are not adopted already would mean we are not his
children yet. Yet the Bible says we are his children.
John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name.”1 John 3:2 “Beloved, now we
are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be.”
And this is when we come to the adoption of the body, where we have the finality
of our sanctification process. We are transformed to be like the Son physically
by the removal of all sin become immortal physically and experience our
completion by glorification.
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