Q. 52. What is adoption?

Adoption is an act of God’s free grace by which those born of God’s Spirit are received into the number of his children through union with his only begotten Son, and given a right to all the privileges of sonship.

Psalm 27:10; John 1:12–13; 3:5–6; Romans 8:14–17, 23; 9:8, 26; 1 Corinthians 1:26, 30; 2 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 1:5; 2:18–19; Philippians 2:15; Galatians 3:26; Galatians 4:4–6; Hebrews 2:11; 1 John 3:1–2; Revelation 21:7.

  • WSC 34
  • WCF 12
  • Heidelberg Catechism, 33

Adoption. In justification, the Almighty Judge declares us “not guilty” in his courtroom; in adoption, the judge steps down from his bench and takes us home to be part of his family forever. The Parable of the Prodigal Son beautifully depicts God’s fatherly love (Luke 15:11–32). “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1).

Born … Spirit. No one can enter into God’s kingdom unless they are born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5). God’s Spirit must come to dwell within us, giving us new spiritual life, and beginning the transformation of our whole nature (Q. 53). This is commonly called the new birth or regeneration. Regeneration is signified by baptism (Q. 44).

Through union. God “predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 1:5). “God sent forth his Son … so that we might receive adoption as sons” (Galatians 4:4–5). “The Son of God became the Son of Man in order that he might make the sons of men the sons of God” (John Chrysostom, Homilies on John 11.1). “For it was for this end that the Word of God was made man, and He who was the Son of God became the Son of man, that man, having been taken into the Word, and receiving the adoption, might become the son of God” (Irenaeus, Against Heresies 3.19.1).

Only begotten Son. We are God’s sons by adoption and grace; Christ alone is God’s Son by eternal generation (see Q. 27).

Privileges. Those who are justified by faith also “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, are 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” (WCF 12).

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