A lot has been written and even movies made showing the importance of every word and that there can be hidden meaning in every word in the Bible. At the same time many things that are not hidden are not understood or ignored. Many have been taught to ignore the Bible’s own definition for terms.
The English word Adoption is found five times in the new testament. The Greek word that means the same as the English word adoption is not found in the new testament. Major doctrines have been created with the incorrect use of the word.
Romans 8:15 “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.”
Romans 8:23 “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.”
Romans 9:4 “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants,2 and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises”.
Galatians 4:5 “To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Ephesians 1:5 “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will”.
The word found in scripture that is translated adoption means “the placing as a son, in respect to God”. It was a coming of age ceremony for those who were sons being put into the place of a son. This was not for those who were not sons being placed as sons.
Even Paul said that those under the Law were waiting for the placement of sons as an Israelite. False doctrine breeds more false doctrine. The concept that the majority of those who claim Christ as their savior are some second choice people who had to be brought in or adopted into the fold was created to deal with the incorrect idea that the modern day Jews are God’s chosen. The Bible is so much easier to understand when one has the correct people as God’s chosen.