The
False Teaching
The Catholic View:
St. Paul introduces the word adoption (houiothesia)
into the New Testament (Rom., viii, 15, 23; Gal., iv, 5; Eph., i, 5),
and applies it to a special relation- ship (sonship) of man towards
God, brought about by the indwelling in our soul of the "Spirit of
God". . . .This adoption will be consummated when to the "first fruits
of the Spirit", of which our soul is made the recipient in this life,
is added the "redemption of our body" (Rom., viii, 23) in the life to
come and that we are consequently the children of God.
Westminster Confession: All
those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for 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.
The Baptists: Adoption
is that privilege, bestowed upon those who are united with Christ, and
justified by faith, by which they are admitted into the family of God,
adopted as his children, and made joint heirs with his own Son.
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Exposing
the Error
Yes, its Paul
again! Plus his disciples, the
bevy of teachers, theologians and
preachers that trumpet this doctrine throughout the world. Jesus
never taught this doctrine, but rather taught the contrary, and it is
his word that is True. Listen: Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the
life; no one comes to the
Father, but by me (Jn.14:6).
(Think
'Paul' as the alternative.) And
again, If
you continue in my word,you are truly my disciples, (not Paul's) and you will know
the truth, and the truth will
make you free (Jn.8:31,32).
But, does Jesus reveal all of "the
truth?"
Listen: All that the Father has is
mine; therefore I said that he will take what is mine and declare it to
you (Jn.16:15). ....all that I have heard from my
Father I have made known to you
(Jn.15:15). I have told you
all things before hand (Mk.13:23).
The
question is, How does one become a child
of God? Paul states that it is by adoption: But when the time had fully come, God sent
forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so
that we might receive adoption as sons.
And because
you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts,
crying, "Abba! Father!" (Gl.4:4-6).
But Jesus, who alone is Truth, does not teach adoption! Does God send the spirit of his Son into the
hearts of such children - who are not his children due to the fact that
he does not seek children by adoption? Then whose spirit is
crying, and to whom does it cry "Abba! Father!"?
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Declaring
the Truth
How does one become a
child of God? Jesus states it simply and clearly: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one
is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God (Jn.3:3). It is
by birth, not adoption!
God does not adopt children, He begets them! When Jesus says:
The seed
is
the word of God (Lk.8:11),
the seed
(Greek) is sporos,
the semen virile of
God that produces children of God when it impregnates the heart. The
Parable of the Sower explains it. We also have this: ...he who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has
eternal life; he does not come into judgment, but has passed from death
to life (Jn.5:24).
It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of
no avail; the words that I have spoken
to you are spirit and life (Jn.6:53).
The Spirit and the Word are inseparable, so that to receive the Word is
to receive and be born of the Spirit, from above. The difference
between the child of God and the child of the devil is this: If God were your Father, you would
love me, for I proceeded and came forth from God;.... Why do you not understand what I say?
It is because you cannot bear to hear
my word. You are of
your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires (Jn.8:42-44).
To
all born of God he says, And call
no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven
(Mt.23:9). All who
receive the Word and believe are the
supernatural born children of God! More
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