OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION "But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law, that we might received the adoption of sons, And because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son (Jesus) into your hearts, saying,. Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art not more a servant, but a son; and if son; then an heir of God through Christ." Galatians 4:4-7
In being a New Testament Christian, we are the sons of God by creation and we are the sons of God by regeneration. Therefore, we should learn the value of being a son of God by regeneration so that we can learn more about the greatness of our own immortality of life.
Learn the following truth because your life is priceless.
THE NEED FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION I. When we were an alien sinner, we were spiritually dead in our trespasses and sin. "And you hath he quickened, who were dead (in a Spiritual way) in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walk according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience." Ephesians 2:1-2 "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23
II. When we were an alien sinner, we were spiritually separated from the Lord our God. "That at that time (when we were dead in our trespasses and sins) ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in this world." Ephesians 2:12 "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: but you iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." Isaiah 59:1-2
THE REQUIREMENTS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION If we want to become Spiritually Adopted, we must put off the old man and put on the new man. "That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Ephesians 4:22-24
I. We must put off the old man and put on the new man by hearing the word of God. "So them faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17
II. We must put off the old man and put on the new man by faith. "But without faith (minus faith on our part) is in impossible to please him (God): for he that cometh to God must believe that he is (that God is alive) and that he is a rewarder (God is a promise keeper) of them that diligently seek him." Hebrew 11:6
III. We need to put off the old man and put on the new man by repentance. "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish?" Luke 13:3
IV. We should put off the old man put on the new man by confession. "If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Romans 10:9-10
V. We ought to put off the old man and put on the new man by baptism. "And he (our Lord) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:15-16
THE REASONS WHY BAPTISM IS ESSENTIAL TO SALVATION
WE NEED TO LEARN THE FOLLOWING TRUTHI. Baptism is a commandment of God. "For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, can any man forbid water; that these (the Gentiles) should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as well as we (the Jews)? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." Acts 10:47-48
II. Baptism is for the salvation of our souls. "While the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ." 1 Peter 3:20-21
III. Baptism is the act that puts us into Christ. "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Galatians 3:27
VI. Baptism is the act that destroys the body of sin. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ, was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life, For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Romans 6:3-6
V. Baptism is the act that saves us. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." Mark 16:16
VI. Baptism is the act that washes away our sins. Ananias said unto Saul, "Why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16
VII. Baptism is the climax of the New Birth: the Spiritual Birth. "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again (in a spiritual way), he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water (be immersed in water), and of the Spirit (the teachings of the Holy Spirit), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:3-5VIII. Baptism is Divinely Authorized by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. "Go make disciples out of all nations, baptizing them in the name (the authority) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:18-20
IX. Baptism is for the remission of our past sins. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name (the authority) of Jesus Christ for the remission (the forgiveness) of your sins." Acts 2:38
A. Baptism is a burial in water. "Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Colossians 2:12
B. Baptism is a resurrection from water. "And they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized (immersed) him. And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him not more; and he went on his way rejoicing." Acts 8:38-39
THE NEED FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION In being Spiritually Adopted, we must worship God in spirit and in truth. "God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit (with the proper attitude) and in truth" (according to His revealed way of New Testament Worship). John 4:24
I. In being a disciple of Christ, we should worship the Lord our God by singing using vocal music only because instrumental music in not Divinely Authorized for Spiritual Worship. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing (not using some musical instrument, but simply singing) and making melody in your heart to the Lord." Ephesians 5:19 "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing (by using vocal music only) with grace in your hearts to the Lord." Colossians 3:16
Now, instrumental music was not used in the worship service of the early Church because instrumental music is not authorized for New Testament Worship. However, instrumental music was later introduced into the worship service of the church many years after the Church had been established. Nevertheless, instrumental music caused a religious division in the church which already had apostatized from the truth of God concerning many different doctrines. Thus, we should not use instrumental music in our worship service unto the Lord our God because the Lord our God has not authorized instrumental music to be used in the worship service of the New Testament Church. Therefore, vocal music only is a worship service of the New Testament Church because we can express our praises unto the Lord our God for the blessings which we are receiving in being citizens of His kingdom
II. In being a New Testament Saint, we need to worship the Lord our God by praying unto Him because pray is our way of taking unto God. "And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." Acts 2:42 "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayers and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." Philippians 4:6 "Let us therefore come bodily unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16III. In being a New Testament Christian, we must worship the Lord our God each Lord's Day (Sunday) by partaking of the Lord's Supper because we are to remember our Lord's death, burial and resurrection from the grave. "Upon the first day of the week (Sunday is the Lord's day), when the disciples came together to break bread (to partaker of the Lord's supper), Paul preached unto them." Acts 20:7 "For as often as ye eat this bread (the unleavened bread which symbolized his body), and drink this cup (the contents of the cup contains the fruit of the vine, and the fruit of the vine symbolized his blood), ye do shew the Lord's death till he comes."1 Corinthians 11:26
IV. In being a son of God by regeneration, we ought to worship the Lord our God by giving of our money to support His Work. "Now concerning the collection (the giving of your money) for the saints, as I have given orders to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. Upon the first day of the week (Sunday which is the Lord's day) let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." 1 Corinthians 16:1-2
V. In being a New Testament Christian, we must worship the Lord our God with faithful gospel preaching because the doctrines of men are an abomination unto Him. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if you keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according the scriptures." 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
THE BLESSINGS FOR OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION In being Spiritually Adopted, we must faithfully serve the Lord our God by producing the fruit of the Spirit in our lives. "It is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve." Matthew 4:10 "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." Galatians 5:22-24
I. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. "Owe no man any things, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill. Thou shalt not steal. Thou shalt not bear false witness. Thou shalt no covet; and if there by any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this say, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law." Romans 13:8-11
II. Joy is a fruit of the Spirit. "Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
III. Peace is a fruit of the Spirit. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not you heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27
IV. Longsuffering is a fruit of the Spirit. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God: Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness." Colossians 1:10-11
V. Goodness is a fruit of the Spirit. "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." Galatians 6:10
VI. Gentleness is a fruit of the Spirit. "To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, skewing all meekness unto all men." Titus 3:2
VII. Faithfulness is a fruit of the Spirit. "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye might be tried: and ye shall have tribulation ten days; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." Revelation 2:10
VIII. Meekness is a fruit of the Spirit. "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." Matthew 5:5
IX. Temperance is fruit of the Spirit. "And as he (Paul) reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answer, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25THE RESULTS OF OUR SPIRITUAL ADOPTION I. When we became Spiritually Adopted, we were reconciled unto the Lord our God. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead. be ye reconciled to God. For he that made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
II. When we became Spiritually Adopted, we were made to be an heir of God. "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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. The Spirit himself beareth witness, with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs (equal-heirs) with Christ, if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." Romans 8:14-17
THE CONCLUSION I. We in being a New Testament Christian have been Spiritual Adoption by God from Christ because we have been created and redeemed by three Heavenly Persons (Personalities or Beings) who equally are ruling in the Godhead in being called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, and who are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that in this world we can become like Them. Equality signifies that those three Heavenly Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life are equal in power, rule and authority in matters of Their Own Individual Being of life because They equally possess the same Divine Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of life.
II. God who is the head of Christ and Christ who is subjected to God is the being of a Father-head Figure and an Offspring Status Relationship instead of being two ranked Persons because those three God-Persons, who were ruling in the Godhead in being called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit, equally made Themselves to rule in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that They could be our Redeemer. Rank would mean that the Father would be the first Person in power, rule and authority; the Son (Jesus) would be the second Person in power, rule and authority; whereas the Holy Spirit would be the third Person in power, rule and authority.
III. The Godhead and the Godhead bodily of Christ are the two Divine Terms in which three Heavenly Persons who equally are ruling in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because we in being a New Testament Christian have been created and redeemed by three equal Persons who are ruling in the Godhead in being called the Father, the Word and the Holy Spirit and who are ruling in the Godhead bodily of Christ in being called the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit so that in that world which is to come we can become equal (having power, rule and authority) with Them.
A. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Spiritual Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in our Heavenly Home we will equally possess Their Spiritual Personage of life which will be a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit in reference to our own individual nature of life. "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Thessalonians 5:23 "It is sown a nature body, it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body." 1 Corinthians 15:44 "Who (our Lord) shall change our vile body (our fleshly body), that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body (His Spiritual Body), according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself." Philippians 3:21 "And as we have borne the image of the earthy (the earthy man who possesses a physical body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit), we shall also bear the image of the heavenly" (the Spiritual Person who has a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit). 1 Corinthians 15:49 This means that we will be a Spiritual Person who possesses a Spiritual Body, and an Eternal Soul and Spirit in our Heavenly Home because these are the Spiritual Characteristics of a Spiritual Person.
B. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Divine Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in our Heavenly Home we will equally possess Their Divine Powers of life in reference to our own individual being of life. "If we suffer, we shall also reign (rule) with him (the Lord our God). If we deny him, he also will deny us." 2 Timothy 2:12 "To him that overcometh (the forces of evil) will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Revelation 3:21 "And to him will I give power over the nations. And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father." Revelation 2:26-27 "And they shall reign (rule) for ever and ever" (over the powers of Satan). Revelation 22:5 This means that we will be Omnipotent, Omniscient and Omnipresent in our Heavenly Home because these are the Divine Powers of a Divine Person.
C. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Divine Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in our Heavenly Home we will equally possess Their Divine Nature of life in reference to our own individual nature of life. "It is written in your law, I said, Ye (created men) are gods. If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scriptures can not be broken." John 10:34-35 "God has given unto us many exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." 2 Peter 1:4 "Him that overcometh (the powers of Satan) 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." Revelation 3:12 "Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3:15 This means that we will be eternal, impartial, self-existing, glorious, accessible, monotheistical, divine, visible, perfect, immutable, spiritual and immortal in our Heavenly Home because these are the Divine Traits of a Divine Person.
D. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Divine Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in our Heavenly Home we will equally possess Their Divine Attributes of life in reference to our own individual being of life. "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." Matthew 5:48 "Be ye also merciful, as your Father also is merciful." Luke 6:38 "He that overcometh (the powers of sin), the same shall be clothed in white raiment (having his Divine Attributes Perfected): and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angles." Revelation 3:5 "For there shall in no wise enter into it (the Heavenly City) any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life." Revelation 21:27 This means that we will be lovable, holy, merciful, faithful, just, righteous, good, jealous, truthful, longsuffering, unchangeable and gracious in our Heavenly Home because these are the Divine Attributes of a Divine Person.
E. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Divine Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because we are heirs of God and joint-heirs (equal heirs) with Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life. "The Spirit (the Holy Spirit) Himself beareth witness with our spirit (our character: our personality), that we are the children of God (by creation and by regeneration): And If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs (equal heirs) with Christ." Romans 8:16-17 This means that in our Heavenly Home all Divine Persons will be equal in power, rule and authority.
F. We in being a New Testament Christian will become equal with those three Heavenly Persons who equally are ruling in the Godhead and in the Godhead bodily of Christ in matters of our own creation and redemption of life because in our Heavenly Home we will equally possess Their Heavenly Immortality of life in reference to our own individual nature of life. "Which in his times he shall shew who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords: Who only hath immortality (the Lord in all of His Power and Glory only has immortality, but the Lord has promised to give unto us those same Spiritual Blessings of Immortality), dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen." 1 Timothy 6:15-16 "To them (the Christians) who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life." Romans 2:7 This means that we will be a deathless Person in our Heavenly Home because a Heavenly Person can not die in a physical or in a Spiritual Way.
1). We in being a New Testament Christian can become all that God will ever be because we can become the fullness of God in our Heavenly Home. Paul prayed that, "Ye (Christians) might be filled with all the fullness (the completeness) of God." Ephesians 3:19
2).We in being a New Testament Christian will become all that God is in the way of Personage, Powers, Nature and Attributes of life because God must become all and in all. Paul said that we will be presented to God in heaven so that "God (the Spiritual Nature of God) may be all (to each Person who has been saved) and in all" (of each Person that is saved). 1 Corinthians 15:28"Of whom (God) the whole family in heaven and earth is named." Ephesians 3:15 Please get others to read this article so that they can learn more about the Divine Blessings of their own immortality of life because their life is precious.
May the Lord bless you and give you wisdom so that you can learn more about the Spiritual Blessings of your own divine nature of life because your life is priceless.
