Of the Baptist Catechism
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Question What is adoption?
Answer Adoption is an act of God’s free grace,1 whereby we are received into the number and have a right to all the privileges of the sons of God,2
[1] 1 John 3:1
[2] John 1:12; Romans 8:14-17

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Are some the sons of God by creation?
Yes.

All the sons of God shouted for joy,
Job 38:7

And others by an external profession?
Yes.

Let my Son go that he may serve me,
Exodus 4:23

But are the saints so by adoption?
Yes.

We receive the adoption of sons,
Galatians 4:5

Is Christ the medium of our adoption?
Yes.

We are predestinated to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ,
Ephesians 1:5

And the exemplar of it?
Yes.

God hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his Son,
Romans 8:29

And the end of it?
Yes.

That he might be the first born among many brethren,
Romans 8:29

And is grace the motive of it?
Yes.

It is according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace,
Ephesians 1:5–6


Do the saints receive the nature of sons?
Yes.

They are made partakers of a divine nature,
2 Peter 1:4

And the spirit of sons?
Yes.

Because ye are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
Galatians 4:6

And the provision of sons?
Yes.

They will want no good thing,
Psalm 34:10

And the inheritance of sons?
Yes.

Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son, and if a son then an heir of God, through Christ,
Galatians 4:7


Are God’s children the objects of his pity?
Yes.

As a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him,
Psalm 103:13

And of his care?
Yes.

I have nourished and brought up children,
Isaiah 1:2

Are they strongly defended?
Yes.

His children shall have a place of refuge,
Proverbs 14:26

And honourably attended?
Yes.

. He shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways,
Psalm 91:11

And if chastened, is it in love?
Yes.

Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth,
Hebrews 12:6


Should God’s children then go to him as a Father?
Yes.

I will arise and go to my Father,
Luke 15:18

And reverence him as a Father?
Yes.

If I be a Father, where is mine honour,
Malachi 1:6

And imitate him?
Yes.

Be ye perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect,
Matthew 5:48

And obey him?
Yes.

As obedient children,
1 Peter 1:14

And submit to his chastisement?
Yes.

My son despise not thou the chastening of the Lord,
Hebrews 12:5


Have all the saints one Father?
Yes.

Have we not all one Father?
Malachi 2:10

Should they therefore love as brethren?
Yes.

Add to godliness brotherly kindness,
2 Peter 1:7

And is the neglect hereof a great sin?
Yes.

Why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother?
Malachi 2:10

From A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

The Westminster Larger Catechism Copy a link to this section

#74 Copy this
Question What is adoption?
Answer Adoption is an act of the free grace of God,1 in and for his only Son Jesus Christ,2 whereby all those that are justified are received into the number of his children,3 have his name put upon them,4 the Spirit of his Son given to them,5 are under his fatherly care and dispensations,6 admitted to all the liberties and privileges of the sons of God, made heirs of all the promises, and fellow heirs with Christ in glory.7
[1] 1 John 3:1
[2] Ephesians 1:5; Galatians 4:4–5
[3] John 1:12
[4] 2 Corinthians 6:18; Revelation 3:12
[5] Galatians 4:6
[6] Psalm 103:13; Proverbs 14:26; Matthew 6:32
[7] Hebrews 6:12; Romans 8:17