THE WAY OF SALVATION | ADOPTION

1. The way of Salvation

a) Christ's death on the cross is the ground of God's wonderful plan of salvation. It was completely necessary and at the same time perfectly sufficient.

b) There are four words in the Bible which further tell about God's work in saving men. These are: Election, Predestination, Calling, and Adoption. We will also think of two words which tell about man's part in God's plan of salvation: Repentance, and Faith.

2. What is Adoption?

a) Another work of God is to predestine us unto adoption, as sons, Ephesians 1:5. In the Bible this word means o declare a person is a son. We are made  sons the moment we were born again by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Savior. It will be shown openly to the world that we are sons when the Lord Jesus Christ comes in glory. Thus we have now received the Spirit of son-ship or adoption, but still wait for this to be shown openly to the world, Romans 8:15, 23. This will take place when the Lord Jesus Christ comes and our bodies are redeemed.

b) The true Israelites will also be shown openly to be sons of God, Romans 9:4. Adoption is the work of the Father, Ephesians 1:5; the Son, Galatians 4:5, and the Holy Spirit, Romans 8:15.

c) Salvation is entirely of God. He planned it, accomplished it and offers it freely to sinners. The propitiation of Christ is for the whole world. Does it mean all will be saved? No. Only those who repent and have faith receive the blessings of God's salvation. Neither faith nor repentance is a good work. No man can glory in himself before God because of his good works.