Adoption and Reactive Attachment Disorder![]()
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Adoption, Definition According to the Bible
In the web page of http://biblestudytools.com/dictionaries/bakers-evangelical-dictionary/adoption.html, we can find this information about adoption and the different occasions on which an adoption was made or assumed to have taken the role of adoptive parents, educating, caring for and including oneself in the family as such…In the bible, adoption is one of several family-related terms used to describe the process of salvation and its subsequent benefits… God is the father who adopts believers in Christ into his spiritual family and grants them all the privileges of heirship. The Greek word for adoption (huiothesia [uiJoqesiva]) means to "place as a son" and this term it was used only by Paul in the New Testament.
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There are another view from Biblioteca Cristianismo Primitivo (www.elcristianimosprimitivo.com/doc31.htm), about the adoption … “God receives in his family only the people who have been regenerated. Regeneration and adoption are two very similar themes. But regeneration focuses on spiritual life, while adoption focuses on spiritual relationship.
Adoption is the loving act of God to receive in his spiritual family his children in this world who fulfill certain conditions to belong to it. As Moses was adopted as the son of the daughter of Pharaoh (Exodus 2: 1-1-10) and Mephibosheth was welcomed by David (2 Samuel 9: 1-10) so God receives as sons and daughters in his family who have become heirs of glory by being made new creatures in Christ Jesus. |
God has a purpose for each person and He let us some examples of adoption situations, so we can grow in our faith and truly understand what means for God to adopt us as His Children
Stories from the Bible...
In the Bible, adoption is one of several family-related terms used to describe the process of SALVATION and its subsequent benefits. God is a father who graciously adopts believers in Christ into his spiritual family and grants them all the privileges of heirship. Salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation; it is also a position of great blessing. Believers are children of God.
Old Testament Legal adoption was not prescribed in Jewish law or practiced by the Israelites. In fact, the term "adoption" does not occur in the Old Testament. While there are several possible allusions to adoption, such as Moses ( Exod 2:10 ), Genubath ( 1 Ki 11:20 ), and Esther ( Es 2:7 ), the incidents recorded take place in foreign societies (Egyptian and Persian) and there is no evidence that legal adoptions were enacted.
The adoption metaphor was not lost to Israel, however. God declares that he is the Father of the nation Israel, whom he loves as his child ( Isa 1:2 ; Hosea 11:1 ). He tells Pharaoh, "Israel is my firstborn son" ( Exod 4:22 ). More specifically, he says to David (and the Messiah), "You are my son; today I have become your Father" ( Psalm 2:7 ); and of David's descendant, "I will be his father, and he will be my son" ( 2 Sa 7:14 ). Although not precisely adoption passages, the instances of declared sonship in the Old Testament provide a theological foundation for Israel's designation as the children of God.
New Testament The New Testament cultural environment was much different from that of the Old since elaborate laws and ceremonies for adoption were part of both Greek and Roman society. To people with this background, the adoption metaphor in the New Testament was particularly meaningful.
The Greek word for adoption (huiothesia [uiJoqesiva]) means to "place as a son" and is used only by Paul in the New Testament. Each of the five occurrences in his letters is to readers of a decidedly Roman background. In one instance Paul refers to the Old Testament idea of Israel's special position as the children of God" Theirs is the adoption as sons" ( Ro 9:4 ). The remaining four references describe how New Testament believers become children of God through his gracious choice. The full scope of God's work of salvation past, present, and future is seen in adoption.
The believer's adoption as a child of God was determined by God from eternity: God "predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ" ( Eph 1:5 ). This adoption is not the result of any merit on the part of the believer, but solely the outworking of God's love and grace ( Ephesians 1:5 Ephesians 1:7 ).
The present reality of the believer's adoption into the family of God is release from the slavery of sin and the law and a new position as a free heir of God. Entering into salvation brings the rights and privileges of free sonship: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'" ( Ro 8:15 ). Paul tells the Galatians that Christians were redeemed from the law so that they might receive adoption as sons. As a result the Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart crying, "Abba, Father" ( Gal 4:5 ). The intimacy of a relationship with God the Father in contrast to the ownership of slavery is a remarkable feature of salvation.
Like many aspects of salvation, there is an eschatological component of adoption. Believers "wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" ( Ro 8:23 ). The full revelation of the believer's adoption is freedom from the corruption present in the world. Being a member of God's family includes the ultimate privilege of being like him ( 1 Jo 3:2 ) and being conformed to the glorious body of Christ ( Php 3:21 ). This is part of the promised inheritance for all God's children ( Ro 8:16-17 ).
William E. Brown
Bibliography. G. Braumann, NIDNTT, 1:287-90; A. H. Leitch, ZPEB, 1:63-65; F. Lyall, Slaves, Citizens, Sons: Legal Metaphors in the Epistles.
As we can see in the Bible mentions different ways in which God adopts his paternity. We can see him when he recognizes himself as the Father of the people of Israel, and when Paul wrote in his letters a relationship that God prepares and plans for those who receive the sacrifice of Jesus to forgive their sins and receive and recognize him as their savior, Becomes part of the family of God; Thus fulfilling the plan of salvation and sanctification and then gives a spiritual adoption. But it is also understood that God allows the adoption of Moses, and Queen Esther, and that they have to grow outside their families, and be educated and formed with other families and even with other cultures as in the case of Moses, all this with The purpose of benefiting, saving and caring for his people.
Stories from the Bible...
In the Bible, adoption is one of several family-related terms used to describe the process of SALVATION and its subsequent benefits. God is a father who graciously adopts believers in Christ into his spiritual family and grants them all the privileges of heirship. Salvation is much more than forgiveness of sins and deliverance from condemnation; it is also a position of great blessing. Believers are children of God.
Old Testament Legal adoption was not prescribed in Jewish law or practiced by the Israelites. In fact, the term "adoption" does not occur in the Old Testament. While there are several possible allusions to adoption, such as Moses ( Exod 2:10 ), Genubath ( 1 Ki 11:20 ), and Esther ( Es 2:7 ), the incidents recorded take place in foreign societies (Egyptian and Persian) and there is no evidence that legal adoptions were enacted.
The adoption metaphor was not lost to Israel, however. God declares that he is the Father of the nation Israel, whom he loves as his child ( Isa 1:2 ; Hosea 11:1 ). He tells Pharaoh, "Israel is my firstborn son" ( Exod 4:22 ). More specifically, he says to David (and the Messiah), "You are my son; today I have become your Father" ( Psalm 2:7 ); and of David's descendant, "I will be his father, and he will be my son" ( 2 Sa 7:14 ). Although not precisely adoption passages, the instances of declared sonship in the Old Testament provide a theological foundation for Israel's designation as the children of God.
New Testament The New Testament cultural environment was much different from that of the Old since elaborate laws and ceremonies for adoption were part of both Greek and Roman society. To people with this background, the adoption metaphor in the New Testament was particularly meaningful.
The Greek word for adoption (huiothesia [uiJoqesiva]) means to "place as a son" and is used only by Paul in the New Testament. Each of the five occurrences in his letters is to readers of a decidedly Roman background. In one instance Paul refers to the Old Testament idea of Israel's special position as the children of God" Theirs is the adoption as sons" ( Ro 9:4 ). The remaining four references describe how New Testament believers become children of God through his gracious choice. The full scope of God's work of salvation past, present, and future is seen in adoption.
The believer's adoption as a child of God was determined by God from eternity: God "predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ" ( Eph 1:5 ). This adoption is not the result of any merit on the part of the believer, but solely the outworking of God's love and grace ( Ephesians 1:5 Ephesians 1:7 ).
The present reality of the believer's adoption into the family of God is release from the slavery of sin and the law and a new position as a free heir of God. Entering into salvation brings the rights and privileges of free sonship: "For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, 'Abba, Father'" ( Ro 8:15 ). Paul tells the Galatians that Christians were redeemed from the law so that they might receive adoption as sons. As a result the Holy Spirit comes into the believer's heart crying, "Abba, Father" ( Gal 4:5 ). The intimacy of a relationship with God the Father in contrast to the ownership of slavery is a remarkable feature of salvation.
Like many aspects of salvation, there is an eschatological component of adoption. Believers "wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" ( Ro 8:23 ). The full revelation of the believer's adoption is freedom from the corruption present in the world. Being a member of God's family includes the ultimate privilege of being like him ( 1 Jo 3:2 ) and being conformed to the glorious body of Christ ( Php 3:21 ). This is part of the promised inheritance for all God's children ( Ro 8:16-17 ).
William E. Brown
Bibliography. G. Braumann, NIDNTT, 1:287-90; A. H. Leitch, ZPEB, 1:63-65; F. Lyall, Slaves, Citizens, Sons: Legal Metaphors in the Epistles.
As we can see in the Bible mentions different ways in which God adopts his paternity. We can see him when he recognizes himself as the Father of the people of Israel, and when Paul wrote in his letters a relationship that God prepares and plans for those who receive the sacrifice of Jesus to forgive their sins and receive and recognize him as their savior, Becomes part of the family of God; Thus fulfilling the plan of salvation and sanctification and then gives a spiritual adoption. But it is also understood that God allows the adoption of Moses, and Queen Esther, and that they have to grow outside their families, and be educated and formed with other families and even with other cultures as in the case of Moses, all this with The purpose of benefiting, saving and caring for his people.
The Adoption of Jesus ...
Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
As we read in Matthew chapter 1 of verses 16 to 25, Joseph accepts the responsibility to protect and care for Mary who was his betrothed, but who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus on Earth. Joseph is embarrassed to know that she is pregnant and decides what was right for him and decide to break her commitment with Mary. But it was not right for God's plans; for as the Bible says, Joseph is a descendant of David, that means God created a purpose in the life of Joseph long before he was born.
So Jose received a visit from God to be warned of what he has to do ... Finally he agrees to continue his commitment to Mary and consequently to form a family with her and the child she was expecting… JESUS.
As we can reflect when Joseph doesn’t know THE TRUT about Mary’s pregnancy, He wants to run away from her. But When He has the knowledge from God’s will, and more than that God asked him to follow the plan to protect Jesus’s life. This make me think about the personality of Joseph
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Matthew 1:16 and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, and Mary was the mother of Jesus who is called the Messiah.
As we read in Matthew chapter 1 of verses 16 to 25, Joseph accepts the responsibility to protect and care for Mary who was his betrothed, but who was chosen to be the mother of Jesus on Earth. Joseph is embarrassed to know that she is pregnant and decides what was right for him and decide to break her commitment with Mary. But it was not right for God's plans; for as the Bible says, Joseph is a descendant of David, that means God created a purpose in the life of Joseph long before he was born.
So Jose received a visit from God to be warned of what he has to do ... Finally he agrees to continue his commitment to Mary and consequently to form a family with her and the child she was expecting… JESUS.
As we can reflect when Joseph doesn’t know THE TRUT about Mary’s pregnancy, He wants to run away from her. But When He has the knowledge from God’s will, and more than that God asked him to follow the plan to protect Jesus’s life. This make me think about the personality of Joseph
Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.