Topical Bible: The New Birth: Connected With Adoption

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The concept of the New Birth, also known as being "born again," is a fundamental doctrine in Christian theology, signifying a spiritual rebirth and transformation through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformative experience is intricately connected with the doctrine of adoption, wherein believers are received into the family of God as His children.

Biblical Foundation of the New Birth

The New Birth is primarily articulated in the Gospel of John, where Jesus explains to Nicodemus the necessity of being "born again" to see the kingdom of God. In John 3:3 , Jesus declares, "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." This rebirth is not of a physical nature but a spiritual one, as further clarified in John 3:5-6 : "Truly, truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh is born of flesh, but spirit is born of the Spirit."

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes this concept, describing believers as being "born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God" (1 Peter 1:23). This new birth is a work of the Holy Spirit, regenerating the believer and imparting new life.

Adoption as Children of God

The New Birth is closely linked with the doctrine of adoption, which describes the believer's new status as a child of God. The Apostle Paul expounds on this in his epistle to the Romans, stating, "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Romans 8:14-15). This passage highlights the intimate relationship believers enter into with God, characterized by the affectionate term "Abba," meaning "Father."

In Galatians 4:4-5 , Paul further explains, "But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive our adoption as sons." Through Christ's redemptive work, believers are not only born anew but are also legally adopted into God's family, enjoying the full rights and privileges of sonship.

Theological Implications

The connection between the New Birth and adoption underscores the comprehensive nature of salvation. The New Birth signifies the internal transformation and renewal of the believer, while adoption emphasizes the change in relational status before God. This dual aspect of salvation assures believers of their identity and inheritance as God's children.

The Apostle John captures the wonder of this reality in 1 John 3:1 : "Behold what manner of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God. And that is what we are!" This declaration affirms the believer's new identity and the profound love of God that makes such a transformation possible.

Practical Outworking

The New Birth and adoption have practical implications for the believer's life. As children of God, believers are called to live in a manner worthy of their new identity, reflecting the character of their Heavenly Father. The Apostle Paul exhorts the Ephesians, "Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children" (Ephesians 5:1). This call to holiness and love is a natural outflow of the believer's new status and relationship with God.

Furthermore, the assurance of being God's children provides comfort and confidence in the believer's walk of faith. The Spirit of adoption bears witness with the believer's spirit, affirming their status as heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ (Romans 8:16-17). This assurance empowers believers to live boldly and securely in their faith, knowing they are eternally loved and accepted by God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 43:6,7
I will say to the north, Give up; and to the south, Keep not back: bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 1:12,13
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
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Library

The Doctrines of Salvation A. Repentance. B. Faith. C. ...
... In the new birth alone is the beginning of such a ... birth, than we had to do with our
first birth. ... The two great problems connected with regeneration are the ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrines of salvation a.htm

Effects of Baptism and of Chrism.
... and sealing the soul is unmistakably connected with Baptism ... If the "adoption" mentioned
at the beginning of this ... and not to Unction, is the new birth, and this ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/chapter vi effects of baptism and.htm

Sons and Heirs
... higher and better life have, of course, connected with them ... all, that each, may receive
the adoption of sons ... No new birth without Christ; no escape from the old ...
/.../maclaren/romans corinthians to ii corinthians chap v/sons and heirs.htm

Concerning the Holy and Immaculate Mysteries of the Lord.
... We were therefore given a birth by water and Spirit ... through the invocation the rain
to this new tillage [2408 ... and anoint himself with oil, He connected the grace ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter xiii concerning the holy and.htm

God Rejoicing in the New Creation
... Man sinned; and in his sin he was so connected with the whole of the ... the joy that
a man is born into the world, so your birth into the new creation causes ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/god rejoicing in the new.htm

The Doctrine of the Church.
... will, admits the necessity of a new birth unto righteousness ... Him to undergo birth,
then by birth He became ... man, who was an ecclesiastic connected with Ptolemais ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter v the doctrine of.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Salvation
... (3) Closely connected with, and ... of the world, and therefore "predestinated unto the
adoption of children ... So it is in the matter of the new birth; with some the ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter four the sovereignty of.htm

Alive or Dead --Which?
... spiritual life, the life received at the new birth, by which ... repentance is like the
cry of the new-born babe ... main point, "Is the hand vitally connected with a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 13 1867/alive or deadwhich.htm

Justifying or Sanctifying Grace
... the regeneration of the sinner as a birth of spirit ... grace, which transfuses nature
into a new unity with ... 3. THE FRIENDSHIP OF GOD."Closely connected with the ...
/.../pohle/grace actual and habitual/section 2 justifying or sanctifying.htm

The Fifth Theological Oration.
... be treated as units when they are so closely connected and of ... comes our New Birth,
and from the New Birth our new creation, and from the new creation our ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/the fifth theological oration.htm