Friends,

In my sermon I mentioned a quote by William Barclay on Roman adoption. I think Paul had this in mind in describing God the Father’s adopting of us. Let me quote Barclay here for you to consider.

There were 4 parts of the adoption process.

1. The adopted person lost all rights in his old family and gained all rights of a legitimate son in his new family. In the most binding legal way, he got a new father.
2. It followed that he became heir to his new father’s estate. Even if other sons were afterwards born, it did not affect his rights. He was inalienably co-heir with them.
3. In law, the old life of the adopted person was completely wiped out; for instance, all debts were cancelled. He was regarded as a new person entering into a new life with which the past had nothing to do.
4. In the eyes of the law he was absolutely the son of his new father.

The adoption ceremony was carried out in the presence of seven witnesses. If someone in the future disputed the inheritance, and the father had died, one of the witnesses would confirm the adoption. It is the Holy Spirit who confirms God is our new Father!

Barclay says, “Once we were in the absolute control of our own sinful nature; but God, in his mercy, has brought us into his absolute possession. The old life has no more rights over us; God has an absolute right. The past is cancelled and it’s debts wiped out; we begin a new life with God and become heirs of all his riches.”

Pastor Ed