Adoption is a word used by the King James translators to convey the meaning of the Greek word " huiothesis ." Huiothesia is a compound word: from " Huios " (a son) and "Thesia" (a setting or placing). Therefore, it actually means, "the placing of one in the position of a son."
    The word adoption is used in the following scriptures: Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:5, Rom. 8:15; 23 and Romans 9:4.     The adoption belongs to Israel. "Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the Adoption , the Glory, and the giving of the Law, and the service of God, and the Promises" (Rom. 9:4). Only God's covenant people are in the position of being placed as a son. They have a special relationship with the Heavenly Father. They can interact with him as a son does with his physical father. Only the ones in this position have this relationship. One enters the new covenant by scriptural water baptism. The Lord's covenant people are his church. They are God's Israel. The adoption pertains to these people. It does not pertain to any saved person outside the body of Christ!
    One receives the Holy Spirit, or the spirit of adoption , in the body of Christ. The Spirit was promised to, and given to the church on the day of Pentecost. Since then He has indwelt the Lord's body as the earnest of the church saint's inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession (Eph. 1:14). This is what the adopted sons of God are waiting for, the redemption of the body !
    The members of the Lord's church, his adopted sons, are waiting to receive the nature of their Father (2 Pet. 1:4). They are waiting to receive his glorified existence. The members of the Lord's church have been predestinated to this position. Predestination is in view of adoption, not salvation from hell. Many people who are saved from hell do not have the spirit of adoption . They are not in the position of being foreknown, called, sanctified, justified, or glorified! This is clearly what the scriptures teach.
    One of the most precious truths of the New Testament was stated by Jesus in Matt. 11:25-27. As He uttered a prayer of thanksgiving for the small group of disciples to whom the Father had been revealed: "I thank thee, 0 father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."
    I have often wondered why it is that certain people who have been members of New Testament churches for several years never seem to come to an intimate knowledge of the Lord and Kingdom truth: while others who have been a part of the body of Christ for only a short period of time almost immediately seem to begin acquiring an in-depth perception of the word of the Lord. I believe the solution is found in this profound statement of our Lord, which we have just noted.
     "Because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes." The Greek word rendered "babes" by the King James translators is "Nepios" which literally means, "an infant who is not yet able to talk." Jesus is, therefore, declaring a great truth by presenting an extreme contrast; the heavenly Father has so fixed it that the mysteries of the kingdom are hidden to the wise of the world, but openly revealed to the disciple who is totally dependent on the father even as a small child is on his parents!
    It was for this reason that Jesus spoke in parables, "And the disciples came, and said unto him why speakest thou unto them in parables? He answered and said unto them, because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given." Matt. 13:10-11.
    The condition of our hearts as New Testament disciples is so very essential to our spiritual maturity. It should concern every one of us to maintain a proper attitude and condition of heart so that we may come to a clearer understanding of the word.
    I truly hope we will not ascribe these glorious covenant blessings to all who have only trusted in first belief.