Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Adoption, Refutation of Calvinism
Adoption, Refutation of Calvinism
Adoption, Refutation of Calvinism
Page 1 of 8
Topical Category:
Calvinism Refuted
[?a href="../" target="">Home ] [?a href="kjcalvnr.htm" target="">Up ] [?a href="kjcalvn4.htm" target="">Next ]
?/td>
Adoption
(Refutation of Five Point Calvinism)
From the Book, Subjects of Sovereignty by Andrew Telford Pastor, Berachah Church, 1608 W. Allegheny Ave., Philadelphia, PA. (posted with permission)
Preface
It is dangerous for God to give high truth to highly educated people. There is a danger that in the furtherance of that truth it becomes mixed with an alloy of human wisdom. It pleased God on that first Christmas morning to give high truth to humble men, even shepherds in the fields. These truths of Sovereignty are usually dealt with in the classroom of colleges and seminaries only. In these places they are subjects of theology. They are not dealt with in such a way that the average man or woman in the "work-a-day world" can understand them with any measure of intelligence, or even personal blessing for their own soul. I am not presenting these subjects for students in the theological workshop, but for the average Christian who sits in the church pew to hear the word of God presented with a spiritual application for the heart and soul. I trust that the reading and the study of these subjects as set forth in this volume will somehow help the person who has an open mind to understand more clearly the Bible. I have endeavored to present in the most simple way these blessed truths, so that the common people will hear and understand. The average Christian has been led to believe that these subjects are beyond his mental comprehension and spiritual understanding. Surely, if they are Bible subjects, the Spirit of God will help the humblest believer to understand something of their spiritual meaning and also to derive something of practical help for daily living from them. After having spoken on these subjects to my own congregation in Berachah Church, Philadelphia, Penna., and having referred to them at different times in Bible Conference addresses, I have been asked by a number of Christians to present these four subjects in book form for the benefit of the Christian public. In the presentation of them, I make no attempt to pose as either a scholar or an author, but am trying as a servant of Christ to present some subjects that have been much misunderstood by
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 2 of 8
so many. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Clifton L. Fowler, who was the founder of the Denver Bible Institute, Denver, Colorado, for help in these studies. I trust as this book goes forward it will bring joy and peace to the hearts of God's people, and the renewed assurance that "He doeth ALL things well."
Adoption
When we study the subject of Adoption please keep in mind that we are studying a subject that has a prominent place in the Word of God. May we open our Bibles together to Paul's epistle to the Romans, Chapter 8, and let us read a number of verses that have to do with subjects pertaining to the Sovereignty of God, and especially the subject of Adoption. 15. "For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father." 23. "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the Adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Here are two verses of Scripture that speak clearly of the matter of Adoption. In my early Christian life, I always had difficulty with these four subjects that have to do with the Sovereignty of God. I heard people mention these subjects and often heard preachers refer to them. I noticed some turned to them from time to time and would make certain statements regarding them, but none seemed to give a soul and heart exposition of them that would bring certainty and satisfaction to the mind. I decided that there was a fuller and a clearer setting forth of these truths in the Word of God than I had ever heard. I had listened to a man say that such subjects as Predestination, Election, and Foreknowledge, although Bible subjects, were too deep and complicated for the average Christian to study and gain any measure of understanding or satisfaction. I am sorry to say that this seems to be the attitude of the Lord's people in general toward these subjects. If these are Bible subjects, and no one has any doubt, but that they are, surely the Spirit of God has presented them in the Scriptures in such a way that the average Christian shall be able to get some help from them. Let me say that in the presentation of any subject, the preacher and teacher should be able to so present it that even his hearers know nothing of the subject at the beginning of his message, they will clearly understand it at the close, or when he has finished dealing with the subject. In other words, the subject matter must not only be clear in the teacher's mind, but he must make sure that he has the ability by the Grace of God to make it clear in the minds of those to whom he ministers. Now let us consider the subject of Adoption. I have a Christian friend who lived in the neighborhood where the parents of a little boy had died. Some kind neighbor who knew the family, and had learned to love the little boy felt keenly the little fellow's situation and his tremendous loss of the passing-away of his parents. They decided to befriend him and took him into their home to raise. After some time had elapsed, and their love for him had increased, they decided to adopt the boy into their family. In due course of time the adoption papers were made out, and he became, by adoption, their son. They were delighted with him. They loved him. When he was hungry between meals, they were delighted to satisfy his cravings with bread and butter, even put brown sugar on it. It was good. When the parents hugged and kissed him before putting him to bed at night, it was the best kind of hug and kiss that they could give him. A couple of years went by and God gave them a baby of their own. My Christian friend said, "There was something I always noticed about the different ways in which these two children were raised. One child was their own, while the other was their
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 3 of 8
adopted child. The parents were lovely people hut I always noticed as a neighbor boy, when they gave the bread and butter to the children, their own son always seemed to receive the largest slice. I noticed that when the father and mother hugged the children that they hugged their own boy a little tighter and held him a little longer than they did the adopted boy. They were good parents but, I noticed those things I then and there made up my mind that if my parents died, I did not want to be anybody's adopted boy. I saw there was a difference between the real son and the adopted son. In due course of time I was saved; and being a Christian I began to earnestly read and search the Scriptures. When I came to the subject of Adoption in the Bible, I wondered if I really belonged to the Lord or was I only God's adopted son ? I wanted to be one of God's very own sons. I did not want to simply be adopted. The reason I have told you this story and account of my Christian friend, is that we might give the subject of Adoption our serious consideration.
Definition of Adoption
Adoption is a definite act of God whereby God sets a goal for the believer. I want you to think very carefully of this definition. This is not the definition commonly used or thought of regarding this subject. Now let us see if this is a true definition. Adoption is a subject that has to do with the sovereignty of God. It is a definite act of the sovereign God, whereby He sets a goal for the believer. There are certain subjects that have to do with man's power of choice, but the subjects we are studying, namely Adoption, Predestination, Election, and Foreknowledge are subjects that have to do with acts of God. Man has nothing to do with these divine acts. Now we are going to look at several portions of Scripture that deal with the subject of Adoption.
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 4 of 8
7. "That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in HIS kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." That unfolding of the riches of His grace will be experienced by redeemed men when we are son-placed. May we again quote the definition? Adoption is a definite act of God whereby God sets a goal for the believer.
?/td>
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 5 of 8
For our blessing, and for our comfort, and that we might have full assurance, God has made a tremendous statement in this Scripture regarding the certainty of our Adoption. Notice this verse: "Having predestinated us unto the Adoption." Our Adoption is in the predestination purpose of God for the Church which is His Body. Remember that the word "Predestinate" always carries with it certainty and surety. Our Adoption is certain since it was predestinated that every believer shall arrive at that goal. Let us look up and thank God, that one day we shall be Son-Placed. Bless God for the assurance of it, and let us daily live in anticipation of this coming experience. God has given us this truth to strengthen our faith and deepen our hope. God says we will be Son-Placed, and please remember that God cannot lie.
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 6 of 8
They don't want to leave this world readily. They are fastened to things down here. It will be hard for them to leave this old world behind. We need to have some new visions as set forth in the Word of God of the future realities of heaven, and some experiences of the Grace of God in our souls to free us and liberate us from the love of this world. We are citizens of another world. We are citizens of Heaven. We ought to look toward Heaven and for the joy of seeing the King in His beauty, and being made like Him. This is what we should long for. Yea, groan within ourselves, waiting for the Adoption to take place.
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 7 of 8
woman, made under the law," That was the time when the divine clock in the future purpose of God struck. Let me ask you something. Why did Jesus Christ come ? Why was he born? Why did he come into this world at that definite time ? In Galatians 4:5, we find the answer. 5. "To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." To redeem them that were under the law Who were they? Everybody. Everyone was under the demand of the law as well as the penalty of the law. Everyone was under the mastery of the law. The law had locked us up in prison, and we were to receive the penalty of the violation of a broken law. Only the coming of the Lord Jesus could open the door and free us. The text says that Jesus Christ came to redeem them that were under the law, that we: (this little word with two letters designates those who are sons of God)-the saved folks who were already sons of God, had been made sons by faith in Jesus Christ. The text says that Jesus Christ came that we might receive the adoption of sons. When Christ came, He came into this world, not only to be the Saviour for sinners but He provided the blessings for sons. Adoption is for those who are the sons of God. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, you should live in the joyous anticipation of that coming event. The day when you shall see the King in His beauty, will be the day when you, as a child of God will be son-placed.
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012
Adoption
Page 8 of 8
23. "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." When I am son-placed, I will have a new body. It is future, it is certain, it brings perennial joy to think about it. Then we will be there. If a man is not saved, he will never be there when the son-placing takes place, but if a man receives Jesus Christ as his Saviour he will not miss being son-placed. This subject has to do with the sovereignty of God. Adoption is one of the future blessings for the man who believes in Christ as planned by the wisdom of the Triune God. No child of God need ever be afraid of losing his Adoption papers. The word of God is eternally settled in Heaven. You will never be allowed to go out into the blackness of darkness forever. What a joy, what a hope, what a satisfaction to know that "we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."
To continue with this study on The Sovereignty of God go to the next subject presented by Andrew Telford: Predestination. The Preface is repeated and can be skipped.
Other Articles On This Site Under the Topic of Calvinism Refuted: [?a href="kjcalvnr.htm" target="">Up ] [ Adoption ] [?a href="kjcalvn4.htm" target="">Calvin's Error of Limited Atonement ] ?/td> [?a href="kjcalvn2.htm" target="">Did Christ Die For All? ] [?a href="kjcelect.htm" target="">Election ] [?a href="kjcalvn1.htm" target="">Five Point Calvinism? The Position of Fundamental Baptist World?Wide Mission ] [?a href="kjcfknow.htm" target="">Foreknowledge ] [?a href="kjcprede.htm" target="">Predestination ] [?a href="kjcalvn7.htm" target="">Problems With a Limited View of the Atonement ] [?a href="kjcalvn6.htm" target="">The Death Christ Died?A Case for Unlimited Atonement-Introduction ]
?!--msnavigation-->
HOME | FUNDAMENTAL EVANGELISTIC ASSOCIATION SITE | RADIO BROADCASTS
Are you sure you are saved and on your way to heaven? Please read? "Have You Considered This?" and be sure!
email KCondron
http://www.biblebelievers.net/Calvinism/kjcadopt.htm
4/3/2012