What does adoption mean in the Greek and Roman practice?
In the Greek and Roman practice, adoption meant the placing of that son as a full partner and heir with the Father. That is what adoption means. God predestinated believers to that position, and the moment a person is saved, he is where God intended him to be from eternity past.
Les explains that the word adoption, coming out of Greek and Roman practice, meant the placing of that son as a full partner and heir with the Father. He ties this to God’s predestination: God has kept that place open for every believer, so that the moment he is saved, he is right where God intended him to be from eternity past. Therefore predestination is about position, the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself according to the pleasure of His good will. Les also points back to Acts chapter 2, verses 22 and 23, where Peter preaches to the nation of Israel still under the law, and notes that those Jews knew their Old Testament even though they were in rank unbelief.