What does the spirit of adoption do for us?
The spirit of adoption places us in Christ, so we can cry, Abba, Father, and call God our Father with every right. It replaces the spirit of bondage and fear tied to law and legalism, and the Holy Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are sons of God.
Les explains from Romans 8:14-17 that as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God, so without the Holy Spirit's leading they are not a son. He contrasts the spirit of bondage again to fear, which is law and legalism; when law is put on people it produces superstition and fear, making them scared they are not doing things right or not doing enough. But Paul says we have none of that. Instead we have received the spirit of adoption, that which places us in Christ, whereby we cry, Abba, Father, and can call God our Father with every right. Then the Holy Spirit Himself, that member of the Godhead, bears witness with our spirit.
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.
More Questions
What does adoption mean in the Bible according to Paul?
The word 'adoption' as Paul uses it does not mean adopting a child born to someone else into a family, but refers to the Greek and Roman practice of placing the eldest son under tutors until he is fully educated and can stand side by side with his father.
What did Paul mean by the word 'adoption'?
When Paul uses 'adoption,' he does not mean what our culture means by legally adopting a child born to someone else; he means the Greek and Roman practice in which the eldest son was placed under tutors, completely under their control, until he was fully educated and could step in beside his father.