God the Holy Spirit, Mentor's Guide, MG14

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G O D T H E H O L Y S P I R I T

C. The key theological principles that the Bible teaches about adoption

1. God is the Creator of all people but not the Father of all .

a. 1 John 3.8 (cf. John 8.44)

b. No human being naturally belongs to God’s family. We are not born into God’s family as infants but rather must become adopted children of God (Eph. 1.5) through faith in Christ Jesus.

c. Key verse: Gal. 3.26

2. Becoming a child of God is not a right but a privilege .

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a. We have no claim on God or his love (Matt. 3.9; Rom. 3.10-12; Eph. 2.3).

Ministry Insight Adoption helps us understand that we are not in control of our salvation. (You can pick your friends but not your family). New converts are not simply coming to

b. God’s gracious love is the only reason he adopts us. (Rom. 4.16; Rom. 5.20-21; Eph. 2.8-9; Titus 3.4-5).

Jesus, they are coming to the family of God.

c. Key verses:

(1) Eph. 2.3-5

(2) 1 John 3.1