Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

316 | Picturing Theology, Revised Edition

A. Birth 1. John 1:12-13 (ESV) – Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent , nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. 2. John 3:3 (ESV) – In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the Kingdom of God unless he is born again .” 3. 1 Peter 1:23 (ESV) – For you have been born again , not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 4. 1 Peter 1:3 (ESV) – Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. B. Adoption 1. Romans 8:23 (ESV) – Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons , the redemption of our bodies. 2. Ephesians 1:4-6 (ESV) – For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ , in accordance with his pleasure and will - to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. 3. Galatians 4:4-7 (ESV) – But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons . Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir. C. Marriage 1. John 3:29 (ESV) – The bride belongs to the bridegroom . The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. [Spoken by John the Baptist in reference to Christ.]