Lesson 33 & 34 March 17, 2002

Ø 8:14-17 The rest of this paragraph takes a turn, a new direction, with a new theme; still connected with the previous verses

Flow of the context:

1. vs:14 The leading of sons

2. vs:15a The adoption of sons

3. vs:15b The intimacy of sons

4. vs:16 The confidence of sons

5. vs:17a The heirship of sons

6. vs:17b The glorification of sons

1. 8:14 The leading of sons

His focus for the rest of the paragraph is on those who are living by the Spirit; these he says are constantly being lead by the Spirit of God.

- The way that the Holy Spirit leads/guides is through the truth.

The more we know about who we are in Christ and what is ours because of that relationship and His faithful provision the more we should be motivated in our life to walk by the Spirit and honor our Savior.

2. 8:15a The adoption of sons

- Paul's assurance to us here is that when we became believers the Holy Spirit's leadership in our lives does not involve a bondage to the Sin nature which results in fear.

Having an attitude of adoption gives us great confidence and assurance as we understand what's involved in adoption, which we'll find speaks to our standing before God!

- In the context Paul uses 2 terms to describe the believer, the son and children.

ui`o,j = adult son; speaks of legal standing; our legal standing with God.

te,knon = lit. a born one, child in the family; [regeneration]

- Word adoption = ui`oqesi,a; to place as a son; it is a legal term

Observations on Adoption

1. The practice of adoption in Rome: it was all within the family; not so involved as today, quite common.

- The toga of youth, would be removed, and in its place the toga virilis, the toga of manhood is placed on him by the father.

- he then was considered an adult with all the privileges of an adult were given:

* What is stressed here with this ceremony of adoption is a change in relationship, from child in the family to an adult son.

2. Another procedure for adoption, this one is for one who had no heir or was not satisfied that one of his own progeny was qualified to be his heir.

In this adoption a person had to pass from one patria potestas to another. One parental authority to another.

3. Consequences of this adoption under Roman law.

a. The adoptee was taken out of a relationship and put into a new one with a new patria potestas, a new father, a new authority.

b. Under the law, the old life of the adopted person was wiped out; all debts and obligations were canceled.

c. The adoptee became heir of his new father's estate!

d. In the eyes of the law he was absolutely the son of his new father.

e. The new father was owner of all the adoptee's possessions.

f. New father had the right and authority to control the adoptee's behavior and relationships.

Stages of Adoption

#1 destruction of the old paternal power, patria potestas

#2 establishment of the new authority, new potestas

Spiritual Application of the Truth of Adoption

It is the Holy Spirit who has an important role in adoption; As the "Spirit of adoption."

1. Adoption is the act of God placing "His born ones" into an adult standing in the family. [part of our new position]

2. Since we are now adult sons we are able to draw on the Fathers wealth, the spiritual blessings in Christ, and are able to exercise all the privileges of sonship.

3. There is also a future aspect to our adoption; related to the return of Christ and our receiving our resurrection bodies. Rom 8:22-23

3. 8:15b The intimacy of sons;

"by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"

- Intimacy of our relationship with the Father since we're sons is seen in the term; Abba

- This term Father is important to us; it is the proper term for addressing God in prayer.

- What about the unbeliever who calls out to the Father; John 8 deals with this!

4. 8:16 The confidence/assurance of sons

This verse expresses Paul's understanding of just how emphatically personal the Holy Spirit is!

- The H/S witnesses together with our spirit not to our spirits of the fact of the new birth, that we belong to God, that we're sons.

- What we have here is the fact of the witness of the Holy Spirit with our human spirit that we are children of God.

- What is being confirmed here?

- So what's the bottom line for assurance?

5. 8:17a The heirship of sons

- As a believer, as a son, you are an heir of God, not only that, you are also fellow heirs with Christ!

- This is what adoption is all about; God has placed us as sons, with all the rights privileges and benefits and blessings that comes from being God's son; this includes an inheritance;

present [Eph 1:3; and future [1 Pet. 1:3-4]

- If you think about what this context is saying, that your a born one of God, that your His son, that your one of His heirs it will put into perspective all the cares of this life.

Ø Elements involved in Heirship!

1. Heirship is determined by relationship!

2. Heirship is initiated by death. Heb. 9:16-17

3. Heirship is also defined as a partnership Rom. 8:17

- In fact vs:17 says there are 3 partnerships

1 - fellow heirs sugklhrono,moj

2 - suffer with sumpa,scw

3 - glorified with sundoxa,zw

4. Heirship, future aspect, is described by Peter in 1 Pet 1:3-4.

#1. Imperishable - nothing can destroy it; therefore knows no termination

#2. Undefiled - no tarnish or stain/dim purity; knows no imperfection

#3. Not fade away - no change in value or glory; knows no change over time

#4. Reserved in heaven - [perf.tense] secure forever!

5. Heirship is characterized by suffering, 8:17b

6. Heirship is culminated by glorification - 8:17c

What about this suffering here?

- Suffering is not a condition of heirship but what is being said here is that suffering will be a part of the relationship as heirs!

- Jesus predicted this suffering before the Cross. John 15:18-21; 16:1-3

- He also gave them great hope 16:33; 17:14; 1 Ths. 3:3-4; 2 Tim 3:12

- This present suffering is a God-given privilege. Phil. 1:29; Acts 5:41

- It has an impact on your reward when He returns! 1 Pet 4:13