Proposition 5

The first disciples were considered and addressed by the Apostles as "adopted into the family of God."

This adoption is presented by the Apostle as the great reason that called forth the Son of God. "God," he says, "sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, that he might redeem those under the law, so that we might receive the adoption of sons." "And because you are sons, he sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father."20 "You are, therefore, now sons of God."

Indeed, the same writer, in his letter to the Ephesians, goes even further and represents this adoption of Jews and Gentiles into the rank and dignity of the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty as the great purpose contemplated in God's predestination. "Having," he says, "predestined, or beforehand determinately marked us out, for an adoption into the number of children through Jesus Christ, for himself, according to the good pleasure of his will."21 Another testimony must suffice on this point. "Beloved," says the Apostle John, "now we are the sons of God; and what kind of love God has given us, that we should be called sons of God!" "If sons, then we are heirs of God — joint heirs with Christ."