A Biblical View of Adoption
Adoption provides us with the backdrop of the New Testament description of our relationship with God—a relationship that we don’t experience naturally. In other words, a relationship with God is not a universal status that everyone enters into by natural birth, but rather a supernatural gift that one receives by God’s grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It’s a matter of the Lord of heaven and earth condescending to adopt us into his family.
In Roman law, it was a recognized practice for an adult who wanted an heir to carry on the family name, to adopt a male as his son. A Roman citizen could legally choose to withhold an inheritance from a natural son. He could not, however, withhold such from an adopted son.
In regeneration (or new birth), God gives us new spiritual life within. In justification, he gives us a right legal standing before him (i.e., the imputed righteousness of his own Son). In adoption, however, God makes us members of his family. Therefore, the biblical teaching on adoption focuses much more on the personal relationship that salvation gives us with God and his people. Not only does the Lord forgive us our sins, but he also treats us as his very own children. “To be right with God the Judge is a great thing, but to be loved and cared for by God the Father is greater!” (J. I. Packer, Knowing God). Thus, adoption provides us with a status that affords us the glorious riches of Christ Jesus.
The Apostle John mentions adoption at the beginning of his gospel, when he says in John 1:12, “But to all who did receive him [i.e., Jesus], who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” By contrast, we discover in the New Testament that those who are not children of God, who are not adopted into his family, are referred to as “children of wrath” (Ephesians 2:3) and “sons of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6).
God has adopted us as his children to be his heirs; to see and share in the glory of his Son. Thus, Galatians 4:4-7 says, “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under law, to redeem those who were under law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba, Father!’ So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.”
Romans 8:15-16 says, “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.”
Ephesians 1:5 says, “He predestined us for adoption through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will.” Our understanding of Christianity is never greater than our grasp of the biblical teaching on adoption. The gospel of our Lord Jesus—his death, burial, resurrection, and subsequent ascension to the right hand of the Father—has secured our very sonship in the family of Almighty God!
Adoption must certainly be seen to be the highest privilege that the gospel of Christ offers us—the privilege of being a child of God the Father. There could be no more powerful imagery for those who come to consider adopting a child on this earth over which the Lord reigns.
The Redeemer Adoption Fund
The Redeemer Adoption Fund exists to encourage and enable members of Redeemer Church to build their families through adopting orphans both locally and around to world to the glory of God. We desire to create a culture of adoption within this local body of believers as a means by which to proactively demonstrate our faith in God as the Creator, Sustainer, and Lord of all life. We desire to resound with a clarion call the fact that we affirm all life as being created by the Lord of heaven and earth and thus, valuable as bearers of his image.
Who may apply for funding?
Members of Redeemer Church who have begun the adoption process are eligible to apply for funding.
How would one apply for funding?
Submit a letter requesting funding and participate in a follow-up interview with the elders of Redeemer Church.
What types of expenses are eligible for funding?
All qualified adoption expenses excluding initial application fees are eligible for funding.
How much funding can the applicant expect?
The amount of funding is entirely dependent on the amount of funds available at the time, the number of other requests for funding, and the degree of need for financial assistance. We cannot at any time guarantee a specific amount.
How is it funded?
In a commitment to making adoption affordable for members of Redeemer Church, 1% of all general giving funds are directed to the adoption fund. Designated contributions from individuals also are periodically added to this fund. All contributions are tax-deductible.