Predestined for Adoption (Ephesians 1:5)

In Lesson 11 of the Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians, we examine Paul’s statement that God has predestined us for adoption as children of the King.

This in-depth study focuses on Ephesians 1:5 and discusses what it means to be “predestined to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will.”.

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Lesson 011:
Predestined for Adoption

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A Simple Study Reference

Passage: Ephesians 1:5
Predestined for Adoption

Ephesians 1:5 – … He predestined us to adoption as sons to Himself through Jesus Christ according to the good pleasure of His will …

• Predestined
  • 2 Greek words put together: before + determine = to determine beforehand
• Adoption
  • Roman Adoption Ceremony:
    • Symbolic sale in which copper and scales were used – biological father would sell his son twice and bought him back; third time it was final and the father could never buy his son back.
    • New father would plead the case of adoption before one of the principal Roman magistrates – THEN the adoption was final.
    • The individual adopted had all rights of a legitimate son in the new family and completely lost all rights in his old family. In the eyes of the law, he was a new person. So new was he that even all his debts and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they had never existed.
  • Father’s Power (Patria Potestas)
    • Roman historian Dio Cassius wrote: “the law of the Romans gives a father absolute authority over his son, and that for the son’s whole life. It gives [the father] authority; if he so chooses, to imprison [his son], to scourge him, to make him work on his estate as a slave in [chains], even to kill him. The right still continues to exist even if the son is old enough to play an active part in political affairs, even if he has been judged worthy to occupy the magistrate’s office, and even if he is held in honour by all men.”
• 2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. Look, all things have become new.”
• REALITIES OF ADOPTION
  • Death to life (see Ephesians 2:1-6)
  • Relationship » oneness and intimacy
  • Relationship » do you look like your new adopted father (ie: God)?
  • Test the adoption: are you looking more like your Father? Is your life becoming ever more holy and blameless (see Ephesians 1:4)
  • You are under the authority, protection, and provision of the Father

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NRJohnson Commentary on “Predestined for Adoption” in Ephesians 1:5

» sorry for the delay on the commentaries, I am working on it and will have it available on here shortly. Thanks for your patience.

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In Our Next Study Together …

I invite you to join me on this journey from the book of Ephesians to discover God’s eternal purpose, His plan for your life, and learn how to practically live out an abundant and fruitful Christian life. 

If you desire to join me in preparing for next week’s study, I encourage you to do the following three things:

1. Read the book of Ephesians (preferably every day)
2. Saturate in Ephesians 1:3-14 (the blessing section)
3. Do a study in verse 6 and specifically “to the praise of the glory of His grace which He graciously bestowed on us in the Beloved.”

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The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series

The Deeper Christian Bible Study Series in Ephesians is an in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. These studies will guide you through this life-changing book of the Bible and give you practical application to help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, experience the victorious Christian life, and help you build your life around Jesus Christ. 

About NRJohnson 

NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) is a Christian who has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps Christians discover and experience a passionate love for God and His Word so that they can grow in their faith, live victorious lives, share the Gospel boldly, grow in their intimacy with Jesus, and transform the world through the indwelling life of Christ.
Read more about him here.