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.”.
Lesson 011:
Predestined for Adoption
Watch the Video
Listen to and Download the Lesson
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app by searching for “Deeper Christian Ephesians” or clicking the button below.
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.”
- Roman Adoption Ceremony:
- 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
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.
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
If you desire to join me in preparing for next week’s study, I encourage you to do the following three things:
- Read the book of Ephesians (preferably every day)
- Saturate in Ephesians 1:3-14 (the blessing section)
- 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.”
Help Others Out –
Leave a Rating & Review on Apple Podcasts (formerly called iTunes)
If you enjoyed the show, please take 30 seconds and rate it on Apple Podcasts and write a brief review. This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might also enjoy it—as Apple uses the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the show.
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
Read more about him here.
Subscribe to the Podcast
If you have enjoyed this podcast, please subscribe on your favorite app.
Leave a rating & review
If you enjoyed the podcast, please take 30 seconds and rate it on your favorite app (and write a brief review if you can). This would be a tremendous blessing to help us get the word out to others who might be encouraged and blessed by it—apps use the rating and reviews in their searches to help other people find the podcast.
About NRJohnson
NRJohnson (Nathan Johnson) has an overwhelming passion for Jesus, the Gospel, and Studying God’s Word. He is a writer, teacher, and communicator who helps other believers understand and apply the Bible as they grow and mature in their faith—desiring that they gain greater intimacy with Christ, experience the victorious Christian life, and transform the world through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Read more about him here.
About the Ephesians Bible Study series
This Bible Study series in Ephesians is a Christ-centered practical in-depth verse-by-verse study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. Join Nathan Johnson as he expositionally preaches from this incredible book — which will help you grow in your faith, gain greater intimacy with Jesus, and understand how to study God’s Word.
