---
title: "Question 34: What is adoption? | Westminster Shorter Catechism"
description: "Westminster Shorter Catechism, question 34: What is adoption? Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of t"
canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-34-what-is-adoption/"
source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=163"
---

# Question 34: What is adoption? | Westminster Shorter Catechism

Adoption is an act of God’s free grace, whereby we are received into the number, and have a right to all the privileges, of the sons of God.

Scripture proofs: 1 John 3:1; John 1:12; Rom. 8:17.

Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=163)

## Related reading

- [Salvation by grace through faith](https://ctkrp.org/learn/topics/salvation-by-grace/)
- [Westminster Confession of Faith · Chapter 10: Of Effectual Calling](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-10-effectual-calling/)
- [Westminster Shorter Catechism · Question 29: How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-29-how-are-we-made-partakers-of-the-redemption-purchased/)
- [Westminster Larger Catechism · Question 67: What is effectual calling?](https://ctkrp.org/larger-catechism/question-67-what-is-effectual-calling/)
- [Question 33](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-33-what-is-justification/)
- [Question 35](https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-35-what-is-sanctification/)

Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/shorter-catechism/question-34-what-is-adoption/