--- title: "Chapter 12: Of Adoption | RP Testimony" description: "Chapter 12 of the RP Testimony: Of Adoption. Read the 2026 RPCNA Constitution text, Scripture proofs, and the corresponding Westminster Confession chapter." canonical: "https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/" source: "https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=48" --- # Chapter 12: Of Adoption | RP Testimony 1. All the elect, and only they, are adopted into the family of God. The adoption of saints under the Old Testament dispensation was as real as that under the New Testament, although they were regarded as children under age. Under the New Testament God bestows His Spirit more abundantly. He gives more knowledge of, and intimacy with, Himself. He receives on equal grounds those from every part of the world. He allows greater boldness in approaching Him. Eph. 1:5; Gal. 3:9; Heb. 13:9-10; Rom. 9:4; Jer. 3:4; Gal. 4:1-5; Matt. 11:11; 2 Cor. 3:10-18; Rom. 9:26; Ps. 72:17. 2. Justification and adoption, although inseparably connected, are nevertheless distinct from one another. They are both acts of God’s free grace. They are both performed once, and not repeated. They both spring from the grace of God; both give a right to all the privileges of the sons of God; and both are received through faith alone. John 1:12; Titus 3:7; 1 John 3:1; Jer. 3: 19; Gal. 3:26; Rom. 8:15-17. 3. Justification applies to believers as those who were guilty, and in a state of condemnation, but whose sins are now pardoned, and they are accounted righteous. Adoption applies to believers as those who were aliens and strangers to God. They were children of wrath, but by this gracious act are brought near unto God and made the children of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. Eph. 2:2-3; 2 Cor. 6:17-18; 1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 12:28; Rom. 8:17; Ps. 16:5; Eph. 1:7; Gal. 4:7. 4. There is a sense in which God is the Father of all men, because He created them. They are therefore obligated to love and seek the welfare of one another; yet to the redeemed alone belongs the right to be called the sons of God. Acts 17:29; Matt. 5:44-45; John 1:12; 1 John 3:1; Rom. 8:14. 5. We reject the common conception of the universal fatherhood of God and the universal brotherhood of men, which denies the distinction between the saved and the unsaved. 1 John 2:23; John 8:44. 6. We reject the teaching that sonship, conferred in adoption, will ever be annulled by God. ## For kids — a study explanation (ages 10–13) These explanations are separate from the official text above. Words to knowAdoptionGod’s welcoming believers into his family as his children through Christ.HeirSomeone who receives an inheritance; God’s children share his promised blessings.RejectsSays that a teaching is wrong and must not be accepted.JustificationGod declaring a sinner righteous because of Christ, received through faith alone. ### Testimony 12.1 God adopts all his chosen people into his family. Old Testament believers were truly his children too; the New Testament brings fuller knowledge, access, and experience of the Spirit’s blessings. [Read original point 1 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-1) ### Testimony 12.2 Being declared righteous and being adopted are distinct gifts that always come together. God gives both once, freely, and through faith alone. [Read original point 2 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-2) ### Testimony 12.3 In justification, God declares us righteous because of Christ. In adoption, he welcomes us into his family as his children. We share in the inheritance he gives with Christ. [Read original point 3 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-3) ### Testimony 12.4 God created everyone, so we owe one another love. Being adopted into his redeemed family, however, is a special gift belonging to believers. [Read original point 4 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-4) ### Testimony 12.5 The Testimony rejects using the language of God as everyone’s Father to erase the difference between those who are saved and those who are not. [Read original point 5 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-5) ### Testimony 12.6 The Testimony rejects the claim that God will later cancel the adoption of someone he has made his child. [Read original point 6 and its Scripture proofs →](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/#point-6) ### Talk about it What does it mean to belong to God’s family? ### Discuss and remember Read the chapter together, then choose a question to talk about. - What does it mean for a believer to belong to God’s family? - How can being God’s child help us when we are afraid? #### Scripture to remember 1 John 3:1 [Read the memory passage in our Bible reader →](https://ctkrp.org/bible/?q=1%20John%203%3A1) Read the passage in context. Explain it in your own words, then practice one short phrase at a time. Review it together during the week. #### Put it into practice Thank your heavenly Father for one way He cares for His children. [Find help for family worship](https://ctkrp.org/family-worship/) Original source: [2026 RPCNA Constitution](https://ctkrp.org/assets/rpcna-constitution-2026.pdf#page=48) ## 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/) - [Westminster Confession · Chapter 12](https://ctkrp.org/confession/chapter-12-adoption/) - [Chapter 11](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-11-justification/) - [Chapter 13](https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-13-sanctification/) Canonical page: https://ctkrp.org/testimony/chapter-12-adoption/