Scriptural Evidence for Being Children of God
The concept of being children of God is rooted in various biblical passages that describe the relationship between God and believers. In the New Testament, this concept is closely tied to the idea of adoption, where believers are considered children of God through faith in Jesus Christ [8].
The biblical basis for this doctrine can be seen in several key passages. In Romans 8:16, it is written that "The Spirit is witness with our spirit that we are children of God" [2]. This verse highlights the role of the Holy Spirit in testifying to believers about their status as children of God. Similarly, in Galatians 4:6, it is stated that "because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!'" [6]. This passage emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and believers, where they can address God as Father.
The idea of being children of God is also linked to the concept of adoption. According to John Gill's commentary on Galatians 3:26, believers are considered children of God "by divine adoption by an act of God's rich and sovereign grace" [8]. This adoption is not based on natural birth or human merit but is a result of God's gracious act.
In the Old Testament, the concept of being children of God is also present, although it is not as explicitly developed as in the New Testament. In Hosea 1:10, it is written that "yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass that, in the place where it was said unto them, 'Ye are not my people,' it shall be said unto them, 'Ye are the sons of the living God'" [4]. This passage highlights God's gracious relationship with his people, where they are considered his children.
The biblical concept of being children of God has significant implications for believers. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, being a child of God means being a gift from God, being capable of glorifying God, and being entitled to God's promises [3]. Believers are also expected to obey God, fear God, and honor their parents [3].
In the view of the Baptist/Reformed tradition, as represented by John Gill's commentaries, the status of being children of God is closely tied to regeneration and faith. According to Gill, adoption makes believers children of God, while regeneration gives them the nature of children of God [9]. This understanding emphasizes the importance of spiritual rebirth in establishing a person's status as a child of God.
The Presbyterian tradition, as represented by the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary on Romans 1:4, also highlights the significance of Jesus Christ being declared the Son of God. This declaration is seen as a demonstration of his divine sonship and proper deity [7].
The scriptural evidence for being children of God underscores the depth of God's love and relationship with believers. As Ephesians 5:1 states, "Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children" [1]. This verse encourages believers to imitate God and live as dear children, reflecting their status as children of God.
The biblical concept of being children of God is a multifaceted doctrine that encompasses adoption, regeneration, and faith. It highlights the intimate relationship between God and believers, where they can address God as Father and live as dear children. The various biblical passages and commentaries from different traditions provide a rich understanding of this doctrine, emphasizing its significance for Christian theology and practice.
The significance of this doctrine is further underscored by its connection to the promises of God. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, the promises of God are made to believers as children of God, and they are entitled to these promises [5]. This understanding emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God's promises for believers.
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 5:1 (Geneva1599) — Bee yee therefore followers of God, as deare children,”
- Romans “Romans 8:16 (BBE) — The Spirit is witness with our spirit that we are children of God:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Children — Christ was an example to -- Lu 2:51; Joh 19:26,27. Are a gift from God -- Ge 33:5; Ps 127:3. Are capable of glorifying God -- Ps 8:2; 148:12,13; Mt 21:15,16. Should be Brought to Christ. -- Mr 10:13-16. Brought early to the house of God. -- 1Sa 1:24. Instructed in the ways of God. -- De 31:12,13; Pr 22:6. Judiciously trained. -- Pr 22:15; 29:17; Eph 6:4. Should Obey God. -- De 30:2. Fear God. -- Pr 24:21. Remember God. -- Ec 12:1. Attend to parental teaching. -- Pr 1:8,9. Honour parents. -- Ex 20:12; Heb 12:9. Fear parents. -- Le 19:3. Obey parents. -- Pr ”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Son of God — The plural, "sons of God," is used (Gen. 6:2, 4) to denote the pious descendants of Seth. In Job 1:6; 38:7 this name is applied to the angels. Hosea uses the phrase (1:10) to designate the gracious relation in which men stand to God. In the New Testament this phrase frequently denotes the relation into which we are brought to God by adoption (Rom. 8:14, 19; 2 Cor. 6:18; Gal. 4:5, 6; Phil. 2:15; 1 John 3:1, 2). It occurs thirty-seven times in the New Testament as the distinctive title of our Saviour. He does not bear this title in consequence of his mirac”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Promises of God, The — Contained in the Scriptures -- Ro 1:2. Made in Christ -- Eph 3:6; 2Ti 1:1. Made to Christ. -- Ga 3:16,19. Abraham. -- Ge 12:3,7; Ga 3:16. Isaac. -- Ge 26:3,4. Jacob. -- Ge 28:14. David. -- 2Sa 7:12; Ps 89:3,4,35,36. The Israelites. -- Ro 9:4. The Fathers. -- Ac 13:32; 26:6,7. All who are called of God. -- Ac 2:39. Those who love him. -- Jas 1:12; 2:5. Confirmed by an oath -- Ps 89:3,4; Heb 8:6. Covenant established upon -- Heb 8:6. God is faithful to -- Tit 1:2; Heb 10:23. God remembers -- Ps 105:42; Lu 1:54,55. Are Good. -- 1Ki 8:56. Holy. -- ”
- Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 4:6: 4:6 The Holy Spirit provides an inner testimony to assure us that we are God’s children (see Rom 8:16; Eph 1:13-14). • Those who have the Spirit of his Son are able to address God as Father, just as Christ did (Mark 14:36; cp. Matt 6:9).”
- Romans (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Romans 1:4: And declared--literally, "marked off," "defined," "determined," that is, "shown," or "proved." to be the Son of God--Observe how studiously the language changes here. He "was MADE [says the apostle] of the seed of David, according to the flesh" (Rom 1:3); but He was not made, He was only "declared [or proved] to BE the Son of God." So Joh 1:1, Joh 1:14, "In the beginning WAS the Word . . . and the Word was MADE flesh"; and Isa 9:6, "Unto us a Child is BORN, unto us a Son is GIVEN." Thus the Sonship of Christ is in no proper sense a born relationship t”
- Galatians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Galatians 3:26: For ye are all the children of God,.... Not by nature, as Christ is the Son of God, for he is the only begotten of the Father, and in such sense as neither angels nor men are the sons of God; nor by creation, as Adam and all mankind, and the angels are; but by divine adoption by an act of God's rich and sovereign grace, putting them among the children in saying this the apostle directs himself to the Gentiles for their comfort, and says this of them all in a judgment of charity, they being under a profession of faith; lest they should think, because they were not A”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:10: In this the children of God are manifest,.... By regenerating grace, and not sinning, in the sense before explained, in consequence of it: adoption is an act of God's grace and sovereign will; it is secret in his own heart, and is secured in divine predestination, and in the covenant of grace, and is antecedent to regeneration: regeneration and faith do not make men the children of God, but manifest them to be so; adoption makes them the children of God, and entitles them to the inheritance; regeneration gives them the nature of the children of God, and makes them mee”