(This and other questions are selections from the "Question Book", which contains hundreds of questions asked of pastor C.T. Russell in various public meetings. The book is available in our online Bookstore. You can find the entire content at www.ctrussell.us under "Supplemental - Question Book")
ADOPTION-- To Whom Does Spirit of Adoption Apply? ::Q7:1:: QUESTION (1912)--1-- "But ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father." Does this expression, "spirit of adoption" apply to our Lord Jesus?
ANSWER.--No. Our Lord never was anything else than a Son. In no sense was He an adopted Son. God sent His Son into the world. When in the world He was a Son. His Sonship never ceased. He remained a Son, faithful, unto the death of the cross. When God raised Him from the dead, He still was a Son, raised up to the highest glory. Nor does this word adoptionfit well to the Church's experience. God does not adopt us in the flesh. He only has to do with us as New Creatures. And we become New Creatures not by adoption, but by the begetting of the Holy Spirit. The Diaglott* gives the preferable translation.
* The Emphatic Diaglott renders this verse as follows: Romans 8:15 Not for you received a spirit of bondage back to fear, but you received a spirit of sonship, by which we cry: Abba, the Father.
