Relationship Between Adoption and Sanctification in Christian Theology
Adoption and sanctification represent distinct but interconnected aspects of the believer's relationship with God. Adoption is a legal act by which God brings individuals into his family, conferring the status and privileges of sonship [1, 4]. Paul draws on Roman legal custom to illustrate this: just as Roman adoption established full filial rights for one not born into a family, spiritual adoption establishes believers as heirs with Christ [1]. This occurs "by faith" and "through Christ," representing God's gracious initiative rather than human achievement [2, 6].
Sanctification, by contrast, describes the progressive transformation of the believer's nature. Easton's defines it as "the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration," extending "to the whole man" [3]. Where adoption changes legal standing, sanctification changes moral character. The Holy Spirit effects this work, bringing "the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul" [3]. Scripture attributes sanctification to God the Father, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, accomplished "through the atonement of Christ" and "through the word of God" [5, 7].
The relationship between these doctrines follows a specific sequence. Adoption is "secured in divine predestination, and in the covenant of grace, and is antecedent to regeneration" [8]. It represents the believer's new legal position before God—a status conferred at conversion. Sanctification, however, unfolds over time as the Spirit applies redemption to daily life. One commentary notes that "adoption makes them the children of God, and entitles them to the inheritance; regeneration gives them the nature of the children of God" [8]. Adoption establishes the relationship; sanctification develops the family resemblance.
Both doctrines share the same foundation in Christ and operate through the Spirit's agency. Believers "receive the Spirit of" adoption [2], and that same Spirit effects sanctification [5]. The Spirit's witness of adoption (Romans 8:16) and his leading (Romans 8:14) connect the believer's legal status with their moral transformation [2]. Yet the distinction remains: adoption answers the question of standing, sanctification the question of state. The adopted son possesses full rights immediately; the sanctified believer grows into Christlikeness progressively. Both flow from union with Christ, who is "made, of God, to us" both adoption and sanctification [5].
Sources
- Smith's Bible Dictionary “Smith's Bible Dictionary: Adoption — an expression used by St. Paul in reference to the present and prospective privileges of Christians. (Romans 8:15,23; Galatians 4:5; Ephesians 1:5) He probably alludes to the Roman custom by which a person not having children of his own might adopt as his son one born of other parents. The relationship was to all intents and purposes the same as existed between a natural father and son. The term is used figuratively to show the close relationship to God of the Christian. (Galatians 4:4,5; Romans 8:14-17) He is received into God's family from the world, and ”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Adoption — Explained -- 2Co 6:18. Is according to promise -- Ro 9:8; Ga 3:29. Is by faith -- Ga 3:7,26. Is of God's grace -- Eze 16:3-6; Ro 4:16,17; Eph 1:5,6,11. Is through Christ -- Joh 1:12; Ga 4:4,5; Eph 1:5; Heb 2:10,13. Saints predestinated to -- Ro 8:29; Eph 1:5,11. Of Gentiles, predicted -- Ho 2:23; Ro 9:24-26; Eph 3:6. The Adopted are gathered together in one by Christ -- Joh 11:52. New birth connected with -- Joh 1:12,13. The Holy Spirit is a Witness of -- Ro 8:16. Being led by the Spirit is an evidence of -- Ro 8:14. Saints receive the Spirit of -- Ro 8:15”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Adoption — The giving to any one the name and place and privileges of a son who is not a son by birth. (1.) Natural. Thus Pharaoh's daughter adopted Moses (Ex. 2:10), and Mordecai Esther (Esther 2:7). (2.) National. God adopted Israel (Ex. 4:22; Deut. 7:6; Hos. 11:1; Rom. 9:4). (3.) Spiritual. An act of God's grace by which he brings men into the number of his redeemed family, and makes them partakers of all the blessings he has provided for them. Adoption represents the new relations into which the believer is introduced by justification, and the privileges connecte”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sanctification — Is separation to the service of God -- Ps 4:3; 2Co 6:17. Effected by God. -- Eze 37:28; 1Th 5:23; Jude 1:1. Christ. -- Heb 2:11; 13:12. The Holy Spirit. -- Ro 15:16; 1Co 6:11. In Christ -- 1Co 1:2. Through the atonement of Christ -- Heb 10:10; 13:12. Through the word of God -- Joh 17:17,19; Eph 5:26. Christ made, of God, to us -- 1Co 1:30. Saints elected to salvation through -- 2Th 2:13; 1Pe 1:2. All saints are in a state of -- Ac 20:32; 26:18; 1Co 6:11. The Church made glorious by -- Eph 5:26,27. Should lead to Mortification of sin. -- 1Th 4:3,4. Ho”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 1:5 (LITV) — predestinating us to adoption through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will,”
- Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:10: For both he that sanctifieth,.... Not himself, though this is said of him, Joh 17:19 nor his Father, though this also is true of him, Isa 8:13 but his people, the sons brought to glory, whose salvation he is the Captain of; they are sanctified in him, he being made sanctification to them; and they have their sanctification from him, all their grace and holiness; and they are sanctified by him, both by his blood, which expiates their sins, and removes the guilt of them, and by his Spirit, working internal principles of grace and holiness in them, who are by nature, an”
- 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”