Church Resources

What Does the Bible Say About Adoption?

Is adoption biblical?
Absolutely! The Bible is a story of our adoption by God. Adoption is the means by which all believers enter into the family of God.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together.

Romans 8:14-17 NKJV

Is adoption a “second best” way to form a family?
Adoption is not “second best.” It is simply one way that God in His wisdom can choose for us to be parents. Whether one becomes a parent biologically or through adoption, the fact is that children are not a right—they are a gift from God.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD. Psalm 127:3a NKJV

Does the Bible refer to adoption in a positive way?
Yes! The Bible always presents adoption as a positive, gracious act that is part of God’s plan.

Moses was adopted by Pharaoh’s daughter, and his adoption was part of God’s overall plan for the deliverance of Israel from Egypt. (Exodus 2:1-10)

When Esther’s parents died, Mordecai, her cousin, took her as his own daughter and adopted her (Esther 2:15). This adoption also led to a wonderful deliverance of the people of God!

And in a way, wasn’t Jesus an adoptee? Joseph, who raised Jesus as his own, was not His biological father. Joseph gladly accepted Jesus, providing Him with all the love, encouragement, and guidance that a son needs from a father. (Luke1-2)

Are there other models of adoption in the Bible?
Yes. The Bible tells us that there is only one way for us to enter the Kingdom of God—we must become God’s adopted children through Jesus Christ…

having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:5-6 NKJV

But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons. Galatians 4:4-5 NKJV

In adopting us through Christ, God shows the depth of His love. What a delightful model this presents to those who want to adopt a child as their son or daughter.

Does God bless the adoption of an older child or a child born overseas?
Yes! God uses adoption to advance His Kingdom and to share the miracle of His unconditional love. The child adopted into a Christian family will have the security of knowing that God has been watching over and protecting him or her since before birth.

“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; Before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations.” Jeremiah 1:5 NKJV