The Constitution of the RPCNA · 2026 editionJump to a citation or search…⌘K

Type a citation (CF 18:3, LC 104, Form 18) or words to search

Web transcription of the official 2026 PDF, with links (Crown & Covenant Publications), or the unchanged file. Where they differ, the PDF governs.Transcribed from the official 2026 PDF, with links (or the unchanged file). Where they differ, the PDF governs.

Keyboard shortcuts

j
Next paragraph
k
Previous paragraph
c
Copy this paragraph's citation
p
Open the page it is printed on
/
Jump to a citation, or search
?
Show this list
Contents

Chapter 12. Of Adoption

(Larger Catechism: 74; Shorter Catechism: 32, 34, 36)

Confession of Faith

1CF 12.1
All those that are justified, God vouchsafeth, in and for His only Son Jesus Christ, to make partakers of the grace of adoption: by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God, have His name put upon them, receive the spirit of adoption, have access to the throne of grace with boldness, are enabled to cry, Abba, Father, are pitied, protected, provided for, and chastened by Him as by a father; yet never cast off, but sealed to the day of redemption, and inherit the promises, as heirs of everlasting salvation.

Eph. 1:5; Gal. 4:4-5; Rom. 8:17; John 1:12; Jer. 14:9; 2 Cor. 6:18; Rev. 3:12; Rom. 8:15; Eph. 3:12; Rom. 5:2; Gal. 4:6; Ps. 103:13; Prov. 14:26; Matt. 6:30, 32; 1 Pet. 5:7; Heb. 12:6; Lam. 3:31; Eph. 4:30; Heb. 6:12; 1 Pet. 1:3-4; Heb. 1:14.

Page A-40

Testimony 12.1 to 12.6

Testimony

With Confession 12.1

1T 12.1
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.

Page A-40
2T 12.2
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.

Page A-41
3T 12.3
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.

Page A-41
4T 12.4
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.

Page A-41
5T 12.5
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.

Page A-41
6T 12.6
We reject the teaching that sonship, conferred in adoption, will ever be annulled by God.
Page A-42
Connections

Report a problem

About the Constitution pages in general

Reporting isn’t available right now.