Reading Time: 6 minutesQuestion 4138. “The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16). This verse is one of the most personally assuring statements in all of Paul’s letters, and the Spirit bears witness in Romans 8:16 in a way that is worth examining both theologically and pastorally. It is the…
Reading Time: 6 minutesQuestion 4140. The Spirit of adoption is Paul’s name in Romans 8:15 for the Holy Spirit in His specific work of bringing us, as believers, into the felt reality of being God’s own children rather than His frightened servants. “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you…
Reading Time: 3 minutesQuestion 07027 Salvation is described in the New Testament through a range of images, each of which captures a different dimension of what God has done for those who trust in Christ. Justification addresses legal standing. Redemption addresses bondage and purchase. Reconciliation addresses a broken relationship. Adoption addresses identity and belonging. It answers a question…
Reading Time: 4 minutesQuestion Q07092 In evangelical circles, the doctrine of justification rightly receives enormous attention. It is the declaration by which a sinful person is pronounced righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s atoning work received through faith. But there is a danger that in rightly emphasising justification, other dimensions of what happens at salvation receive…