The Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter 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,^a by which they are taken into the number, and enjoy the liberties and privileges of the children of God,^b have his name put upon them,^c receive the Spirit of adoption,^d have access to the throne of grace with boldness,^e are enabled to cry, Abba, Father,^f are pitied,^g protected, ^h provided for,ⁱ and chastened by him, as by a father:^k yet never cast off,^l but sealed to the day of redemption;^m and inherit the promises,ⁿ as heirs of everlasting salvation.^o

a. Eph. 1:5. … having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. Gal. 4:4–5. But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

b. Rom. 8:17. … and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. John 1:12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

c. Num. 6:24–26. The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: the LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: the LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. Jer. 14:9. Why shouldest thou be as a man astonied, as a mighty man that cannot save? yet thou, O LORD, art in the midst of us, and we are called by thy name; leave us not. Amos 9:12. … that they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this. Acts 15:17. … that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 2 Cor. 6:18. … and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. Rev. 3:12. Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

d. Rom. 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

e. Eph. 3:12. … in whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. See Heb. 4:16.

f. Rom. 8:15. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. See Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:16.

g. Ps. 103:13. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

h. Prov. 14:26. In the fear of the LORD is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.

i. Matt. 6:30, 32. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?… (for after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. 1 Pet. 5:7. … casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you.

k. Heb. 12:6. For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

l. Lam. 3:31–32. For the Lord will not cast off for ever: but though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. See Ps. 89:30–35.

m. Eph. 4:30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

n. Heb. 6:12. … that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

o. 1 Pet. 1:3–4. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. Heb. 1:14. Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?

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