Effectual Calling embraces Justification, Regeneration, and Adoption

Effectual calling REQUIRES 
justification by grace,
regeneration, and adoption

#Effectual_Calling
#Justification_of_life
#Regeneration_n_Adoption
#Spirit_of_Adoption                         

After the bible study last night, there was a request to distinguish the effectual calling from regeneration.

Here are some brief thoughts on the distinction between the effectual calling and regeneration, and some other related issues. May the Lord grant you understanding. Don't follow the popular theologians blindly; beware of soundbites. Be like the Bereans; study and think for yourself; it is ok to do that!

Effectual calling is the free and sovereign activity of the Triune God in calling the elect:
- OUT OF that state of sin and death in which they are by nature,
- INTO that state of grace and salvation by Jesus Christ.

This divine calling is always effectual,  i.e. it always accomplishes its end and purpose; an elect is always brought out of... and into... Divine omnipotence guarantees its efficacy each time.

This divine calling is immutable, i.e. once effectually called, remains immutably called, forever.

This divine calling is complete and perfect.

An elect in his native state is
- in the state of condemnation because of sin
- in the state of spiritual deadness because of sin, Rom 6:23
- in the state of alienation, separated from God, because of sin.

To bring an elect OUT OF his native state, ALL THESE THREE issues must be dealt with, without which he is NOT OUT of his native state.

Justification - the application of Christ's righteousness to the elect personally, freely by God's grace - deals with the issue of condemnation.

Regeneration - the implanting of the new life, based solely upon the righteousness of Christ that has been applied - deals with the issue of spiritual deadness.

Adoption - bringing the regenerated into the number and family of God, and endowing him with the gift of the Holy Spirit - deals with the issue of alienation; the alienated is now brought HOME, back into the family of God.

O, bless the LORD!  Home!

All these divine activities are NECESSARY to bring an elect OUT OF his native state INTO that state of grace and salvation by Jesus Christ. All these divine activities are related to the ETERNAL salvation of the elect.

Regeneration is the free and sovereign activity of the Spirit of God in quickening (making alive) an elect in his native state of spiritual deadness; this new birth endows the elect (in his native state of deadness) a new life, which is spiritual and eternal. 

Regeneration is more specific in scope;  it is subsumed under the effectual calling. The major element in the effectual calling is justification, i.e. the justification of life.

Rom 5:18 Therefore as by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

It is the justification of life because, with the application of the righteousness of Jesus Christ to the elect personally, the basis of life has been given; regeneration NECESSARILY follows when the righteousness of Christ is applied.

Sins brought condemnation and death;

Righteousness secures justification and life; even the righteousness provided by God through His Son Jesus Christ. 

Rom 8:30 "Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified."

There is no mention of both regeneration and adoption in this momentous passage. Without understanding the above, a host of theologians are lost in confusion and contradictions.

The justification of life NECESSARILY includes regeneration; they are like the two sides of the same coin, though distinct but always together. And regeneration NECESSARILY includes adoption; that which is born of the Spirit of God, based solely on the righteousness of Christ Jesus, is assuredly received into the divine family by God the Father. 

Believing the gospel truth is ONLY POSSIBLE AFTER the effectual call; believing or faith justifies, demonstrates, certifies, validates/etc that the believing one has been justified, regenerated and adopted into God's family, and indwelt by the Spirit of God.

Again, a host of theologians, being willfully ignorant of the distinct facets of justification, are lost and confused with their "justification by faith alone."

One Baptist theologian, the great DrJohn Gill, said this,
"The reason why any are justified IS NOT because they have faith; but the reason why they have faith IS because they are justified."

The Reformed theologians and their followers insist on the EXACT OPPOSITE! That's their sacred cow "justification by faith alone." They have swallowed hook, line, and sinker the devil's lie popularised in the 16th century.

Putting the cart before the horse is always seen as a sign of stupidity,  i.e. lacking common sense! Common sense is rare today. Soundbyte is common, and popular.

May you be Aquila and Priscilla ready to help the Apollos of our generation.  Amen.

Once saved, always saved???

"Once saved" by whom and by what means? 
"Once saved" - what salvation is under consideration? 
Have you asked these simple questions? 

15/01/2021, 15:43]

Sing
Brethren,
Esther Chiah said, "Me too, I don't believe that 'once saved, forever saved'.  I don't stand on either Calvinism or Arminian; I only believe in what the Bible says...."

I hope you have at least read the exchanges between Esther and Alice. If you haven't, it betrays one sad thing: lack of interest in knowing or ministering to visitors.

Esther made an interesting statement on "once saved, forever saved."

An Arminian curses this as a damnable heresy; a Calvinist glories in it.

How will you, who is neither an Arminian nor a Calvinist, assist someone to understand the word of God more perfectly who opines "once saved, forever saved"?

Are you skilled enough to minister to others? Aquila and Priscilla - the tentmaker couple, instructed by the Apostle Paul - were skilled enough to assist the theologian Apollos.

--------

Let's discuss.

Sunny
1. Does she know eternal salvation of God vs conversion?

2. The Armenians condemn once saved forever saved as they claim God keeps on adding names in the Lamb's book of life. Most of them are of the opinion that people are saved on earth through the hearing of the Gospel only and not eternally- given life waiting for regeneration or conversion. Because of such a lack of belief, God's chosen saints are bequeathed eternal salvation.

3. However, Calvinists, on the other hand, believe in the election of saints.. ..everyone would be found in heaven at the end time. Those not found or gathered at the end time are spurious and unbelievers.

4. The Calvinists believe the truly elect will not lose their salvation on the ground once saved forever saved. However, there is a mega church where the main Pastor preached once saved forever saved. No matter how one saint lives temporally.

5. Our belief is grounded as our bible stipulated:
a. Eternal salvation
b. Legal salvation by our eldest brother
c. Vital calling or conversion at the proper time.
d. Temporal salvation
e. Glorification at the great judgment day.

Yes, we must be clear we are eternally saved n our names in the Lamb's book of life. But we must be converted daily in our lives as working out  our salvation with fear and trembling. We must have faith in God that His salvation is efficacious. But we must qualify our faith in Christ with good works. Yes, Esther stated her notion as once saved forever. But we have to listen n get to know her better why she couldn't stand either Arminianism or calvinistic beliefs. Maybe she has discovered more from our bible we could have overlooked.

Just my opinion...and understanding. However, to be corrected from our Bible, so I will have more complete knowledge of knowing our Lord 🙏🙏🙏

Sing
1. Does she know eternal salvation of God vs conversion?
I think you meant to ask this: Does she know the distinction between eternal and temporal salvation?

Eternal salvation and temporal salvation form a contrasting couplet just as regeneration and conversion do likewise.)

I'm not sure; probably not. Few do. We need to find out.
It would be great if our people are skilled to assist those who would bring up the issue of "once saved, forever saved" - whether they are for or against it.  We want to be  Aquila and Priscilla to show them the way of God more perfectly. Acts 18:26. But just be aware that those with the teachable spirit of Apollos are uncommon.

An excellent way to find out is to ask them innocent questions so that we understand what they do, and don't believe about the matter. Asking apt questions will also inevitably expose their inconsistencies and contradictions; this will then will the opportunity to show them the truth.

"Once saved, forever saved" is both true and false at the same time but in a distinct and different sense.

Only those who know and understand the distinction between eternal salvation by grace alone and temporal salvation conditioned upon the obedience of God's children can adequately explain the matter.

What useful questions can we ask to assist them to understand the issue rightly?
As indicated by Brother Eng Sun, both the Arminians as well as the Calvinists are quite confused on the matter because they don't see the distinction between the eternal and the temporal salvation.

Sing
2. The Arminians (followers of the teaching of Jacobus Arminius; Armenians are the people of Armenia) condemn "once saved forever saved" because they do indeed read in the Scriptures that they must work out their own salvation...
--------

Esther aptly quoted Phi 2:12 to prove her point. There are many passages that speak of the active role of believers for them to be saved, and stay saved. So, from their perspective, "once saved, forever saved" is plainly contradicting the Bible.

We know where the problem lies: the salvation spoken of in those passages that involve the ONGOING activities of men is only temporal salvation; they understand them as speaking of eternal salvation.  In their understanding, their eternal destiny hinged upon their activities to be saved, and stay saved!

To some haughty, stiff-necked ones, I have said sweetly, "I wish you the best of luck, I sincerely hope you will do well enough to enter heaven." Elijah did use sarcasm; Apostle Paul, too.

To others, we want to patiently and graciously help them to see the distinction between eternal salvation by the sovereign activities of the Triune God ALONE in our eternal salvation, which make it possible for His children (i.e. the elect that are already effectually called) to obey/do the will of their Father to save themselves with temporal salvation.

O the joy and comfort and assurance of salvation in knowing the distinction.
Let us lead others into this joy, comfort, and assurance.

How can a man honestly has assurance if his eternal salvation is indeed conditioned upon his activities in whatsoever way???

Sunny
Correct! Arminians instead of Armenians, the people. Bro Jonathan in his bible study before on comparison of Arminians, Calvinists and Bible-believing Christians mentioned to beware of the word Arminians and Armenians. Sorry

Pastor, thank you for your simple but yet complete understanding of the difference. It is indeed a précis...instead of being wordy.

I learned one important lesson from here. Practice makes perfect, simply doing it better each time. Put them in writing even better each time. May our Lord bless our conscientious effort as a local church!

What has Jesus finished for me on the cross?

What has Jesus 'finished' for you on the cross?
If He had finished hell for you, then why did He still
so solemnly warn His disciples about hell?

[15/01,2025. 16:52]  

YuenLeong
Sir, what does it mean when people say that Christ has conquered death for us?
1 Corinthians 15:55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?

Coz the wages of sin is death, so when believers die, all their sins terminate with their death. So, why do they need to be punished further in hell if they didn't complete their sanctification?

But then again, it says that the wages of sin is death, but what kind of death? Physical death or spiritual death? If Adam experienced spiritual death, then it means the death is spiritual death, which is separation from God

So, believers who died in sin can still be punished in hell, even though they have died physically. Because spiritually, they are still alive, but they will be ALIENATED from God in their spirit

There is no verse in the Scriptures that says that believers will go to heaven immediately after they die.

But this verse did NOT say that only BELIEVERS' spirit will return to God. So it applies to EVERY MAN. Our spirit returns to God to be JUDGED when we die, this is the First judgment

Ecclesiastes 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.

The nearest verse is Ecclesiastes 12:7

For the Elect, they get to bypass the SECOND JUDGMENT coz God will see Christ's righteousness in His Elects and because their names are written in the book of life

Sir, did I get the above correct? Coz an idiot tried to argue this with me:

He said, “If you say an elect can be punished temporally for sins, then what has Jesus 'finished' for you on the cross? Your salvation is not secure.

Sing
I avoid arguing with an idiot like avoiding a plague.

Proverbs 26:4 KJT
Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

When people ask questions with a desire to learn, instead of asking rhetorically as a smart aleck, then there is hope.

What has Jesus finished for me on the cross? Good question!

He secured my eternal salvation from the lake of fire. Rev 20:15.

If Jesus has finished the work of saving His people from hell, then WHY did he waste precious time solemnly warning His own disciples to take drastic measures to AVOID hell?

Jesus was addressing HIS OWN DISCIPLES with these solemn words...

Mark 9 KJT
42 ¶And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

43 And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
45 And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
47 And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire:
48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

He who has ears to hear, let him hear and learn.

Was Jesus joking with His own disciples, warning them so solemnly if there is no possibility of the disciples ending up in hell???

YuenLeong
Why do we need the FIRST judgment if the Elects have been found righteous in Christ?

Sing
Hebrews 9:27 KJV — And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.

ALL, without exception, shall face a judgement at physical death. It's not whether one needs it or not.

All redeemed by Christ have been declared righteous by God with the righteousness of Christ - that is their objective and legal standing before God the Judge in the criminal court - they are righteous in Christ by the righteousness of Christ. This deals with their eternal salvation. This immutably guarantees eternal deliverance from the eternal lake of fire unto eternal glory.

The first judgment relates to our temporal salvation, based on our practical righteousness, i.e. based on our works of righteousness. This first judgment at death determines where the spirit of a redeemed man will spend his time - either hell or paradise -  while waiting for the general resurrection to glory.

Proverbs 24:12 KJV — If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

2 Corinthians 5:10 KJV — For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

YuenLeong
2 Corinthians 5:10 is referring to the Final judgment seat of Christ

Sing
You may be right. If it is the final judgment, then good luck to you (sarcasm intended). Pray earnestly that you will be approved by your works & according to what you have done, whether it be good or bad. You are welcome to your eternal salvation by your works.

I often say, "Believe what you want; live with the necessary implications of your beliefs."

YuenLeong
This applies to the non-elects only. Christ will not judge those Elects whose names are written in the book of life.

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Sing
2 Corinthians 5:10 KJT — For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

Read what it says - do EXEgesis.
Who must appear before the judgment seat of Christ?
Who does the pronoun "we" refer to?
You have learned so much Greek - apply what you have learned.

For Revelation 20:12 "And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

Q. Who are the dead standing before the throne?

Q. What is in the books?
Q. Why were the dead judged out of the books (plural), and not the book (singular)?
Q. What is the book (singular)?
Q. What's inside the book (singular)?

Learn to teach yourself by asking apt questions.

Inquiries about the Effectual Call

Jesus summoned dead Lazarus to life -
Apt illustration of the effectual calling.

Feb 11, 2026
Soukyu
Sir, I want to ask about this effectual calling in the 1689 Baptist Confession.

1689:10:1 "Those whom God hath predestinated unto life, He is pleased in His appointed, and accepted time, effectually to call,1 by His Word and Spirit, out of that state of sin and death in which they are by nature, to grace and salvation by Jesus Christ;2 enlightening their minds spiritually and savingly to understand the things of God;3 taking away their heart of stone, and giving to them a heart of flesh;4 renewing their wills, and by His almighty power determining them to that which is good, and effectually drawing them to Jesus Christ;5 yet so as they come most freely, being made willing by His grace.6"

This says that those who have been effectually called will be DRAWN TO JESUS CHRIST. And this Effectual Calling is in the Vital facet of our Salvation.

[NOT "will be drawn" as though it is a separate future event from the effectual calling; the effectual call effectually draws an elect to Christ, uniting him to Christ. The effectually called ARE drawn to Christ and united to Him. sing]

And just now u taught us that Regeneration is a subset of Effectual Calling; in fact, regeneration is included in the Justification of life

So regeneration is also a subset of (vital) Justification

[In the effectual calling of an elect out of his native state of sin, condemnation and death to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ, these three Divine activities MUST take place:
- application of Christ's righteousness to an elect personally, vital justification by grace;
- the application of righteousness by God warrants the Holy Spirit to regenerate the justified one. That's why vital justification is called the justification of life - Romans 5:18.
- The adoption of the regenerated by the Father, and the bestowal of the gift of the Spirit of adoption to dwell in the adopted.
- These divine activities, in that number and order, MUST happen in order to effectually call an elect out of his native state into the state of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ.  sing. ]

So, is it correct to say that only in the Vital phase of Justification of life,  the Elects are enabled to come to Christ n know Christ as our God?

 Effectual Calling also leads to Vital Adoption and Vital Definitive Sanctification besides Vital justification.

[To effectually call an elect out of his native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation in Jesus Christ, There must be:
- vital justification by grace; righteousness of Jesus Christ is freely applied to an elect personally.
- regeneration, vital definitive sanctification; definitively separated from death unto eternal life;
- vital adoption of the born again, and bestowal of the Spirit of adoption. sing]

 I am just curious as to which stage an Elect come to the knowledge that Christ is our God.

Without being "evangelised"?

But the exact wording here is DRAWING THEM TO CHRIST
This could also mean enabling them to come to church to know who the true God is.

Sing
Absolutely not. The context is the Effectual calling an elect out of his native state of sin and condemnation to that of grace in Jesus Christ - to be vitally united to Christ.

The effectual call ENABLES a child of God (an elect already regenerated) to answer/response to the gospel call.

The gospel call is dealt with in 1689.14

Soukyu
But then, those who have been effectually called, how do they bring themselves to respond to the gospel call if they don't bring themselves to the church first? Esp when no one has shared the gospel with them yet?

Esp. when the Particular Baptists don't subscribe to evangelism?

Sing
Romans 10
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 ¶How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things.

Soukyu
I know but this is the preaching in the church

Sing
@ "...when the Particular Baptists don't subscribe to evangelism?"
You likely get this fable and lie from the new school Reformed Baptists.

Soukyu
My Q is, after an Elect has been effectually called but has not heard the gospel yet, how and by what means can the Elect go and find out that the church is the right place to go?

Sing
@ "I know but this is the preaching in the church."
Show that this is preaching in the church?

Soukyu
So, you are saying that after an Elect has been effectually called, he needs to be evangelised coz he doesn't know abt Christ yet, and he doesn't know how to go to church by himself?

Sing
God did send Peter to Cornelius, Paul to the Bereans, Lydia, and host of others.

The Lord God who effectually calls out His elect is also the God of Providence... causing His children and His messengers Christians to cross path, etc.

It boils down to what evangelism you are talking about. I'm evangelising all the time without a few hours of church-organized "evangelistic outreach" activities on Sunday.

Evangelism is bearing witness in our daily life.
Apostle Paul did REASON with you like this:

Romans 10:14¶How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

Soukyu
If u use the last sentence here, then are you equating that one has to share the gospel with others so that those effectually called can come to Christ? Without this, those effectually called has no way to come to Christ?

Sing
Coming to Christ requires some knowledge of Christ..
That knowledge of Christ can be had from different sources - in Paul's time in the first century, it's chiefly through the God-sent preacher.

The emphasis is that there must be knowledge of Christ for an effectually called elect to be CONVERTED to Christ.

Take a look here: https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2021/11/there-are-two-distinct-comings-to-christ.html

Soukyu
My Q was not on conversion. My Q is: after an Elect has been effectually called, is he able to come to CHURCH on his own WITHOUT hearing the gospel yet? If this is not so, then he will need someone to preach the gospel to him, and this is evangelism

Sing
Yes, he is able.
The wise Lord can use all kinds of means or situations to work for the conversion of the effectually called.

But the church is not the only place he will hear the gospel of his salvation. It's more likely that in the course of daily life, he will meet some Christians who share the gospel and tell him about the church.

Soukyu
U replied ABSOLUTELY NOT here last night

Sing
Yes, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

"Drawing them to Christ" in the CONTEXT of effectual calling has absolutely nothing to do with "enabling them to come to church to know who is the true God."

In the effectual calling,  an alienated elect is DRAWN TO CHRIST... DONE, IMMUTABLY UNITED TO CHRIST, COMPLETED.

Soukyu
Come to think of it, it should be at our Vital Adoption stage in our Effectual Calling where we are adopted by the Holy Spirit as God's children and the Holy Spirit indwells in us, which enables us to love our brethrens 1 Thes 4:9 and 1 John 5:1. So we start searching our brethren in church, and this leads us to Christ

Soukyu
So it is WITHOUT the need to hear the gospel that we are enabled to go to church once we have been EFFECTUALLY CALLED, and this leads us to Christ

Sing
I wonder what's the point of knowing all these things, but this detailed knowledge won't help you settle down in a church of Jesus Christ.

"...ENABLED..."  Yes.

Enabled to do many spiritual things. Read Cornelius account in Acts 10 BEFORE his encounter with Peter.

It is the Holy Spirit who regenerates.
God the Father adopts, not the Holy Spirit.

Those adopted by the Father, God gives the Spirit (of adoption) to dwell in the adopted.

Romans 8:15 KJT — 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.

Assurance of Salvation

[11/01/2025 - 15:10]
SyLeon
Sir, for the Particular Baptists, is there such a thing as Assurance of Salvation?

Sing
Here is what they have stated publicly.
The 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith

Chapter 18 - Of the Assurance of Grace and Salvation

Paragraph 1
Although temporary believers and other unregenerate men, may vainly deceive themselves with false hopes and carnal presumptions of being in the favor of God and in a state of salvation, which hope of theirs shall perish;1 yet such as truly believe in the Lord Jesus, and love him in sincerity, endeavouring to walk in all good conscience before him, may in this life be certainly assured that they are in the state of grace, and may rejoice in the hope of the glory of God,2 which hope shall never make them ashamed.3
1 Job 8:13–14; Matt. 7:22–23
2 1 John 2:3, 3:14,18–19,21,24, 5:13
3 Rom. 5:2,5

Paragraph 2
This certainty is not a bare conjectural and probable persuasion grounded upon a fallible hope, but an infallible assurance of faith,4 founded on the blood and righteousness of Christ revealed in the Gospel;5 and also upon the inward evidence of those graces of the Spirit unto which promises are made,6 and on the testimony of the Spirit of adoption, witnessing with our spirits that we are the children of God;7 and, as a fruit thereof, keeping the heart both humble and holy.8
4 Heb. 6:11,19
5 Heb. 6:17–18
6 2 Pet. 1:4–5,10–11
7 Rom. 8:15–16
8 1 John 3:1–3

Paragraph 3
This infallible assurance does not so belong to the essence of faith, but that a true believer may wait long, and struggle with many difficulties before he be partaker of it;9 yet being enabled by the Spirit to know the things which are freely given him of God, he may, without extraordinary revelation, in the right use of means, attain thereunto:10 and therefore it is the duty of every one to give all diligence to make his calling and election sure, that thereby his heart may be enlarged in peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, in love and thankfulness to God, and in strength and cheerfulness in the duties of obedience, the proper fruits of this assurance;11—so far is it from inclining men to looseness.12

9 Isa. 50:10; Ps. 88; Ps. 77:1–12
10 1 John 4:13; Heb. 6:11–12
11 Rom. 5:1–2,5, 14:17; Ps. 119:32
12 Rom. 6:1–2; Titus 2:11–12,14

Paragraph 4
True believers may have the assurance of their salvation divers ways shaken, diminished, and intermitted; as by negligence in preserving of it,13 by falling into some special sin which wounds the conscience and grieves the Spirit;14 by some sudden or vehement temptation,15 by God's withdrawing the light of his countenance, and suffering even such as fear him to walk in darkness and to have no light,16 yet are they never destitute of the seed of God17 and life of faith,18 that love of Christ and the brethren, that sincerity of heart and conscience of duty out of which, by the operation of the Spirit, this assurance may in due time be revived,19 and by the which, in the meantime, they are preserved from utter despair.20
13 Cant. 5:2–3,6
14 Ps. 51:8,12,14
15 Ps. 116:11; 77:7–8, 31:22
16 Ps. 30:7
17 1 John 3:9
18 Luke 22:32
19 Ps. 42:5,11
20 Lam. 3:26–31

SyLeon
Also, I want to ask: do you agree with our good friend RC Sproul that Adoption is a LEGAL event?

Sing
Imagine for a moment.
You are an orphan. A nobleman adopted you LEGALLY - everything properly transacted legally, on paper ONLY. He did not unite himself to you and make you a child in his glorious mansion.

How would you like sch an adoption?

It's good to hear that Mr Sproul is your good friend.

SYLeon
Haha, you know what I meant by our good friend
So, in Ordo Salutis, Adoption should NOT be a legal act

Sing
Adoption is also a multifaceted doctrine.
The biblical teaching on adoption is like a wholesome well-formed 5-fingered hand...

1. Adoption to sonship PREDESTINED in Christ in eternity.
- Eph 1:5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.

2. Adoption to sonship LEGALLY transacted by Christ at the cross.
- Gal 4:4 "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons."

3. Adoption to sonship PERSONALIZED, vitally born as son and adopted into God's family at the effectual calling out of the native state of sin and death to that of grace and salvation.
- John 1:13 "Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God."
- Gal 4:6 "And because ye are sons [i.e. legally adopted], God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father [i.e. regenerated and adopted].

4. Adoption to sonship EXPERIENCED by faith in Jesus Christ.
- 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...'
- Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 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.

5. Adoption to sonship GLORIFIED on the day of resurrection.
- Rom 8:22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

Legal aspect of adoption is only one aspect of the doctrine of adoption.  When an aspect of the whole is equated as the whole, it becomes heretical.

SyLeon
Then the Deformed Reformed is heretical

Someone commented, why are the Particular Baptists always harping on the Reformed being incorrect on Justification by Faith, when Adoption is also a legal action. But then, we are not harping on the Legal side of Justification by Faith only. We are saying that the Reformed guys got it wrong by saying that Justification by Faith is an act of the believer being justified when he believes in Christ

The FIRST is stated by those Deformed Reformed. The SECOND is the stand by Particular Baptists? 

Sing
You asked why the Particular Baptists are always harping blah blah blah....
By Luther's own words, those who hold to Luther's sola fide ARE FALLEN CHURCHES.

Also, if one don't get justification right, then he necessarily CAN'T get adoption right.

In the Ordo Salutis, each item deals with the APPLICATION of eternal salvation to an elect.

SYLeon
All the legal actions are not in Ordo Salutis?

Sing
Take a look here:
https://things-new-and-old.blogspot.com/2011/12/calvinists-order-of-salvation-some.html

Here is a typical order salutis of the Reformed view.

Do you see that the items from the various aspects of salvation are all jumbled up in the so-called order?

If we want to include items from different aspects, then it must be grouped in the aspect they belong to... in their strict order.

- decretal aspect
- legal aspect
- vital aspect
- practical (temporal) aspect
- final aspect