Birth or Adoption? Cayce's Answer

Elder Claud H. Cayce was one of the leaders of the "Primitive Baptist Church" from the late 19th century until his death in the 1940s. He had many errors and helped to lead the Hardshells further away from the faith of their fathers. That being said, he did get it right on the subject of "adoption." I have written on this subject much under the heading "Waiting for the Huiothesia." I find it interesting that Elder Harold Hunt, an aged leader still with the Hardshells, and one who I have written critically against over the years respecting his heretical views, thinks very highly of Cayce and thinks that the young ministers should study his writings. But, Hunt should have listened to what Cayce wrote.

First, let me cite from Hunt. Hunt wrote (see here - emphasis mine):

"I cannot think of a subject which I had more difficulty in understanding than I had with the subject of adoption. But, for that matter, there is probably not a simpler subject in the Bible. The problem that arose in my mind, and the problem that bothers most people, is simply this: If we are born of the Spirit of God, why is it necessary for us to be adopted? My wife and I have four natural born children, and the thought of adopting those children has never entered our minds. Can you imagine how people would react if I told them that we were to go about adopting those children? The Bible does teach that we are born of the Spirit of God, and it does also teach that we are adopted. But, why are both necessary?"

Of course, as I have shown in my writings on this topic, we are not adopted, but born. The word "adoption" is not the right translation of huiothesia.; And, in scripture, whatever is "adoption," it is yet a future event.

Under the heading "Birth and Adoption" (September 19, 1911) Elder C.H. Cayce wrote:

"Brother G. M. Birdwell, of Dunlap, Tenn., asks us to explain the difference between being begotten or born and adoption. There are but two ways by which one can become a legal heir to an estate, or be brought into a family. One way is by birth and the other is by adoption. No one adopts his own child, for the child is already his by birth. This is true in nature. For one to adopt a child, he must take a child out of another family and receive it into his own family as his own child. Adoption, therefore, is the transferring of one from one family into another. In the work of regeneration, or the new birth, the sinner receives the divine nature. He is born into the heavenly family, and is made akin to God. This is a work of the Holy Spirit upon the spirit, or soul, of the sinner. As stated, in this work the sinner is born into the heavenly family, so that when the body dies the spirit, or soul, goes to a place of rest in the presence of God. The body, being mortal, decays and goes back to dust. But it shall not remain that way. In the last great day the body will be raised again and adopted into the heavenly family. In (Romans 8:23) the Apostle Paul says, “And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.'' This seems to be very plain to us that the adoption is the redemption of the body. The body will be changed and received into the heavenly family. This is complete deliverance or salvation of the whole man - salvation of the sinner of Adam's race - the whole man, soul, body and spirit, finally saved."

Now, Cayce was on the right track and Hunt is on the wrong track. Adoption is "son placement," and is connected with "the day of redemption," the time of the resurrection, the event called "the apocalypse (manifestation)" of both Christ and his people, who will at that time reach their full maturity as "sons" of God, and not mere babes and children.