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Defining Adoptionism

Adoptionism is the heretical belief that Jesus Christ was a mere man who became divine through adoption by God. Proponents of this doctrine assert that Jesus was born a human being and only later received divine status, often associating this moment with his baptism, resurrection, or another significant event. Adoptionism undermines the biblical teaching of Jesus’ preexistent divinity and his unique status as both fully God and fully man.

The earliest recorded expression of this belief appears in The Shepherd of Hermas, a text thought to have been written around 150 C.E. This text suggests that Jesus was a virtuous man chosen by God, united with the Spirit, and exalted to divine sonship because of his exemplary life. Over time, adoptionism was embraced by groups such as the dynamistic monarchians in the second and third centuries and by certain leaders in the eighth century, such as Elipandus of Toledo and Felix of Urgel. Although condemned repeatedly as heretical, adoptionism persisted in various forms.

The Biblical Teaching on the Nature of Christ

The Bible clearly refutes the core tenets of adoptionism by affirming that Jesus Christ is fully divine and eternal. John 1:1-3 declares, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.” This passage establishes that Jesus (the Word) existed before creation and was not merely a man who later attained divinity.

Colossians 1:15-17 reinforces this truth: “The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” The term “firstborn” in this context refers to preeminence and authority, not to a chronological beginning or adoption.

Adoptionism’s claim that Jesus became divine through God’s approval contradicts the biblical teaching that Jesus was always divine. Hebrews 13:8 affirms, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” His unchanging nature further disproves the notion that his divine status was granted at a particular point in time.

Refuting the Historical Assertions of Adoptionism

Adoptionists claim that their doctrine reflects the apostolic teaching and was dominant in early Christianity. However, there is no credible evidence to support this assertion. Instead, the apostles consistently taught that Jesus was divine from the beginning. For example, Philippians 2:6-8 states, “[Jesus], being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross.”

This passage reveals that Jesus’ divinity existed before his incarnation and that his humanity was an act of humility, not a transformation from mere man to deity. Adoptionism’s claim that Jesus was exalted to divine sonship as a reward for obedience misinterprets scriptural teaching. Jesus’ exaltation is better understood as a public acknowledgment of his divine status, as seen in Romans 1:4: “[He] was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.”

The adoptionist view also misunderstands the role of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ ministry. The descent of the Spirit at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17) did not confer divinity upon him but confirmed his identity as the Son of God. God’s voice from heaven proclaimed, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” This declaration demonstrates that Jesus was already the Son of God, not a man newly adopted into divine status.

The Heretical Development of Adoptionism

Adoptionism gained prominence among certain second- and third-century groups, such as the followers of Theodotus of Byzantium. Theodotus taught that Jesus became the Christ when the Holy Spirit descended upon him at his baptism. This view was rejected by the early church as heretical, as it denied Jesus’ eternal divinity and reduced him to a mere human being elevated by God.

In the eighth century, Elipandus of Toledo and Felix of Urgel revived adoptionism, asserting that Jesus was God’s natural Son in his divine nature but God’s adopted Son in his human nature. This distinction contradicts the biblical teaching of the hypostatic union—the inseparable unity of Jesus’ divine and human natures.

John 1:14 teaches, “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” This verse affirms that Jesus, the eternal Word, took on human flesh without ceasing to be divine. Adoptionism’s separation of Jesus’ divine and human natures undermines this truth and leads to a distorted understanding of his person and work.

The Hypostatic Union and the Eternal Sonship of Christ

The doctrine of the hypostatic union provides a biblically sound explanation of Jesus’ divine and human natures. Jesus is fully God and fully man, possessing two distinct natures united in one person. This doctrine is rooted in passages such as Colossians 2:9, which states, “For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form.”

The eternal sonship of Christ further refutes adoptionism. Jesus did not become God’s Son through adoption; he has always been the Son of God. John 3:16 declares, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The phrase “one and only Son” emphasizes Jesus’ unique and eternal relationship with the Father.

Adoptionism’s failure to acknowledge the eternal sonship of Christ leads to a diminished view of his divine authority and redemptive work. By reducing Jesus to a human figure elevated by God, adoptionism denies the full significance of his atoning sacrifice. Only a Savior who is both fully God and fully man can mediate between God and humanity, as 1 Timothy 2:5 states: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.”

Conclusion: Standing Against Adoptionism

The biblical evidence overwhelmingly refutes adoptionism and affirms the eternal divinity and sonship of Jesus Christ. From the testimony of Scripture, it is clear that Jesus is the eternal Son of God, who took on human flesh to accomplish the work of redemption. Adoptionism’s attempts to diminish his divine nature are inconsistent with the biblical witness and undermine the core truths of the Christian faith.

As believers, it is essential to uphold the biblical teaching about Jesus’ person and work, remaining faithful to the truths revealed in God’s Word. By doing so, Christians can confidently refute heresies like adoptionism and proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God and Savior of the world.

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).