When you think of adoption today, you picture an adult adopting a child. In Ancient Rome, it became a common practice for Roman citizens who had no heir to adopt an adult male. Apparently it wasnt good enough that you were the next in line as a nephew or even the biological son. If a wealthy Roman citizen felt that his own son was unfit to inherit, he would choose someone who was, even if it was a slave. A Roman citizen couldnt bequeath his wealth to the gardener or family cat, it had to be a son.
It didnt matter if both parents of the adopted adult were still alive and had thought he might run the family business. When the offer for adoption came along, many adults took the opportunity with blessing from their parents. Being adopted was like getting a big raise.
When Julius Caeser was assassinated it was discovered in his will that he had secretly adopted his nephew, Augustus Caeser Octavius to be heir. This is the same Augustus whose decree for a census caused Jesus to be born in Bethlehem. After Augustus death his adopted son Tiberius became the Roman ruler.
While we tend to think of adoption as providing a safe and permanent home for children, we can still be adopted as adults today. For those adults that accept Christ as their Savior, they are adopted into His family with all the privileges as heirs to the Kingdom.
Tia Linschied is the mother of four beautiful children, two of which are adopted foster children. She enjoys writing about her family, homeschooling, and her experiences as a foster and adoptive parent.
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