Terminology - Adoption

Adoption - In Baptism, the Holy Spirit transforms us into children of the Father, thereby making us his adopted sons and daughters in the likeness of his eternal Son (see Eph 1:3-6).  In this way, the faithful are made "partakers in the divine nature (cf. 2 Pt 1:4) by uniting them in a living union with the only Son, the Savior" (Cathechism of the Catholic Church [CCC], no. 1129).  In the sacraments, we become the sons and daughters of God by adoption through Christ Jesus.