Approach: Reading a couple passages within the context of adoption and regeneration.

Hermeneutic objective: Observing the importance and significance of events and their sequence.

Theological objective: There is a sequence to God's divine actions:

1. Adoption – this establishes the legal basis of being a child of God.

2. Regeneration – being "born again" changes the origin of birth and establishes a natural relationship to God. This holy relationship entitles the Believer to an inheritance.

Occurring at this time as well is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, which seals the Believer as a child of God, and serves as a deposit guaranteeing the Believer's inheritance. Regeneration validates the Believer's legal adoption by God.