Hebrews Study
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H. Jesus is the prototype for redeemed humanity. “I shall be a Father to him and he shall be a Son to me. And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, 'And let all the angels of God worship him."
1. “A Father" - πατέρα – This signifies authorship, a progenitor, usually with regard to a family line. It also describes the beginning of a society whose members possess the same spirit as its author. This idea is embodied in role of Abraham. Physically, he is the progenitor of an entire race – Jews. Paul also reveals him as the “father” of the circumcised of heart who possess the same faith or spirit as that of Abraham, Romans four. Through Jesus, God has brought forth a new society of people who are animated by the same Spirit of God. This idea is further illustrated in the concept of “First-born” as we will see in chapter six.
2. “A Son” - This implies a relationship of submission in his redemptive and mediatorial role. “Will be” suggests a change in status. If the implication is one of subjection, it then follows that Jesus, prior to his incarnation, was not in subjection to the Father as a subordinate being or even as a lesser member of the Godhead. Philippians 2:5-11 explains very well the idea of subjection and subordination as a change of status that is outside the norm. What Jesus surrendered in becoming man was not IN-equality but equality. It is impossible to surrender that which one does not possess.
3. “First-born” – πρωτότοκον – This defines the first of anything that is born of flock, heard, or even men. Jesus becomes the first, the προς τον τυρον – the one for the pattern. He is the prototype of a new society of those who by faith become children of God, Romans 8:29; those of whom John says, “are born not of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of the God,” John 1:12-13. Jesus becomes the forerunner of the sons of God through his resurrection,“You are my Son; Today I have begotten you.” Firstborn also implies that others are to follow.
The significance of firstborn has its roots in the Old Testament. Being the firstborn son carried prestige, honor, privilege, blessing, authority, and double portion inheritance. Being the firstborn was also a matter of consecration to God, Exodus 13:3,11-16. In the New Testament, Jesus is called “firstborn” eight times and always with the same implications.
a. He was the first-born of Mary, Luke 2:7, Matthew 1:25. We know Mary had other children whose names are recorded in Matthew 13:55-56 but, Jesus was her firstborn. He was the first in the order of others that followed.
b. He is called the firstborn among many brethren, Romans 8:29. He is the prototype - the first, into whose image Christians are to conform.
c. He is called the firstborn in Hebrews12:23 to whom the church belongs.
d. He is called the firstborn of every creature, Colossians 1:15-17. He is not firstborn because he was created first. He is first-born because:
* All things were created by him. He is the active cause of all things that exist and the one to whom all things belong.
* He is before all things – this establishes divine preeminence.
* He holds all things together. This illustrates divine power.
e. He is called firstborn from among the dead, Colossians 1:18. This does not means that he was the first one ever resurrected from the dead. It does not even mean that he is the first one resurrected from the dead never to die again. What it means is that he holds preeminent status because:
* He is the head of the body.
* He is the ἀρχή – the beginning as in the active cause, the one through whose power all things had their beginning.
* He is the first one of a new society of sons of God.
4. “Into the world" – οἰκουμένην – This is the feminine, present, passive participle of οἰκέω which means to in habit or to dwell thus, the inhabited earth. Kenneth Wuest applies this, as do many other commentators, to a millennial reign of Christ upon the earth. In his book Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, volume 2, pages 46-47, Wuest says,
“It is into the midst of the Revised Roman Empire headed up by the Antichrist, that God will bring the Messiah, the empire at that future time covering the entire earth. It is of that future time that God says of Messiah, 'And let all the angels of God worship him...
' The return of Messiah to this earth will be accompanied by hosts of worshiping angels.” Still, others argue that this refers to the incarnation of Jesus. It is important to bear in mind the context in which the writer uses οἰκουμένην. The context demands that οἰκουμένην be limited in scope in direct proportion to the title of “First-born” for it is as first-born that he enters into that world.
The use of the term “first-born” is applied not to Jesus incarnation but to his resurrection. Since it is as first-born that he enters into the world in question, it must then be understood in the same context. The world then applies to his resurrection into his reign. This reign includes his sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. The time of his reign is not future but present. The scope of his reign includes the nations of the earth as an inheritance and the ends of the earth as a possession, Psalms 2:8. In 1Peter 3:21, Peter says that angels, authorities, and powers have already been brought into subjection unto him. In Revelation 11:15, John says, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” This is not suggesting some millennial reign in which Jesus will finally conquer all the nations of the earth reordering their political structures. The nations as an inheritance is the purchasing of men for God out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation, Revelation 5:9-10. The purchasing is accomplished through the preaching of the gospel, Colossians 1:5-6, 23.
Bringing Messiah into the world should be understood to be future only as it was seen through the eyes of the Old Testament prophets, not through the eyes of the first century writers and certainly not so through the eyes of the twentieth century reader. The Old Testament prophets were inspired to write of his reign as a future event. To them it certainly was. The New Testament writers quite from those prophets and make application of their words as an already accomplished event. The “world to come” of verse five has already been brought into subjection as verses 8-13 will go on to show us. This is the inauguration of Christ upon the throne of heaven. He is now the one who possesses the scepter of righteousness of the kingdom and is the anointed one over his companions. So, the “world to come” into which he enters as “first-born” is Messiah's reign as God upon the throne of heaven which is accomplished via his resurrection and ascenssion to the right hand.
1. “A Father" - πατέρα – This signifies authorship, a progenitor, usually with regard to a family line. It also describes the beginning of a society whose members possess the same spirit as its author. This idea is embodied in role of Abraham. Physically, he is the progenitor of an entire race – Jews. Paul also reveals him as the “father” of the circumcised of heart who possess the same faith or spirit as that of Abraham, Romans four. Through Jesus, God has brought forth a new society of people who are animated by the same Spirit of God. This idea is further illustrated in the concept of “First-born” as we will see in chapter six.
2. “A Son” - This implies a relationship of submission in his redemptive and mediatorial role. “Will be” suggests a change in status. If the implication is one of subjection, it then follows that Jesus, prior to his incarnation, was not in subjection to the Father as a subordinate being or even as a lesser member of the Godhead. Philippians 2:5-11 explains very well the idea of subjection and subordination as a change of status that is outside the norm. What Jesus surrendered in becoming man was not IN-equality but equality. It is impossible to surrender that which one does not possess.
3. “First-born” – πρωτότοκον – This defines the first of anything that is born of flock, heard, or even men. Jesus becomes the first, the προς τον τυρον – the one for the pattern. He is the prototype of a new society of those who by faith become children of God, Romans 8:29; those of whom John says, “are born not of flesh, nor of the will of man, but of the God,” John 1:12-13. Jesus becomes the forerunner of the sons of God through his resurrection,“You are my Son; Today I have begotten you.” Firstborn also implies that others are to follow.
The significance of firstborn has its roots in the Old Testament. Being the firstborn son carried prestige, honor, privilege, blessing, authority, and double portion inheritance. Being the firstborn was also a matter of consecration to God, Exodus 13:3,11-16. In the New Testament, Jesus is called “firstborn” eight times and always with the same implications.
a. He was the first-born of Mary, Luke 2:7, Matthew 1:25. We know Mary had other children whose names are recorded in Matthew 13:55-56 but, Jesus was her firstborn. He was the first in the order of others that followed.
b. He is called the firstborn among many brethren, Romans 8:29. He is the prototype - the first, into whose image Christians are to conform.
c. He is called the firstborn in Hebrews12:23 to whom the church belongs.
d. He is called the firstborn of every creature, Colossians 1:15-17. He is not firstborn because he was created first. He is first-born because:
* All things were created by him. He is the active cause of all things that exist and the one to whom all things belong.
* He is before all things – this establishes divine preeminence.
* He holds all things together. This illustrates divine power.
e. He is called firstborn from among the dead, Colossians 1:18. This does not means that he was the first one ever resurrected from the dead. It does not even mean that he is the first one resurrected from the dead never to die again. What it means is that he holds preeminent status because:
* He is the head of the body.
* He is the ἀρχή – the beginning as in the active cause, the one through whose power all things had their beginning.
* He is the first one of a new society of sons of God.
4. “Into the world" – οἰκουμένην – This is the feminine, present, passive participle of οἰκέω which means to in habit or to dwell thus, the inhabited earth. Kenneth Wuest applies this, as do many other commentators, to a millennial reign of Christ upon the earth. In his book Word Studies in the Greek New Testament, volume 2, pages 46-47, Wuest says,
“It is into the midst of the Revised Roman Empire headed up by the Antichrist, that God will bring the Messiah, the empire at that future time covering the entire earth. It is of that future time that God says of Messiah, 'And let all the angels of God worship him...
' The return of Messiah to this earth will be accompanied by hosts of worshiping angels.” Still, others argue that this refers to the incarnation of Jesus. It is important to bear in mind the context in which the writer uses οἰκουμένην. The context demands that οἰκουμένην be limited in scope in direct proportion to the title of “First-born” for it is as first-born that he enters into that world.
The use of the term “first-born” is applied not to Jesus incarnation but to his resurrection. Since it is as first-born that he enters into the world in question, it must then be understood in the same context. The world then applies to his resurrection into his reign. This reign includes his sovereignty over all the nations of the earth. The time of his reign is not future but present. The scope of his reign includes the nations of the earth as an inheritance and the ends of the earth as a possession, Psalms 2:8. In 1Peter 3:21, Peter says that angels, authorities, and powers have already been brought into subjection unto him. In Revelation 11:15, John says, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ; and He will reign forever and ever.” This is not suggesting some millennial reign in which Jesus will finally conquer all the nations of the earth reordering their political structures. The nations as an inheritance is the purchasing of men for God out of every tribe, tongue, people and nation, Revelation 5:9-10. The purchasing is accomplished through the preaching of the gospel, Colossians 1:5-6, 23.
Bringing Messiah into the world should be understood to be future only as it was seen through the eyes of the Old Testament prophets, not through the eyes of the first century writers and certainly not so through the eyes of the twentieth century reader. The Old Testament prophets were inspired to write of his reign as a future event. To them it certainly was. The New Testament writers quite from those prophets and make application of their words as an already accomplished event. The “world to come” of verse five has already been brought into subjection as verses 8-13 will go on to show us. This is the inauguration of Christ upon the throne of heaven. He is now the one who possesses the scepter of righteousness of the kingdom and is the anointed one over his companions. So, the “world to come” into which he enters as “first-born” is Messiah's reign as God upon the throne of heaven which is accomplished via his resurrection and ascenssion to the right hand.
P
Hi oldhermit.
Seeing how you and I obviously hold some very similar beliefs in relation to when Christ was begotten and when He was appointed heir of all things, even as we've discussed the same before on the Deity of Christ thread, I'm hoping that you won't mind if I cut and paste segments of a rather lengthy post that I made on that thread in relation to the same which will confirm much of what you've said thus far and hopefully help to add to the understanding of others here as well as to our own understandings. Due to its length, I'll need to post it in two parts. Here goes:
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/115498-poll-deity-christ-46.html#post2147563 (Part 1)
Seeing how you and I obviously hold some very similar beliefs in relation to when Christ was begotten and when He was appointed heir of all things, even as we've discussed the same before on the Deity of Christ thread, I'm hoping that you won't mind if I cut and paste segments of a rather lengthy post that I made on that thread in relation to the same which will confirm much of what you've said thus far and hopefully help to add to the understanding of others here as well as to our own understandings. Due to its length, I'll need to post it in two parts. Here goes:
http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/115498-poll-deity-christ-46.html#post2147563 (Part 1)
P
P
may i ask a favor, if it's not too much trouble?
for example, when you use the Greek πρωτότοκος, could you include the transliteration prototokos?
i'm familiar with that from church, but the rest is Greek to me.
i understand, though, if this is something already written and pasted here.
thanks so much.
for example, when you use the Greek πρωτότοκος, could you include the transliteration prototokos?
i'm familiar with that from church, but the rest is Greek to me.
i understand, though, if this is something already written and pasted here.
thanks so much.
may i ask a favor, if it's not too much trouble?
for example, when you use the Greek πρωτότοκος, could you include the transliteration prototokos?
i'm familiar with that from church, but the rest is Greek to me.
i understand, though, if this is something already written and pasted here.
thanks so much.
for example, when you use the Greek πρωτότοκος, could you include the transliteration prototokos?
i'm familiar with that from church, but the rest is Greek to me.
i understand, though, if this is something already written and pasted here.
thanks so much.
Along with all the other linear interpretational theories has any one considered the fact that Jesus after His resurrection and so called linear time of becoming Gods Son that Jesus didn't ascend to His Already Father until 40 days after His resurrection? So apparently with regard to time and theory man as usual is way off in his wisdom.
Its also worth mentioning that when Jesus was baptised which holds not only water but Spiritual implications the Father already declaired Jesus His Son. This IS my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Just stating facts not theories.
One day is as a thousand years. SO Today I have begotten a Son is an endless day for the Lord not to be taken in man's understanding
Its also worth mentioning that when Jesus was baptised which holds not only water but Spiritual implications the Father already declaired Jesus His Son. This IS my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Just stating facts not theories.
One day is as a thousand years. SO Today I have begotten a Son is an endless day for the Lord not to be taken in man's understanding
And as far as this triadic none biblical theory there is according to Gods Word only God creator of the Spiritual world and the physical world. God didn't creat Himself so there cannnot be a tri anything. God connects Himself to both realities as in a "V" shape God being at the point of where two worlds so to speak are mediated and connected through the Son who created everything seen and unseen.
Dear OH, you brought up in your OP a triadical reality even suggesting that one cannot even brush their teeth without it being a reality. And I'm not debating it with you I'm just stating facts and that is my right. This is also a discussion forum and you not I brought up the "discussion". If you are here to only voice your theories subtilly and not answer to them when questioned you are on the wrong forum wouldn't you agree?
P
I wouldn't be too sure about that if I was you because there is a lot of controversy surrounding what you just suggested. For starters, when Christ was raised from the dead, He became the firstfruits of them that slept or He perfectly fulfilled the Jewish Feast of Firstfruits. A sheaf of the firstfruits was to be presented before the LORD in the temple to be accepted on behalf of the whole harvest, so what temple was Christ the firstfruits presented before the LORD in? We know from the epistle to the Hebrews and elsewhere that there is a temple in heaven into which Christ entered at some point in time and school is still out as to exactly when that transpired. Some believe that when Christ told Mary Magdelene not to touch or cling to Him because He hadn't yet ascended to the Father that He immediately ascended to the Father after speaking with her. Such beliefs are based upon the fact that Jesus was later handled or touched by several women and touched by Thomas as well before the ascension to heaven that you're referring to. In other words, there are those who believe that Christ actually ascended twice.
And what did Jesus' baptism prefigure if not His burial and resurrection from the dead?
Hogwash.
Paul explained exactly what day in linear history it was in Acts chapter 13 and its contextual usages in Hebrews chapter 1 and Hebrews chapter 5 both point to the precise day in linear history when Christ was raised from the dead. Unless, of course, you believe that THE MAN Christ Jesus had a Priesthood prior to this? You don't believe that, do you? Finally, the original context in Psalm 2 verse 7 explains how Jesus was begotten on a literal day in linear history and that day was the day in which God raised Him from the dead after Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the children of Israel had conspired together in relation to His crucifixion.
These are the actual facts and you'd be wise to embrace them.
And what did Jesus' baptism prefigure if not His burial and resurrection from the dead?
Hogwash.
Paul explained exactly what day in linear history it was in Acts chapter 13 and its contextual usages in Hebrews chapter 1 and Hebrews chapter 5 both point to the precise day in linear history when Christ was raised from the dead. Unless, of course, you believe that THE MAN Christ Jesus had a Priesthood prior to this? You don't believe that, do you? Finally, the original context in Psalm 2 verse 7 explains how Jesus was begotten on a literal day in linear history and that day was the day in which God raised Him from the dead after Herod, Pilate, the Gentiles and the children of Israel had conspired together in relation to His crucifixion.
These are the actual facts and you'd be wise to embrace them.
You are arguing against something you clearly do not understand. Why do people do this? You clearly do not understand what I am talking about with regard to the triadic universe, triadic reality, or the triadic unity yet you are very quick to attack an idea that you have probably never heard of before in your life and most certainly do not grasp.
