Series: Towards Maturity
The Scripture declares the Lord Jesus Christ is the "Firstborn".
Colossians 1:15-18In doing this it is using the family culture of Old Testament Israel, instituted by God Himself, to picture His relationship to God the Father and to us as God's children.
Romans 8:29
Isaac - Gen. 16-22The Firstborn held special status in the family. He had . . .
Jacob - Gen. 25-27
Joseph - Gen. 37, 49:22-26
Ephraim - Gen. 48:10-20
David - Psalm 89:19-37
Deuteronomy 21:17
Exodus 34:19
Numbers 3:11-12
Genesis 43:33
Firstborn over all creation
Colossians 1:15
Firstborn from among the dead
Colossians 1:18
Firstborn among many brothers
Romans 8:29
The Lord Jesus is, and always has been, the Firstborn, with the special position, inheritance and responsibility, over all creation. So when Man, the highest of God's creation, fell, He took His responsibility and came to save us. So, as Firstborn over all creation, He became Firstborn from among the dead, and through His resurrection, bringing many sons back into glory with Him, He became Firstborn among many brothers.
Luke 15:11-32In this parable, the older brother was just as "lost" in his relationship to his father as was the younger brother who took his inheritance and left home. The older brother failed in all three areas of being "Firstborn". He failed to take his position, he failed to use his inheritance, and he failed to take his responsibility for the younger brother.
"But you have come to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven" Heb. 12:22-23.
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Unless otherwise stated, all scriptures quoted in these studies are from the New International Version of the Bible, & copy; New York International Bible Society, used by permission. Other versions referred to are: KJV (King James Version), NKJB (New King James Bible), TLB (The Living Bible), Amp (The Amplified Bible) and The Message. All versions used by permission.
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