165 Christ the Firstborn - a podcast by Dr David Petts - Pentecostal preacher, former AoG Bible College Principal

Christ the Firstborn

 

At this time of the year the traditional Christmas readings make us familiar with the fact that Jesus was Mary’s firstborn son:

 

Matthew 1:25 KJV

 

(Joseph) knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Luke 2:7 KJV

 

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

 

But perhaps we are less familiar with the fact that the NT also makes it clear that Jesus was also GOD’S firstborn:

 

Hebrews 1:6 NIV

 

And again, when God brings his firstborn into the world, he says, ‘Let all God’s angels worship him.’

 

Note:

 

1. This verse relates to the nativity - when God brings his firstborn into the world
2. The angels are here instructed to worship Jesus
3. The verse suggests that he was God’s firstborn before he came into the world.

 

This is borne out by the use of the title firstborn in the NT when applied to Jesus as God’s firstborn. The Greek word for firstborn is ??????????. When Jesus is called Mary’s firstborn it simply means that he was the first son she had. But when he is called GOD’S firstborn it means much much more.

 

Let’s see what the NT has to teach on this thrilling subject.

 

 

 

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN OVER ALL CREATION

 

Colossians 1:15-20 ESV

15. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.
16. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.
17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.
19. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell,
20. and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

 

Note verse 15:

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

 

What does this mean?

NOT that he is a created being as the JWs suggest. Quite the opposite!

 

15. He is the image of the invisible God

Greek: ?????   God is invisible but in Jesus we see his exact likeness

 

16. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

He’s the Creator of everything !

 

17. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

He’s the preexistent sustainer of the universe

 

18. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 

19. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell

All the fullness of deity dwells in him!

 

In light of all this, firstborn must mean something more than ‘born first’. It is connected with the idea of supremacy. The idea springs from the rights and privileges of a firstborn son. See Heb. 12:16 re Esau where ?????????? means birthright or the inheritance rights of a firstborn son.

So the word firstborn is closely identified with the word heir.

Let’s go back to Hebrews 1. We’ll read the whole chapter in a moment, but first please note how firstborn is associated with heir in vv. 2-6.

 

2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”

 

Cf. Romans 8:16-17 , 29.

 

16. The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

 

29. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 

Hebrews 1:1-14 ESV

 

1. Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets,
2. but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.
3. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,
4. having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs.
5. For to which of the angels did God ever say, “You are my Son, today I have begotten you”? Or again, “I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son”?
6. And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says, “Let all God’s angels worship him.”
7. Of the angels he says, “He makes his angels winds, and his ministers a flame of fire.”
8. But of the Son he says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of your kingdom.
9. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.”
10. And, “You, Lord, laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
11. they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment, 12. like a robe you will roll them up, like a garment they will be changed. But you are the same, and your years will have no end.”
12. And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?
13. Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

 

In v6 we see that Jesus is referred to as God’s firstborn and the chapter shows clearly that it’s connected with supremacy.

 

v2 the heir of all things

 

v3 He is the radiance of the glory of God

He’s the exact imprint of his nature (cf. Col. 1:15)

he upholds the universe by the word of his power

He’s seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high

 

v6 all God’s angels worship him

 

v8 he’s addressed as God. He will reign for ever

 

v10 he laid the foundation of the earth in the beginning, and the heavens are the work of his hands

 

v13 his enemies are under his feet

 

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD

 

Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 

Cf. Revelation 1:5 ESV

 

…Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth

 

Note:

 

His victory over death is the basis of:

 

His supremacy in the church

His supremacy on earth

Our victory too! Cf. 1 Corinthians 15:22-23

For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

 

This leads us to:

 

JESUS IS THE FIRSTBORN AMONG MANY BROTHERS AND SISTERS

 

Romans 8:29

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

 

Of course, we all know v28.

 

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

 

But that doesn’t mean that in this life ‘everything will turn out all right in the end’. Rather, it means that whatever we go through here is nothing compared with our ultimate destiny!

 

Read Romans 8:16-39

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