Names & Offices Only Begotten:
John 3:18, Jesus is called the, “Only begotten Son” of God. The Greek word for begotten is “momogenes’. In John’s writings, when referring to Christ, and only in the highest sense, it means, He, and only He, came from the Father, and He alone knows and can reveal to us, the essence and will of the Father.
Colossians 1:15, Jesus is called, “The first-born of every creature.”
This verse has been abused and incorrectly taught by many in the cults. The term first-born has a duel meaning. The Greek word is prototokos. The Hebrew word is, bik-koor.
What it does not mean. This title first-born, in no way implies that Jesus was the first to be created by the Father. This is the doctrine of Satan, and blasphemy toward God.
The idea of the first-born can be used in the following way. Its meaning is applied to the first born in a family, the first born of an animal, etc. We read in, Matthew 1:25, which speaks of Joseph the relationship he had with his future wife, Mary. It is said of Joseph,
“And (he, (Joseph) knew her (Mary) not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name Jesus.” Jesus was the first to be born of Mary.
Hebrews 11:28, “Through faith he (Moses) kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest He (God) that destroyed the firstborn (in Egypt) should touch them.
Genesis 27:19, “Jacob said unto his father = (Isaac), I am Esau thy firstborn.” Esau had sold his birthright to his brother Jacob.
The right of the first-born and its privileges, can be forfeited by improper conduct, and consequently transferred from an elder to a younger brother, this being the case here. Jacob went before his aged father Isaac, who was then 137 years of age, disguising himself as his brother Esau.
By an act of deception, with his mother as a co-conspirator, Jacob went to claim the blessing of the first-born. As he was given this patriarchal blessing, he now had all rights concerning the first-born of the family. See also, Genesis 27:32, Exodus 1:5, 12:12-29.
Jesus is called the first-born of the Father. This title concerns the dignity which was conferred upon Christ, as the head of the body = (the church). He being the first to be raised from the dead, and for the suffering of death, was crowned with glory and honor.
Colossians 1:18, Jesus is termed the “First-born.”
Revelation 1:5, Jesus is called the “First begotten from the dead.”
Hebrews 1:2, the, “Heir of all things.” This designation of first-born, includes,
Acts 2:36, “Lord and Christ.”
Acts 10:36, Jesus is called, “Lord of all.” This title gives Him supreme dominion as the Lord, Proprietor, Ruler, and Disposer of all persons and things.
Matthew 28:18, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
John 3:35, “The Father loveth the son, and hath given all things into his hands.”
John 17:5, Jesus “had glory with the Father before the world was.”
Colossians 1:17, Christ is considered in His Divine nature, “before all things.”
Colossians 1:19, “For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.”
So, from the above, we can see how important this title, first-born is in the understanding the sovereignty of the Lord Jesus.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com