FIRSTFRUITS
What Is the Biblical Significance of Firstfruits?
Each year, the ancient Hebrews would offer the "firstfruits" of their crops to God as a token of their thanksgiving for the bounty to come (Lev 2:12, 23; 23:17, 39).
In his initial letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul draws on this circumstance and refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits" of those who are asleep (1 Cor. 15:20, 23).
The imagery affirms that Jesus' resurrection from the dead is God's pledge to us that we too will be raised from the grave at the time of the Lord's return. This argument refutes the claim of some at Corinth who argued that there would be no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). It also effectively refutes those today who teach the same heresy. See ESCHATOLOGY.
In his initial letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul draws on this circumstance and refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits" of those who are asleep (1 Cor. 15:20, 23).
The imagery affirms that Jesus' resurrection from the dead is God's pledge to us that we too will be raised from the grave at the time of the Lord's return. This argument refutes the claim of some at Corinth who argued that there would be no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). It also effectively refutes those today who teach the same heresy. See ESCHATOLOGY.
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Adapted from the book "Bible Words and Theological Terms Made Easy" by Wayne Jackson
