Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, the concept of "first fruits" extends beyond its literal agricultural context to embody a rich tapestry of figurative meanings. The term "first fruits" (Hebrew: בִּכּוּרִים, bikkurim; Greek: ἀπαρχή, aparchē) originally referred to the initial yield of the harvest, which was offered to God as an expression of gratitude and acknowledgment of His provision (Exodus 23:19, Leviticus 23:10). However, the metaphorical use of "first fruits" permeates Scripture, symbolizing various spiritual truths and realities.Christ as the First Fruits The Apostle Paul employs the metaphor of first fruits to describe Christ's resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:20, Paul declares, "But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep" . Here, Christ's resurrection is portrayed as the first installment and guarantee of the future resurrection of believers. Just as the first fruits of the harvest were a pledge of the full crop to come, Christ's victory over death assures the eventual resurrection of all who belong to Him. Believers as First Fruits The New Testament also applies the concept of first fruits to believers themselves. In James 1:18, it is written, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we would be a kind of firstfruits of His creation" . This passage suggests that believers, as recipients of the new birth through the gospel, are the initial evidence of God's redemptive work in the world. They are set apart as holy, dedicated to God, and serve as a foretaste of the ultimate renewal of creation. The Holy Spirit as First Fruits Paul further extends the metaphor in Romans 8:23, where he writes, "And not only this, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies" . The Holy Spirit is described as the first fruits, indicating that the Spirit's presence in believers is a down payment or guarantee of the full inheritance to come. This includes the future redemption and glorification of their bodies, pointing to the consummation of God's salvific plan. Israel as First Fruits In the Old Testament, Israel is sometimes depicted as God's first fruits among the nations. Jeremiah 2:3 states, "Israel was holy to the LORD, the firstfruits of His harvest" . This designation underscores Israel's unique status as God's chosen people, set apart for His purposes. It also foreshadows the broader inclusion of the Gentiles, as the first fruits imply a larger harvest to follow, encompassing all nations in God's redemptive plan. Conclusion The figurative use of "first fruits" in Scripture serves as a profound symbol of God's faithfulness and the unfolding of His redemptive purposes. Whether referring to Christ, believers, the Holy Spirit, or Israel, the metaphor underscores themes of promise, dedication, and the anticipation of future fulfillment. Through the lens of first fruits, believers are invited to live in the present reality of God's kingdom while eagerly awaiting its ultimate consummation. Nave's Topical Index Romans 8:23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Nave's Topical Index Romans 11:16 1 Corinthians 15:20,23 James 1:18 Library Whether There was any Reasonable Cause for the Ceremonial ... On Baptism. Rom. xvi. 5 Joy and Faith, the Fruits of Christ's Departure Of those Things which a Man of God Spake by the Spirit to Eli the ... On the Baptism of Christ. After Christ: with Christ It is a Wretched Slavery which Takes the Figurative Expressions of ... The Figurative Language of Scripture. The First Epistle General of Peter Resources What was the first / original church? Is the original / first church the true church? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Paul say the gospel brings salvation to the Jew first and then the Gentile? | GotQuestions.org Who was the first Jew? | GotQuestions.org First: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics First and Second Books Of Chronicles First and Second Books Of Kings First Epistle To The Corinthians First Epistle To The Thessalonians First Fruits: As a Heave offering First Fruits: Belonged to the Priests First Fruits: First Ripe of Fruits, Grain, Oil, Wine, and First of Fleece, Required As an offering First Fruits: Freewill offerings of, Given to the Prophets First Fruits: Offerings of, Must be Free from Blemish First Fruits: Presented at the Tabernacle First Fruits: To be offered As a Thank-Offering Upon Entrance Into the Land of Promise First Fruits: Wave offering of The First Born of Clean Beasts: Antiquity of offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Could not be a Free-Will offering The First Born of Clean Beasts: Flesh of, the Priest's Portion The First Born of Clean Beasts: Law of Redemption For The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Shorn The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not Taken from the Dam for Seven Days The First Born of Clean Beasts: Not to Labour The First Born of Clean Beasts: Offered in Sacrifice The First Born of Clean Beasts: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Price of Redemption For The First Born of Israel: Price of, Given to the Priests The First Born of Israel: To be Redeemed The First Born of Israel: Tribe of Levi Taken For The First Born of Man and Beast Dedicated to God The First Born of the Donkey to be Redeemed With Lamb or Its Neck Broken The First Born: Dedicated to Commemorate the Sparing of the First Born of The First Born: Laws Respecting, Observed at Christ's Birth The First Born: Laws Respecting, Restored After the Captivity The First Born: Objects of Special Love The First Born: Precious and Valuable The First Born: Privileges of a Double Portion of Inheritance The First Born: Privileges of Authority Over the Younger Children The First Born: Privileges of Could be Forfeited by Misconduct The First Born: Privileges of Could be Sold The First Born: Privileges of in Case of Death the Next Brother to Raise up Seed To The First Born: Privileges of not to be Alienated by Parents Through Caprice The First Born: Privileges of Precedence in the Family The First Born: Privileges of Special Blessing by the Father The First Born: Privileges of The Father's Title and Power The First Born: Superseded: Aaron The First Born: Superseded: Adonijah The First Born: Superseded: Cain The First Born: Superseded: David's Brothers The First Born: Superseded: Esau The First Born: Superseded: Ishmael The First Born: Superseded: Japheth The First Born: Superseded: Manasseh The First Born: Superseded: Reuben The First Born: The Beginning of Strength and Excellency of Power The First Born: The Dignity of Christ The First Born: The Dignity of the Church The First Fruits: Allotted to the Priests The First Fruits: Church of Christ The First Fruits: Different Kinds of all Agricultural Produce The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Barley Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Fruit of New Trees in Fourth Year The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Honey The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wheat Harvest The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wine and Oil The First Fruits: Different Kinds of Wool The First Fruits: First Converts in Any Place The First Fruits: God Honored by the offering of The First Fruits: Holy to the Lord The First Fruits: Law of, Restored After the Captivity The First Fruits: Offering of, Consecrated the Whole The First Fruits: Resurrection of Christ The First Fruits: The Jewish Church The First Fruits: To be Brought to God's House The First Fruits: To be offered in a Basket The First Fruits: To be offered with Thanksgiving The First Fruits: To be offered without Delay The First Fruits: To be the Very Best of Their Kind Related Terms |
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