Is first fruit in the new testament
In the New Testament, the concept of "firstfruits" is mentioned in several passages, particularly in relation to the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the salvation of believers. Here are some key references:
- 1 Corinthians 15:20-23: Paul writes, "But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him." Here, Jesus is referred to as the "firstfruits" of those who will be raised from the dead.
- James 1:18: James writes, "He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created." Here, believers are referred to as "firstfruits" of God's creation, indicating that they are the initial harvest of a larger harvest to come.
- Romans 8:23: Paul writes, "And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body." Here, believers are referred to as having "firstfruits of the Spirit," indicating that they have received a partial and foretaste of the ultimate redemption that is to come.
In each of these passages, the concept of "firstfruits" is used to convey the idea of a partial and initial harvest or manifestation of a larger reality. In the case of Jesus' resurrection, He is the "firstfruits" of those who will be raised from the dead. In the case of believers, they are the "firstfruits" of God's creation and have received a partial and foretaste of the ultimate redemption that is to come.
In Jewish tradition, the concept of "firstfruits" (Hebrew: בִכוֹר, bikkur) referred to the first portion of the harvest that was offered to God as a thanksgiving offering. This practice was commanded in Leviticus 23:10-11 and Deuteronomy 26:1-11. In the New Testament, the concept of "firstfruits" is applied to the resurrection of Jesus and the salvation of believers, emphasizing the idea that they are the initial and partial manifestation of a larger and ultimate reality.