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 that would follow (Lev 2:12, 23; 23:17, 39).
In his initial letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul borrows from this circumstance and refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits" of them 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 shall be raised from the grave at the time of the Lord's return. This argument rebuts the claim of some at Corinth who argued there would be no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). It effectively refutes those today who teach the same heresy. See ESCHATOLOGY.
In his initial letter to the saints at Corinth, Paul borrows from this circumstance and refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits" of them 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 shall be raised from the grave at the time of the Lord's return. This argument rebuts the claim of some at Corinth who argued there would be no resurrection (1 Cor. 15:12). It effectively refutes those today who teach the same heresy. See ESCHATOLOGY.
