Prototokos

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" (Col. 1:15, NKJV)

 There are various interpretations as to the meaning of this passage; three will be discussed here based on the definition of “firstborn.” The first interpretation, held by Jehovah’s Witnesses, is that Jesus is, “a god but not fully God.”[1] They believe Christ was the first created being and then all other created beings were created by Him.[2] This view was first made popular by Arius and it is important to note that at the Council of Nicaea, this view was rejected as heresy and blasphemy.[3] Mormons, on the other hand, believe that Christ was born to Father God and one of His wives. Again, this denies Christ’s existence from eternity past and makes Him lesser than the Father. The problem seems to be with the interpretation of the word prototokos, the Greek word translated “firstborn.”   

 Erwin Lutzer defines prototokos as first bearer.[4] He writes, “Even if the word be translated firstborn, this would not imply that Christ was the first being to be created. Though Jacob was younger than his brother, Esau, Jacob was the firstborn. It is not a matter of time but status that determines who the firstborn is. Christ is the preeminent One.”[5] To suggest that Christ is a “created being,” rather than fully God, limits His atoning power. As Lutzer notes, “But could salvation have been brought about if God had delegated the suffering to one of his creatures? No.”[6]

A sacrifice worthy of God’s acceptance for the redemption of fallen man had to be perfect, holy, and without blemish. As Lutzer explains, “Think of it this way: God needed a ransom so that man might be forgiven, but only he could meet his own demands.”[7]

Bibliography

Boyd, Gregory A., Paul R. Eddy. Across the Spectrum: Understanding Issues in 

 Evangelical Theology, 2^nd Edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2009.

Lutzer, Erwin. The Doctrines That Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That 

 Separate Christians. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998. 

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 [1]. Erwin Lutzer, The Doctrines That Divide: A Fresh Look at the Historic Doctrines That Separate Christians, (Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications, 1998), 28. 

 [2]. Ibid., 28.

 [3]. Ibid., 28-30.

 [4]. Ibid., 32.

 [5]. Ibid., 32.

 [6]. Ibid., 33.

 [7]. Ibid., 33.

The Physician

A man has a notable and highly skilled doctor. He goes to the Dr. two to three times a year for checkups. His Dr. runs tests and then, based on his knowledge and years of experience, puts together a diet and daily regimen for the man to follow so that he will be healthy. The man goes home and after a week or two, he feels good so he begins to ease off the regimen. Six months later he returns to the Dr. for a visit. The Dr. checks him over and tells him he needs to watch his diet, exercise and take his medications. The man goes home, follows the Dr.’s advice, for a week and a half, and then slacks off again. Another six months passes and he returns for a check-up. The Dr. warns him that he is aging and stresses the importance of following the regimen. The man promptly thanks the Dr. and returns home. This time he follows orders for two days and thinks to himself, “I feel fine, if anything changes, he’s a good Dr. and he will know what to do.” This continues for another three years and his visits are now eight to twelve months apart. He played sports in school and was always in good shape; it must be good genes.

The day comes when his Dr. runs the usual tests but this time he brings the man into his office and tells him he has diabetes and a severe heart condition. The man flippantly says “so how are you going to fix it?” His Dr. replies, “I have tried over the last several years to fix it by preventing it from happening. I gave you prescriptions, a diet, an exercise regimen and everything you needed to prevent this. There is not much I can do at this point.” He gives the man a new regimen, more restrictive than the first. After two days, the man says, “this is no quality of life, I might as well be comfortable and happy.”

The man does not want to face his Dr. because he always knows the man has not followed his directions. It seems like he can see what he is doing and not doing. He is uncomfortable when he sees the look of disappointment in his Dr.’s eyes; it is as though the Dr. is more concerned about his condition than he is. He postpones his appointment for over a year but soon begins to experience unusual symptoms. He plans to make an appointment but suffers a major stroke and then a heart attack. He is paralyzed and miserable. Again he looks to his Dr. to fix him. His Dr. tells him, “Unfortunately, medicine won’t fix your body or your stubbornness.” The man exclaims, “It’s all your fault! You should have warned me that this was going to happen.”

Isn’t this how we are with God? He has given us His Word, He seeks our prayers and He sent His Son to suffer and die for “our” sins. He has given us a regimen that will benefit us, not Him. We ignore His instructions and assume He will always be there to fix us. We do not heed the warnings or follow His instructions and then we want to blame Him for our pathetic condition.

Friend, do not wait. Do not ignore the warnings, go to the Great Physician today and do what He says because He loves you and it is for your own good. Go to the only One who can heal both soul and body. 

^“Jesus answered and said to him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.” –John 14:23-24, NKJV

“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” –John 5:14, NKJV

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