wHY IS 'FIRSTBORN' in the plural in the book of Hebrews?

Question

In the book of Hebrews we read of the church of the firstborn(s)... the fistborn ones... in Greek firstborn is plural.

I asked the sincere Jehovah Witness at the train station this morning who was not learned in greek who said it must stand for Jessus, but then took it back when he heard it was plural in greek. So why is the whole church in a sense 'the firstborn ones'

And how many uses of firstborn are there in the New Testament

and the 'ruler' of the synogague who came to Jesus for the healing of his child, was also called 'the firstborn' of the synogague in the gospel. The word for ruler was prototokos... yet nother use

Answer 1

Perhaps more interesting than "firstborn" is the bible's use of the term "only-begotten" to describe Jesus (as the one creature personally created by Jehovah God).
http://watchtower.org/e/ti/index.htm?article=article_06.htm

(John 3:16) For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son




"Firstborn" refers either to one literally born earliest compared with other(s), or to those resurrected (or "re-born") earliest compared with other(s).

(Colossians 1:13,15) The Son of [God's] love... He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation

(Revelation 1:5) Jesus Christ, “the Faithful Witness,” “The firstborn from the dead


It would seem that this so-called question refers to this Scripture:
(Hebrews 12:23) the congregation of the firstborn who have been enrolled in the heavens, and God the Judge of all


Elsewhere, this group of humans resurrected to heaven are called "firstfruits" because they are resurrected (or "reborn") chronologically earlier than others.

(James 1:17-18) Father of the celestial lights...he brought us forth by the word of truth, for us to be certain firstfruits of his creatures.

(Revelation 20:5-6) The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were ended.) This is the first resurrection. Happy and holy is anyone having part in the first resurrection

(1 Corinthians 15:22-26) In the Christ all will be made alive. But each one in his own rank: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who belong to the Christ during his presence. Next, the end... As the last enemy, death is to be brought to nothing.



Learn more:
http://watchtower.org/e/20001001/
http://watchtower.org/e/pr/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/dg/index.htm?article=article_06.htm
http://watchtower.org/e/rq/index.htm?article=article_05.htm

Answer 2

The word firstborn is used in regard to several separate issues.

Let's briefly dispense with the natural use of the word. In the natural use we find many such instances in the Bible. The one that interest us is the one in regard to Jesus.
Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (DRC)

In this natural usage, Christ is the firstborn of all creation, the first and only one created directly by God, Jehovah.
See Jesus and His pre-human existence
http://bythebible.page.tl/Jesus-Christ.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/Jesus-h--Prehuman-Existence.htm
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Firstborn of the dead:
Colossians 1: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; (DRC)
Christ is the first to rise from the dead, being resurrected with a spiritual body.
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Firstborn ones enrolled in heaven:
Hebrews 12:23 to a festal gathering and assembly of firstborn sons who were enrolled in the heavens (ACV)

These are the Saints, the Born Again. They are the Saints of the church, assembly, congregation of firstborn of what? Of the Paraclete, the Helper, the Comforter. These are the only ones that received the spirit of the Helper. Other Christians only receive God's general Holy Spirit.

As Romans explains, the Helper provides them with internal proof / testimony that they are God's spiritual children / sons.

The firstborn, the Saints are destined to become kings and priests together with Christ in heaven and rule the earth filled with Christians and those that shall become Christian.

Though perhaps self evident, it is obvious that these firstborn Born Again are many. They don't become Born Again by personal choice. This choice is up to God and Christ. Thus there is quite a dispute by many denominations have many there are.

The number 144000 exists in Revelation. Actually, if it is literal or not is unimportant since all the Born Again have no so in if they are chosen or not. Thus the number is
determined by God in all cases.

These are clearly many, so because many more Christians will be saved that shall live on earth and that do not receive the Helper the word firstborn is applied to these.

They were the ones that first received the spirit on Pentecost. These were the ones that Jesus made a new covenant and a covenant for a kingdom with. Thus there are first in many things. They also are the only ones to receive the first resurrection.

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If I have overlooked anything ask.

Here is a page on the Saints, the Born Again, and another on the Helper:
http://bythebible.page.tl/Born-Again.htm
http://bythebible.page.tl/The-Helper.htm

Answer 3

Firstborn - as in born of the Spirit - the Church because you are not in the church unless you are born of the Spirit.

"firstborn" is found 7 times in 7 verses in the New Testament.

Matthew 1:25 - And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

Luke 2:7 - And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Romans 8:29 - For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Colossians 1:15 - Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

Colossians 1:18 - And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

Hebrews 11:28 - Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

Hebrews 12:23 - To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect,

Answer 4

The Pharaohs of that generation, people who had taken over from one who Joseph helped retailer, had a software of exterminating the sons of Israel. The midwives have been to kill them at start. God, at the last plague, repaid that empire for his or her assault on his sons, no longer simply the firstborns. (do not forget Moses was once the 3rd born). Plus the firstborns weren't simply the youngsters, however even the grown adults a number of the Egyptian populace, who didn't have dwelling firstborns. So it's viable that amongst a few of those who died, they have been of the royal magnificence and army that attempted to kill the sons of Israel.

Answer 5

There are 141 times throughout the Bible that "firstborn" is used.

If you are referring to Hebrews 12:23 which says, "to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect,..."

Jesus is the firstborn (referring to Jesus' resurrection to new life).

The church of the firstborn(s) are people=Christians who are saved by God's grace & belief and acceptance of Jesus Christ as their personal Lord & Savior (born again/reborn) after Jesus' Ascension into Heaven after His Resurrection & who have had their names recorded in The Lamb's Book of Life.

Answer 6

prototokos? looks like you need to study up on koine greek and hermenuetics