The Son of God with power part 1

David was made the Firstborn by Jehovah God. How was this? In context, it was Jehovah exalting and anointing David as king of Israel that made David the Firstborn of Jehovah (verses 19, 20 and 27).

The Hebrew word for firstborn is "bkowr" (strongs 1060) and means "chief, eldest son, firstborn"

Obviously in this context firstborn means "chief" in a literal sense and "eldest son" in a spiritual sense. Firstborn doesn't mean that David was literally Jehovah's firstborn son. With this understanding in mind we can better understand Colossians 1:15 where it calls Jehoshua the Firstborn of creation. I'll touch on this below:

Psalm 89:18-29 (DNKJB)

18 For the JEHOVAH is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:21With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.27 Also I Will MAKE HIM MY FIRSTBORN, higher than the kings of the earth.28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

Colossians 1:12-19 (KJV)

12Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:13Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:14In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:15Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:16For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:17And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.18And 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.19For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;

In verse 15, Jehoshua is called the Firstborn of all creation. What does this mean? Well if we go back to Psalm 89 we will get the proper understanding of this title used for Jehoshua.

The greek word for firstborn is "prototokos" (Strongs 4416) and means "firstborn, (literally or figuratively), firstbegotten".

Note the word "figuratively"

In verses 12 and 13 of Colossians 1 Paul says that we have been translated from the devils kingdom into the Kingdom of God's dear Son which is a Kingdom of light. What was the vehicle that allowed us entrance into the Son's Kingdom? His death on the stake as we see in verse 14 "redemption through His blood". It's right after this passage that says that Jehoshua is the Firstborn of creation. In context this doesn't denote Him being literally born before everything was created but rather that His resurrection from the dead was the vehicle that initiated His Kingdom hence "firstborn". It was His death on the stake and subsequent resurrection which resulted in Him triumphing over the powers and principalities of darkness as stated in Colossians 2:15:

"And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it."

What does this have to do with Jehoshua being called the firstborn of creation? Because in verse 18 it says:

"18And 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."

Here we have the answer, Jehoshua being called the firstborn is in reference to the preeminence He has due to being the Firstborn from the dead. Remember in Psalm 89 David was called the Firstborn of Jehovah due to being anointed as the king of Israel. Well, what was the result of the death and resurrection of Messiah?

He was anointed as the King of Israel. Let's go to Hebrews 1 to witness the anointing of our God and King Jehoshua.

Hebrews 1:5-9 (KJV)

5For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him.7And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom.9Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

Many attribute verses 5-6 to an eternal begetting of Jehoshua but lets go to Psalm 2 to get a better understanding of what these two verses really mean:

Psalm 2:6-8 (KJV)

6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.7I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

This Psalm is about David and also Solomon but ultimately finds perfect fulfillment in Jehoshua as a prophecy. The words "this day I begotten thee" denote a begetting in time not eternity. Also, the begetting and declaration of Sonship is in connection with the anointing of David and later Solomon as King of Zion, of course being ultimately fulfilled in Messiah Jehoshua. What makes Jehoshua unique is that He was Jehovah's uniquely begotten Son prior to His enthronement as King of Israel.

So begotten in this passage of Psalms has nothing to do with literal birthing but rather being anointed as King. We can prove this in the new testament by the words of Paul the apostle in Romans chapter 1:

1Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,2Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)3Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;4And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:

Do you see this, Jehoshua was declared to the Son of God by the resurrection from the dead hence first begotten from the dead. If we go back to Psalm 2 it is the anointing of David and Solomon in which they are declared to be begotten and hence Sons of God. It was Jehoshua's resurrection that was the vehicle that led to His enthronement as King of Israel.

For proof of this let's go to Acts 2 and the words of Peter:

Acts 2:30-36 (KJV)

30Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;31He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.32This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.33Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.34For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,35Until I make thy foes thy footstool.36Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Peter connects the resurrection of Jehoshua with Him being exalted at the right hand of Jehovah God and enthroned on the throne of David. Remember, Colossians 1:18 says that Jehoshua was the first begotten from the dead   and Romans 1:1-4 says Jehoshua was declared to be the Son of God by the spirit of holiness. Remember, the term begotten in Psalm 2 that is qouted in Hebrews 1 is in reference to David and later Solomon being anointed as King of Israel. Also, it's a prophecy of Messiah's resurrection and subsequent enthronement as King of Israel. Peter and Paul both connect this begetting with Messiah's resurrection not an eternal begetting in heaven.

In verse 34, Psalm 110:1 is qouted proving it as a prophetic verse applying to Jehoshua being exalted to the right hand of Jehovah God as King of Israel. This happened after Jehoshua's ascension. In verse 36, Peter tells the crowd that Jehovah God made Jehoshua Messiah and Lord, this is a key verse to understand. This means that Jehoshua wasn't born anointed as the Messiah but that at some point in His earthly life He was made Messiah. This was at His baptism where some ancient texts render Matthew 3:17 & Luke 2:33 as:

 "Justin then goes on to explain to Trypho the Jew-- once more obviously quoting the original form of Matthew 3:17 and Luke 3:22: "For this devil, when [Jesus] went up from the river Jordan, at the time when the voice spake to Him, “Thou art my Son: this day have I begotten Thee,” is recorded in the memoirs of the apostles to have come to Him and tempted Him, even so far as to say to Him, “Worship me;” and Christ answered him, “Get thee behind me, Satan: thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Id., ch. CII.)   Others who found the same passage in Matthew are Juvencus, Evangeliorum Libri Quattor, I 360-64 and Hilary, De Trinitate, VIII, 25, Tyconius, Reg. 1

In the Hebrew Matthew, there are two variants to the baptismal account which are different from the Greek text tradition.  The first adds "today I have begotten thee."  After saying many things, this Gospel continues: “After the people were baptized, Jesus also came and was baptized by John. And as Jesus came up from the water, Heaven was opened, and He saw the Holy Spirit descend in the form of a dove and enter into Him. And a voice from Heaven said, ‘You are my beloved Son; with You I am well pleased.’ And again, ‘Today I have begotten You.’ “Immediately a great light shone around the place; and John, seeing it, said to Him, ‘Who are you, Lord? And again a voice from Heaven said, ‘This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’ Then John, falling down before Him, said, ‘I beseech You, Lord, baptize me!’ But He forbade him saying, ‘Let it be so; for thus it is fitting that all things be fulfilled.’” (Epiphanius, Panarion 30.13.7) [see Wikipedia - Authentic Gospel Of Matthew]"

Luke 4:1 (KJV)

1And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost returned from Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the wilderness,

This passage in Luke 4:1 is right after Jehoshua's baptism showing that He received the fullness of the Holy Spirit at His baptism which is when Jehoshua was anointed as the Messiah. The ancient accounts of Jehoshua's baptism say that the Holy Spirit entered into Him rather than upon Him. This leads to the truth that Jehoshua was anointed as Messiah at this time.

Luke 2:25-26 (KJV)

25And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.26And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ.

Jehoshua was predestined by God as Messiah from before the foundation of the world as we see here that He is called the Lord's (Jehovah) Christ i.e. Messiah even as a baby. However is anointing as Messiah came at His baptism. Either way, it is Jehovah that made Him Messiah.

He was also made "Lord". This proves that the title "Lord" as applied to Jehoshua in this case is not the divine name "Jehovah" or meaning "God Almighty" but rather a title signifying Sovereignty, Lordship, Master and Kingship. Obviously no one gets made Jehovah or God Almighty.

Jehoshua was made Lord at His baptism as we see Him being called that after this took place. He was given Lordship over the House of Israel, however in a grander sense He was made Lord at His ascension and exaltation as King (Hebrews 1). Obviously Jehovah predestined Jehoshua as Lord before the foundation of the world, however Jehoshua was made Lord by the Father.

The word "made" comes from the Greek word "poieo" (strongs 4160) and means "ordain, perform appoint, give".

The teaching that Jehoshua as God Almighty simply volunteered Himself to take on the roles of Messiah and Lord of Israel is unfounded, the bible clearly teaches that God the Father predestined and made (appointed, ordained) Him as these things (Lord and Messiah).

Psalm 110:1 (ASV)

1Jehovah saith unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, Until I make thine enemies thy footstool.

This is the verse that Peter quoted in verse 34 of Acts 2. This is a prophetic vision of David that Peter says was fulfilled as a result of Jehoshua's resurrection (Acts 2:32-33).  Hebrews 1 is the fulfillment of David's vision. The Jehovah in this text is the Father speaking to His Son who is referenced as Lord which is not a title of deity as the Hebrew word for this rendering of Lord is "Addown" rather than "Adonai". Addown (strongs 113) is never used as a title of deity in the old testament. Pronounced "aw-done" it means "sovereign, i.e. controller (human or divine): lord, master, owner. This is the same meaning as "Lord" as applied to Jehoshua in the new testament. This verse is not one God Almighty speaking to another God Almighty but rather Jehovah God speaking to His Son the Messiah who He (the Father) made Lord (Sovereign) over the House of Israel.

Psalm Chapter 2:1-8 (DNKJB)

1Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the JEHOVAH, and against his anointed, saying,3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: JEHOVAH shall have them in derision.5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.6Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.7I will declare the decree: JEHOVAH hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.8Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

This has an immediate application to king David but it is ultimately a prophecy of Jehoshua. In verse 2, Jehoshua is prophesied as Jehovah's anointed. In verses 6-8 we see the connection with being begotten as God's Son and being anointed as king of Israel. This is not a literal birth but rather a declaration of Sonship in connection with being made King. So one can be begotten of God without an eternal begetting in heaven or even a literal birth out of a woman's womb.

Acts 13:33 (KJV)

33God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again; as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.

Jehoshua being begotten by the Father is also attributed to His resurrection from the dead. This verse right here disproves the false teaching that Jehoshua's soul upon death went to heaven. To be begotten in this sense denotes coming to life. You can't come to life if you aren't really dead. The word "begotten" comes from the Greek word "gennao" (strongs 1080) and means "figuratively, to regenerate: - bear, beget, be born, bring forth, conceive, be delivered of, gender, make, spring.

Jehoshua was begotten (born, brought forth, regenerated) from the dead. This exposes the false trinitarian doctrine of Jehoshua not really dying and that His soul went to heaven. Notice that the meaning of begotten can also be used figuratively which it is used when it is spoken in terms of being anointed as King of Israel in Psalm 2 and Hebrews 1.