In 1 Corinthians 5:8, "Let us keep the feast," is the reference to the Lord’s Supper, or is it using the feast of unleavened bread as the background?
The answer lies in the second part of the question. To understand the statement, "let us keep feast," we need to be aware of the context and background of its setting.
A very serious moral problem had come to light in the Corinthian assembly which warranted excommunication of the individual involved from the company. "Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person" (1Cor 5:13). Paul’s instruction is also defined in the words, "purge out therefore the old leaven that ye may be a new lump as ye are unleavened" (v7).
This obviously refers to the Jewish feast of unleavened bread which lasted for seven days (Exo 12:15). During this time, no leaven would be seen in an Israelite’s home. In addition to this, Paul says "Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us" (v7). These references clearly indicate that the complete Passover and feast of unleavened bread are in view and form the background to the teaching of this part of 1 Corinthians 5.
It follows, then, that the consistent life of the believer who lives in the age of grace can be defined as being under the keeping of "festival" or "holy day," and is marked by godliness being sustained by the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. See W. E. Vine’s New Testament Words comment under Strong’s #G1858, "let us keep the feast." "This is not the Lord’s Supper, nor the Passover, but has reference to the continuous life of the believer as a festival or holy day" (see KJV margin), not living in malice and wickedness, but marked by sincerity and truth.
How important, then, to apply this challenging principle to ourselves, illustrating the demand for holiness in a practical way in every facet of our lives as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ. "Be ye holy for I am holy" (1Peter 1:16).
Today, many have little concept of what the Lord demands in the personal and public spheres in the life of a Christian. God help us to keep ourselves pure and unspotted from a careless, corrupt, and carnal world until the Lord returns to call us home.
-Stan Wells
What does Colossians 1:15 mean when it refers to Christ as "firstborn"? Some sects say this means He was the first created being.
The term "firstborn" is used in seven contexts in the New Testament in relation to our Lord Jesus Christ. In both Matthew 1:25 and Luke 2:7 He is called the firstborn of Mary; "her firstborn son." The word is used there in reference to His incarnation. In Colossians 1:15 it is used in His relationship to creation. In Colossians 1:18 and in Revelation 1:5 it is linked to His resurrection. In Romans 8:29 it is linked to His glorification, and in Hebrews 1:6 to His future manifestation.
The word "firstborn" (Strong’s #G4416), denotes honor, rank, and dignity. It is used in the Septuagint in Psalm 89:27 in reference to David. We know that David was not Jesse’s firstborn son, yet this is the place of rank and honor that God accorded him. The reference in this Psalm clearly goes beyond David, and anticipates the millennial reign of the Lord Jesus. The principle of the firstborn’s privileges being given to another is also illustrated in 1 Chronicles 5:1-2; Joseph was not Jacob’s firstborn, however, because of Reuben’s sin Joseph was accorded rank and honor which were not his through order of birth.
In Colossians 1:15a, we learn what Christ is in relation to God. He is the representation and manifestation of the invisible God. Part b of this text tells us what He is in relationship to all creation. This text has been used to propagate error in regard to the person of the Lord Jesus. It is contended that He Himself is a creature, possibly even the chief being, created by God. This is not only unscriptural but is totally anti-Biblical. The New Testament teaching is very clear: the person described in Colossians 1:15 as "firstborn," is uncreated and eternal. The context of Colossians 1:16-17 proves this. Verse 16 makes it clear that all created intelligence in heaven or on earth have their origin in Him. They were created by Him and for Him. This is one of eight Scriptural portions in the New Testament where creation is directly ascribed to the Lord Jesus. The other seven passages are: John 1:3; 10; Romans 11:36; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Ephesians 3:9; and Hebrews 1:2, 10. He is also called "the beginning of the creation of God" in Revelation 3:14. The word "beginning" in that passage is the word "originator or the active cause of all creation."
We are presented in Colossians 1:17 with a timeless statement of our Lord’s eternal preexistence. "And He is," presents to us the eternity of being, possessed by our Lord Jesus. He Himself never had a beginning. He is eternal and possesses all the attributes of absolute Deity.
The teaching of the New Testament presents two aspects to us of the Lord Jesus. He is called both "firstborn" and also "only begotten." When the term firstborn is used, it denotes Christ in relation to others. The term "only begotten" is used of Christ in relation to the Father.
-John Meekin
