“From the Heart” teaching by Drs. Rodney & Adonica Howard-Browne.

As it is written in the Law of the Lord, Every [firstborn] male that opens the womb shall be set apart and dedicated and called holy to the Lord.  Luke 2:23 AMP

In Israel, the true firstborn was the first child, not only of his mother, but also of his father. The firstborn – particularly the male – was considered sacred. He was dedicated and sanctified unto God and the recipient of the birthright – a double-portion of his father’s estate – more than his brothers – and he carried both the physical and spiritual responsibility of the family. In patriarchal times, primogeniture (being the firstborn) gave princedom and priesthood.

And she gave birth to her Son, her Firstborn; and she wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room or place for them in the inn.  Luke 2:7 AMP

For to which of the angels did [God] ever say, You are My Son, today I have begotten You [established You in an official Sonship relation, with kingly dignity]? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He will be to Me a Son? 6 Moreover, when He brings the firstborn Son again into the habitable world, He says, Let all the angels of God worship Him.  Hebrews 1:5-6 AMP

Jesus Christ of Nazareth was the firstborn of His mother, Mary, and His Father, God. Not only was He God’s first-begotten Son, but He was His only-begotten Son as well. He was born to die, offered as a sacrifice, and then powerfully and majestically raised from the dead – the firstborn from the dead! Now He was not the first person raised from physical death, but He was the first raised up from spiritual death. He took our sin upon Himself – He became sin for us – and died with that sin on Him. He took our place, giving up His life and taking our death, so that He could give us His life and we could be raised up with Him at the resurrection. When we believe God’s Word and accept Jesus’ sacrifice, death is turned into life and we are born-again into newness of life; new creations; justified and glorified; made to be kings and priests unto our God!

For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren. 30 And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].  Romans 8:29-30 AMP

[The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 In Whom we have our redemption through His blood, [which means] the forgiveness of our sins. 15[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation. 16 For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created and exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in and for Him. 17 And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together). 18 He also is the Head of [His] body, the church; seeing He is the Beginning, the Firstborn from among the dead, so that He alone in everything and in every respect might occupy the chief place [stand first and be preeminent]. 19 For it has pleased [the Father] that all the divine fullness (the sum total of the divine perfection, powers, and attributes) should dwell in Him permanently. 20 And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross. 21 And although you at one time were estranged and alienated from Him and were of hostile attitude of mind in your wicked activities, 22 Yet now has [Christ, the Messiah] reconciled [you to God] in the body of His flesh through death, in order to present you holy and faultless and irreproachable in His [the Father’s] presence.  Colossians 1:13-22 AMP

The expression “first-born” not only means the first one born, but it can also mean the prime, most excellent, and most distinguished of things. Jesus Christ is not only the first-born of every creature – begotten before creation – but He is the first-born from the dead. Jesus is the Firstborn of many brethren! We are the Church of the Firstborn and we enjoy all the rights and privileges of a firstborn child of God, thanks to Jesus, the Firstborn of creation and Firstborn from the dead!

And to the church (assembly) of the Firstborn who are registered [as citizens] in heaven, and to the God Who is Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous (the redeemed in heaven) who have been made perfect.  Hebrews 12:23 AMP

And from Jesus Christ the faithful and trustworthy Witness, the Firstborn of the dead [first to be brought back to life] and the Prince (Ruler) of the kings of the earth. To Him Who ever loves us and has once [for all] loosed and freed us from our sins by His own blood, 6 And formed us into a kingdom (a royal race), priests to His God and Father–to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion throughout the ages and forever and ever. Amen (so be it).  Revelation 1:5-6 AMP

And You have made them a kingdom (royal race) and priests to our God, and they shall reign [as kings] over the earth!  Revelation 5:10 AMP