Hi neophyte,
Many thanks for answering the question.
My Bible does not say 'believers enjoy the firstfruits'. Tyndale says we 'mourn'!!!
It says certain believers are 'the firstfruits', and, Christ is the firstfruits from the dead - 1 Cor 15:20, 23.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
I would also challenge this statement: 'the Spirit, is a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self', because it sounds as if whoever wrote it believes we can have the Spirit without agreeing to receive the death of 'the rebellious old self' In fact, 'old self' is completely inadequate to describe the total death of the sin which entered Adam, of which we may become partakers through faith in Christ's victory, His blood, His death and His resurrection. Then, we receive new life. That's where the Spirit comes in.
Many thanks for answering the question.
My Bible does not say 'believers enjoy the firstfruits'. Tyndale says we 'mourn'!!!
It says certain believers are 'the firstfruits', and, Christ is the firstfruits from the dead - 1 Cor 15:20, 23.
Romans 8:23 And not only [they], but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, [to wit], the redemption of our body.
I would also challenge this statement: 'the Spirit, is a guarantee of the total liberation of their bodies from the influence of the rebellious old self', because it sounds as if whoever wrote it believes we can have the Spirit without agreeing to receive the death of 'the rebellious old self' In fact, 'old self' is completely inadequate to describe the total death of the sin which entered Adam, of which we may become partakers through faith in Christ's victory, His blood, His death and His resurrection. Then, we receive new life. That's where the Spirit comes in.
