The Hebrew people, in acknowledgement of their God, YAHWEH (the one True God), offered the “first-fruits” offerings in gratitude and thankfulness in accordance with His abundant, plentiful provisions. According to Exodus 23:19; Numbers 15:20; 18:12; Deuteronomy 26:2; and Nehemiah 10:35; 10:37, these offerings were to include everything that was produced from their land or that was sustained as a result of the land. Items like grain and fruit were offered in their natural state, while others were prepared for consumption like musk, oil, flour, dough, etc.
You shall bring the very first of the first fruits of your soil into the house of the Lord your God. — Exodus 34:26
The concept of “first-fruits” is also applied figuratively throughout the scriptures as well. In Jeremiah 2:3, Israel is called “re’shith” the “first-fruit” of His harvest in the original Hebrew text. Our New Testament employs the Greek word “aparche” translated “first-fruit” which is applied figuratively to several biblical/theological concepts.
Paul uses this word in Romans 16:5 concerning new believers, “Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert (“aparcheé” — “first-fruit”) to Christ from Asia.” The same is true concerning the household of Stephanas as the first believers from Achaia in I Corinthians 16:15.
In James 1:18 we find a reference to the first generation of Christian believers:
In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits (aparcheén) among His creatures.
A similar reference is made concerning Christ’s church in Thessalonica …
But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning (aparcheén) for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. — II Thessalonians 2:13
The 144,000 Jewish witnesses raised up to testify concerning Christ’s Gospel in the last days during the tribulation are deemed “first-fruits” in Revelation 14:4-5:
These are the ones who have not been defiled with women, for they have kept themselves chaste. These are the ones who follow the Lamb wherever He goes. These have been purchased from among men as first fruits (aparcheé) to God and to the Lamb. And no lie was found in their mouth; they are blameless.
Consider Romans 8:23:
And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits (aparcheén) of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.
In this passage, early Christians are depicted as the “first-fruits” of those that have been blessed and endowed with the unique incomparable gift of God’s Holy Spirit.
These selected verses all represent figurative uses of “first-fruits” in the biblical text. However, one of the most significant utilizations is found in I Corinthians 15:20-25 …
But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits (aparcheé) of those who are asleep. For since by a man came death, by a man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits (aparcheé), after that those who are Christ’s at His coming, then comes the end, when He hands over the kingdom to the God and Father, when He has abolished all rule and all authority and power.
Christ is the “first-fruit” of the resurrection! This precise application documents several theological/spiritual truths/perspectives/concepts.
1. There is resurrection of the dead, of which Christ is the first.
2. Just as humanity brought death into the world, Jesus Christ, the man/human being, brings life and resurrection.
3. The declaration “first-fruit” implies, in fact demands, the existence of a coming harvest, a gathering/bringing in of all that’s been produced.
4. While we, as believers are not “first-fruits,” we are part of the guaranteed harvest that follows (which is to come)!
As we quickly approach our Good Friday Communion Service and Resurrection (Easter) Sunday celebration, let us never forget the almost indescribable promise brought by “first-fruit”!
— His & Yours, Pastor Frank