Celestin Ben Joseph - The Mystery and the Power of the First Element: The Theology of the First-Fruits

The Mystery and The Power of the First Element: The Theology of the First-Fruits

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Copyright 2020 by Rev. Dr. Celestin Ben Joseph & Dr. Ginette Joseph

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ISBN: 978-1-64773-312-4

E-ISBN: 978-1-64773-313-1

Acknowledgement

Our supreme thanks go to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ who has inspired us through the Holy Spirit to write this book on this subject. He strengthens and encourages us from day to day like a good coach who wants his team to win.

We want to thank our three children: Luther, Denardo, and Cassidy for their inspiration on writing the book. Their inputs were very encouraging.

A particular thanks go to the staff of Jacksonville theological Baptist Seminary, specially our teachers: Dr. Raymond VanderWal, Dr. Jimmy Burke, and Dr. Peter Colon, who accepted to write the foreword without hesitation upon mentioning it to him.

Lastly, we want to extend our appreciation toward the members of Bethany Maranatha Baptist church for their prayers, support, and words of encouragements for the last 16 years of shepherding them. We also wish to express our appreciation to Mrs. Ketline Bazile and her staff in the English ministry department, who stimulated our interests to write this book.

Foreword

Without a doubt, the God of the universe, who is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient, desires to be known. It is obvious why God took the initiative to take on incarnation, be born of a woman, bear the savior name of Jesus, walk among men, and ultimately redeem humanity through His death, burial, and glorious resurrection.

Every good gift we have has come from God, and He wants to give us pleasures forevermore. In gratitude for all the Lord has done and continues to do for us, writers Pastor Celestin Ben Joseph and his wife Ginette, have written a book sharing the importance of knowing God and Jesus Christ as a means of truly serving Him in all facets of life. Together they uniquely present the principle of understanding fully the concept of what it means to be First-born in the eternal program of God. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the honor both now and on that eternal day (2 Peter 3:18).

Throughout history, many have recognized the great gift of Gods Word. It alone strengthens and sustains believers in growing and deepening their relationship with their Lord Jesus Christ. Yet, the Word of God has been attacked, scrutinized, and persecuted. It remains, despite all forms of opposition. Some refuse to read it simply because they assume that a book 2,000 years old must be outdated and irrelevant. The authors seek to challenge its readers to dare read the Word, but more importantly, obey its truths to know Gods will and blessings beyond measure. They contend that Gods Word is relevant and shows the true way of offering the praise of first fruits unto almighty God. The centerpiece of all praise and service to God is knowing Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. But it also means considering becoming or realizing that we are offerings as living sacrifices. This clears the path to allow God to use us however he chooses. He alone sets our course as we follow in total obedience to the honor of God.

Some of the theological issues covered for consideration is the Holiness of God, His attribute of sovereignty, the call for total separation to God, and his personal agenda for each follower as a testimony to a sin-stricken world. The theologian J. I. Packer commented, Theres a difference between knowing God and knowing about God. When you truly know God, you have energy to serve Him, boldness to share Him, and contentment in Him. This book is written from the heartfelt perspective of the authors. It is a clarion call for believers to get serious about their personal relationship to the Lord. The challenge is to give everything first to the safety and care of the Lord. In reading the book, you sense the love and passion for Jesus Christ. Their passionate desire is for others to experience the same committed joy in walking with the Lord. Only then, as presented by the authors, does true godliness manifest itself to the world, ever watching until Jesus imminent return. To God be all the glory.

Dr. Peter Colon

Jacksonville Baptist Theological Seminary

The Mystery And The Power Of The First Element

The Theology of the First-Fruits

Introduction

How can many people, including Gods people, miss this important truth? Jesus has the reason to praise God the Father for revealing His will to the disciples, saying, I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children (Luke 10:21, NIV). In his book called, All the Doctrines of the Bible, Dr. Herbert Lockyer wrote,

The prophecies and promises of the manifestation of Christ as the Redeemer-Messiah are interwoven in Old Testament Scriptures from the first promise of Him given to Adam (Genesis 3:15), right on to the last promise of His ultimate glory as the Sun of Righteousness (Malachi 4:2). The Jewish mind was prepared for the manifestation of Him as the One who would come from the tribe of Judah, in all Gods revelation to, and dealings with His chosen people. In the provision of prophet, priest and king there was the foregleam of the Coming One who would combine all three offices in His life and labors as we shall presently see.