Why do we say that Jews are our elder brothers?

[Archedreamer]

Why do we say this? It is because they are something like the Sons with the Birthright?

I know that they are not the only accepted by God… but they have any primacy?

 

[NotWorthy]

They are the first-born children of God.

But that does not give them any primacy, whatsoever. We are considered adopted children of God, although “adopted” implies a 2nd-class sonship, which is also incorrect.

But, in any even, because is called by God, “His Firstborn”, we should naturally consider them are older brothers.

 

[bmullins]

We are both born from the same God and the same Word. So we are brothers in that sense.

As to Primacy, the first born does not get the primacy in most cases in the bible. If we follow the parable of the prodigal son, the son who remained home and followed the law did not lose his birthright, he was just reminded that the other son who had just found his way home was just as important.

"But he answered his father, “Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.”

The fathers response in the parable is particularly telling:

“But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.”

The Gentiles were lost to the family of God. God didn’t say he rejected the first brother and chose the second. He said both should celebrate.

Rightly though, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the father is talking about the Gentiles and Jews, but as to the state of man accepting God in his heart.

The other thing to consider is that the Apostles were set up as the new 12 members of the covenant. So in a way, spiritual Israel is now not Jewish, but encompasses all mankind. So we are the same family, our Messiah is their Messiah, but we all have to accept him.

 

[DihydrogenOxide]

A term of respect, more than anything.

 

[prodigalson2011]

We call them our elder brothers IN THE FAITH, for the obvious reason of no Judaism = no Jesus. The Jewish tradition is a necessary precursor to Christianity. We arte united in faith in the one true God, but their tradition dates back further. Hence, while we can look at each other as spiritual brothers, they are clearly the “elder.”

 

[nickybr38]

We are both born from the same God and the same Word. So we are brothers in that sense.

As to Primacy, the first born does not get the primacy in most cases in the bible. If we follow the parable of the prodigal son, the son who remained home and followed the law did not lose his birthright, he was just reminded that the other son who had just found his way home was just as important.

"But he answered his father, “Behold, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed a commandment of yours, but you never gave me a goat, that I might celebrate with my friends. But when this, your son, came, who has devoured your living with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.”

The fathers response in the parable is particularly telling:

“But it was appropriate to celebrate and be glad, for this, your brother, was dead, and is alive again. He was lost, and is found.”

The Gentiles were lost to the family of God. God didn’t say he rejected the first brother and chose the second. He said both should celebrate.

Rightly though, that doesn’t necessarily mean that the father is talking about the Gentiles and Jews, but as to the state of man accepting God in his heart.

The other thing to consider is that the Apostles were set up as the new 12 members of the covenant. So in a way, spiritual Israel is now not Jewish, but encompasses all mankind. So we are the same family, our Messiah is their Messiah, but we all have to accept him.

I had never considered this! But you’re right… the firstborn often lost his birthright due to transgressions… Interesting.

I am frequently boggled by how everything ties together and how life mirrors Scripture.

 

[bmullins]

I had never considered this! But you’re right… the firstborn often lost his birthright due to transgressions… Interesting.

I am frequently boggled by how everything ties together and how life mirrors Scripture.

Now think of Adam as the firstborn, and the New Adam (Jesus). Lots of that to think about.

The first Adam lost his perfect creation, because of transgression. The New Adam Jesus redeemed it.

 

[nickybr38]

Now think of Adam as the firstborn, and the New Adam (Jesus). Lots of that to think about.

The first Adam lost his perfect creation, because of transgression. The New Adam Jesus redeemed it.

The first Eve took the apple, Mary, the second Eve, was obedient.

 

[bmullins]

The first Eve took the apple, Mary, the second Eve, was obedient.

And the first Eve gave birth to her firstborn son, Cain, a hateful spiteful man who ignored God’s will and brought death to his brother. The second Eve gave birth to her firstborn son, who brought life to his brother(s).

 

[Archedreamer]

It could be just a name and nothing more? I think that it is inauthentic to say something just as a tittle.

When a Jew argues that the Son of God was not Jesus - God but any Prophet or any King they name the things but don’t consider that the Son of God can be a real (and not just a nominal) Son of God. That is the same thing they do which most of our arguments to be Christians. But we think that the Law, the Salvation, the Sonship of God… must be real (deep) and not only superficial (nominal) things… We cannot say that a Birthright is only a name… it must be real, it doesn’t?

Have not the Jews something spetial between all the other nations? Paul said at his Epistle to Romans “If the aversion of Jews led to the conversion of the Gentiles, how great will be the thing that the conversion of the Jews will led to?” (not literraly extract).
Jesus did not preach over Israel (tough he saw better things within Gentiles)…

I don’t want to say that Judaism is more than Christianity nor Jew are the only who have a right nor the light of the Nations nor someone else… I just wan’t to say… a Jew converted to Christianity… he would have a deeper religiousity… since the Promisses were at the first moment for Israel (though it would be for Everyone).

It is possible? I have talked the same thing with my professor of Philosophy… he is like me a lover of the study of the national genius… I argued that it could be their deep spiritual philogenia that could led Jews to animate Philosophy and Littearute respectively at Germany and Russia… he didn’t agree… but maybe because he thought that I wanted to apologize Judaism doing that… I don’t want to say that Judaism is more than Christianity… but is not the Jew people more called than the anothers to enter into Christianity?
A converted Jew would be like this prospectively more spiritual than someone else…

 

[nickybr38]

And the first Eve gave birth to her firstborn son, Cain, a hateful spiteful man who ignored God’s will and brought death to his brother. The second Eve gave birth to her firstborn son, who brought life to his brother(s).

Love it. <3 Love how it all ties up and all the mistakes of the past are corrected.

 

[bmullins]

A converted Jew would be like this prospectively more spiritual than someone else…

It seems as if you are saying because of their knowledge and relationship to God they have a leg up. That would only seem to apply if our choice to come to God were simply based on rational thought, and understanding. In that case I’m sure a Jewish person might indeed have a deeper understanding of why we believe what we believe. At the same time, the very fact that they have the Jewish faith written in their Oral Tradition, makes it even more difficult for many to see the Christian faith for what it is.

In the end God calls all men, and it is by his leading that we believe. Faith is a gift from him, not something we earn on our own. Yes we choose to come, but only after being called. So to me, we are all on equal spiritual standing, no matter what our background. Now what we do with our faith after receiving it, that changes things IMO.

Mother Theresa is a much better person than I am. I don’t think God sees me on that level, though he still sees me as his Son. Not necessarily playing favorites, but at the same time if he did love her more… I would not be offended, I’d just be happy he even loved me.

 

[Archedreamer]

It seems as if you are saying because of their knowledge and relationship to God they have a leg up. That would only seem to apply if our choice to come to God were simply based on rational thought, and understanding. In that case I’m sure a Jewish person might indeed have a deeper understanding of why we believe what we believe. At the same time, the very fact that they have the Jewish faith written in their Oral Tradition, makes it even more difficult for many to see the Christian faith for what it is.

In the end God calls all men, and it is by his leading that we believe. Faith is a gift from him, not something we earn on our own. Yes we choose to come, but only after being called. So to me, we are all on equal spiritual standing, no matter what our background. Now what we do with our faith after receiving it, that changes things IMO.

Mother Theresa is a much better person than I am. I don’t think God sees me on that level, though he still sees me as his Son. Not necessarily playing favorites, but at the same time if he did love her more… I would not be offended, I’d just be happy he even loved me.

I want not to do too Judaizing nor say that it is something from the Jews the more spiritual condition that their Nationhood could give to them… I have come from Protestantism… don’t care much! =)
But as a Priest who knows Theology, Canonic Law… is better that me to make a religious service… are not the Jews, due to their Nationhood… better than the other christian Groups to make a Christian service?
(Always being Jews Christians, always belonging to the Church and not being outside).