Question #2 – How was Jesus the “seed” of promise?
Another question the FOG adherents cannot answer is how Jesus can be the “promised seed” while not being of man. This is especially difficult for them since, from Genesis to Revelation, the Bible speaks about one master plan of which Jesus is the focus (see John 5:39). This plan was in the mind of God before Creation (See Revelation 13:8; Ephesians 1:4; Titus 1:2; 1 Peter 1:19-20). Between Adam and Eve’s rebellion and the pronouncement of judgment for their sin, God spoke of a promised “seed” that would come to deliver men and women from their sin. This promise is found in Genesis 3:15, which also happens to be the first prophecy that spoke of the (then) coming Messiah.
Genesis 3:15 And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
To show how this verse speaks of the promised “seed,” I will add a few words in [brackets].
Genesis 3:15 And I [God] will put enmity between thee [
This was a promise that sinners would someday receive the opportunity of spiritual restoration. God chose Abraham to be a key part in bringing forth that promise through what is called a “seed.”
Genesis 22:18 And IN THY SEED shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
How we know this “seed” speaks of Jesus is evidenced in Paul’s writings.
Galatians 3:16 Now to ABRAHAM and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And TO THY SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST.
“THY SEED,” would be from the “physical lineage” or “sperma” (G4690) of both Adam and of Abraham. For Jesus to have fulfilled these, He had to have been from the physical lineage of a woman of the lineage of both Eve and Sarah. If Jesus was not of Adam’s or of Abraham’s biological lineage, then He could not have been the true “seed” these men were promised. (For more about this “seed,” see: Question 1 – How was Jesus the “seed” of David?)
The Bible clearly declares that Jesus is the only true and legitimate heir of the promises to Abraham. Through Jesus, the scriptures show, the members of Jesus’ body (the Church) are included in this same promised inheritance.
Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. [7] Know ye therefore that THEY WHICH ARE OF FAITH, THE SAME ARE THE CHILDREN OF ABRAHAM. [8] And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. [9] So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
Galatians 3:29 And IF YE BE CHRIST’S, THEN ARE YE ABRAHAM’S SEED, AND HEIRS ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE.
These define what Paul meant by “the election hath obtained it,” for they show “they which are of faith,” are the remnant of Israel. This remnant and believing Gentiles together make up the “body of Christ” (see Romans 11:7; Galatians 3:9; Ephesians 3:6).
God said Abraham would be the father of “many nations” (See Genesis 17:4). “Nations” is the Hebrew word “Goy.” Strong’s Concordance defines this as a:
“foreign nation; hence a Gentile, heathen, nation, people”
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries (H1471)
As we see this promise come to pass in the New Testament, we see that it included Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. This is what Jesus’ sealing of the vision and the prophecy did (see Daniel 9:24), it allowed access to the Kingdom of God for both the Jews (Acts 2), Samaritans (Acts 8), and to the Gentiles (Acts 10). Jesus referred to these Goy in Matthew 28:19, for there He said to teach and baptize “all nations.” The word “nations” is “eth’-nos,” which is similarly defined as follows:
“A race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by implication pagan): – Gentile, heathen, nation, people”
Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries (G1484)
Jesus was literally removing racism by saying this because, after the cross, all peoples were of the same race in God’s eyes (see Colossians 3:11), all suffered the same problem of sin (see Romans 11:32), and all were given the same offer of grace for salvation through Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:16).
If you believe the gospel of Jesus Christ is the only message of salvation for men and women (this includes all Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles), then you must believe that Jesus Christ and His Church is the true Israel of God. Remember, Israel was a promise that applied to ALL MEN (see Genesis 3:15); it was a sustained through Abraham when he was promised to be the father of “MANY NATIONS” (see Genesis 17:4).
Just think of all this promised “seed” from Genesis 3:15 now entails… Jesus is the “True Israel” of God (see Romans 9:6-8), as well as the “True Circumcision (see Philippians 3:3), the “True Seed of Abraham” (see Galatians 3:7, 29), and the “True Jew” (see Romans 2:28). The true message of Jesus Christ was His whole gospel to His whole world…i.e. Jew, Samaritan, and Gentile. This message being offered to men and women of all races is the inheritance and hope that God promised Abraham (see Romans 8:15-17; Galatians 3:14, Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 3:3-6; Colossians 1:26-27). Paul relates this truth when he says:
Galatians 3:29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise”
(also see Mark 16:15; Luke 26:46-49; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:6, Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11).
The writer of Hebrews explains that Abraham looked, not for a Canaan that was a physical land, but rather for one that was spiritual:
Hebrews 11:16 But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
(also see Matthew 25:34; John 8:56-58; Acts 3:18-26, Acts 13:26; Romans 4:1-25, Romans 9:1-33; Galatians 3:6-29, Galatians 4:22-31; Hebrews 11:8-16).
The need for Jesus to die for the sins of all mankind was first prophesied to Adam and Eve. The Bible then said this promise can only come through the “seed” of Abraham. This rule limited this fulfillment to a Messiah that would be of the physical lineage of Abraham. Thankfully, the Bible gives evidence that Jesus did meet this test, and because He did, through the power of Jesus name, men and women can now enter into the Promised Land that Abraham looked for.
Note: Any UPPERCASE, bold, or [bracket] areas in Scripture is added for emphasis.
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The next part of this study will explore question #3: How was Jesus called “man”?