Question: "What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)?"
Answer:
Jesus is described as the author and perfecter, or finisher, of our faith in Hebrews 12:2. An author is an originator or creator, as of a theory or plan. The Greek word translated “author” in Hebrews 12:2 can also mean “captain,” “chief leader” or “prince.” Acts 3:15
uses the same word: “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath
raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses” (KJV), while the NIV and
ESV use the word “author” instead of “prince.” From this we can deduce
that Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it, as well
as the captain and prince or our faith. This indicates that Jesus
controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and presides
over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his
people.
The Greek word translated “perfecter” in Hebrews 12:2
appears only this one time in the New Testament. It means literally
“completer” or “finisher” and speaks of bringing something to its
conclusion. Putting the two words together, we see that Jesus, as God,
both creates and sustains our faith. We know that saving faith is a gift
from God, not something we come up with on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9),
and that gift comes from Christ, its creator. He is also the sustainer
of our faith, meaning that true saving faith cannot be lost, taken away
or given away. This is a source of great comfort to believers,
especially in times of doubt and spiritual struggles. Christ has created
our faith and He will watch over it, care for it, and sustain it.
It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the
creator and sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer
of our daily walk and the finisher of our spiritual journey. For if God
in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the
finisher and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit's indwelling
power, then we are neither born again nor are we a true follower of
Christ. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you
will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In him you
also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation,
and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is
the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to
the praise of his glory” (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13-14).
0 comments: