Acts 3:14 But ye denied the Holy One
and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom
God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.
This phrase “the Prince of life”
only appears here in the Bible. The Apostle Peter, who spoke these
words, was preaching to thousands of unbelieving Jews in the
Jerusalem Temple. Peter's words were powerful, direct, and impromptu.
When someone speaks off the cuff like
this the hearers usually get a clearer glimpse of the personality and
raw beliefs of the person behind the words. That was surely the case
that day. Peter's unprepared words give us insight into his core beliefs
which were also the commonly held beliefs of all early Christians.
They believed Jesus was the Prince of Life.
So what is the meaning of the words
Peter chose to describe Jesus? The word “prince” is a beautiful
and unique word. There really isn’t a full English equivalent to
this word. In modern English prince is usually defined as the son of
a king, but that is not in the definition of this word translated
Prince.
The word literally means “furnishing
the first cause”. This is used for a founder or originator, and it
is a word that carries with it the honor of being the first to pass
through or to begin something great.
It is translated in Hebrews 2:10 with
the word “captain” in the phrase, “captain of our salvation.”
He is the chief leader of all the saved and the originator of their
salvation. It is translated in Hebrews 12:2 with the word “author”
in the phrase, “author and finisher of our faith.” There would be
no saving faith if Jesus had not come and secured our salvation. He
furnished the first cause of our saving faith.
By using this phrase Peter declared
that Jesus is the originator, the author of life. But he wasn't just
crediting Jesus with the creation of the world. Peter was giving the
honor to Jesus of being the first to pass though the front lines of
death coming out on the other side as the Victor. He defeated death
and through this victory gives life everlasting! He is the leader of
a great army of victors who shall also pass through death into
everlasting life because they have trusted their eternal souls into
His Gospel care. He Is The Prince Of Life!
Amen!
ReplyDeleteI was just looking at this word in a different context. It has a close affinity to the Latin word Auctor. I found this definition online:
One who enlarges, confirms, or gives a thing its completeness and efficient form; originator of or leader in an enterprise; source of or warrant for a piece of information; a backer, supporter, approver, surety
I think there is in it somehow an active leadership too. He is not the Prince of Life passively or by appointment at a distance, but actively leading, being out in front giving it completeness and efficient form!
thank you again
It is an powerful word, and I appreciate your enlargement. I think your last paragraph zeroed in on an important shade of meaning in the usage of the word. Thanks for your input,
ReplyDeleteLarry