Sent: Thursday, January 25, 2007 3:15 PM
Subject: Romans 1
Dear Pastor Vitale,
I listened to the recent message on Romans 1. I have a question about it: In the alternate translation, you said something about Jesus being of the physical sperm of David. This confused me because I thought Jesus was a spiritual descendant of David, not a physical descendant. The reason I thought that was that in Matthew 1, it lists the generations of Jesus, but ends up with Joseph the husband of Mary, meaning that there was actually no physical connection from David to Jesus. Could you please explain this to me when you have time? Thank you.
Love,
XXX
Pastor Vitale's response:
Matthew 1 establishes that there is no physical connection from David to Jesus through Joseph.
The following Scriptures declare that Jesus was made (formed) from the physical seed of David. The Greek word translated seed is Strong’s 4690, sperma:
John 7:42
42 Hath not the scripture said, That Christ cometh of the seed of David, and out of the town of Bethlehem, where David was?
KJV
Rom 1:3
3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
KJV
2 Tim 2:8
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
KJV
According to the Jewish Rabbinate, the genes of one’s ancestry are carried by the female – in this case, Mary. Jesus’ form, His physical body, personality and Carnal Mind, were imparted to Him by Mary, the mother of the human baby, Jesus of Nazareth. This makes sense if we take the time to think about it, because, even in the case where a human father provides the sperm, the child is formed from the flesh and blood of the mother.
The father contributes genes which influence the personality and appearance of the form, but the mother provides the flesh and blood that the form is made of.
Joseph is named in Matt 1:16 and Lk 3:23 for two reasons: 1) He was the supposed father of Jesus, and 2) Joseph performed the role of father to the human child, Jesus, and, thus, imparted his character to him.
Remember, Jesus was the Son of Man, as well as the Son of God. Jesus was fully human with the Son of God dwelling within Himself* prior to the interlacing (crucifixion of) His Old Man to His New Man,** after which He became fully God.***
*John 8:16
16 And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. KJV
**Gal 2:20
20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. KJV
***Eph 2:15
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain [the two] one new man, so making peace [with God]; KJV
John 20:28
28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. KJV
Acts 2:36
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. KJV
God bless you,
Sheila R. Vitale,
Pastor, Teacher & Founder
Living Epistles Ministries
