Definition: Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this incredibly important verse from Acts 2:30. It’s a really rich and complex idea, so we'll take it step-by-step. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: “Therefore being a prophet…” – This means that the person speaking or writing this verse was already known as a prophet. A prophet is someone who speaks on behalf of God and shares His message, often about future events. Think of them as messengers. “…and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh…” – This is the really significant part. "Fruit of his loins" is a fancy way of saying “His physical body.” God made a special promise to Him – a powerful oath – that He would create a human being who would be with Him. The “fruit” refers to His physical body, and this promise was binding . “…he would raise up Christ…” – This is the core of the verse. God has decided to bring about the creation of Jesus Christ! He’s choosing to create a human being who will be his Son. "...to sit on his throne." - This isn't just about having a son; it's about being with God and ruling over His people. It speaks of the ultimate authority, leadership, and presence of Jesus Christ. In essence, this verse describes God’s plan to create a human being – Jesus Christ – who will be King and rule alongside Him. It’s a foundational promise about the beginning of salvation and the establishment of God's kingdom. Important Context: This is part of a larger story in the Bible that speaks about God’s relationship with humanity and His plan for redemption. It’s a key point in understanding how Jesus became God’s Son and, ultimately, why He came to earth. --- To help me explain it even better and answer any specific questions you might have, could you tell me: What specifically are you curious about? (e.g., Do you want a simpler explanation? Are you wondering about the symbolism? Are you interested in how this relates to other Bible stories?)