Statement: New Genealogy Since Jesus: A Spiritual Lineage of Faith (05/07/'24)

Statement: New Genealogy Since Jesus: A Spiritual Lineage of Faith Old Testament Genealogies: The genealogies in Genesis, spanning chapters 4, 5, 10, 11, 22, 25, 29–30, 35–36, and 46, chronicle the lineage from Adam to the early Israelites, shaping the book's structure and providing a comprehensive record of humanity's journey. New Testament Transition: The genealogies of Jesus in Matthew (1:16) and Luke (3:23) culminate in Joseph, not as Jesus's biological father but as the final earthly link in the divine lineage. His marriage to Mary connects to traditional ancestry while the conception by the Holy Spirit marks a new spiritual chapter. A New Spiritual Lineage: Jesus's arrival defines a clear distinction between the Old and New Testaments. He introduces a lineage based not on familial ties but on faith. By declaring, "Who is my mother? Who are my brothers and sisters?" Jesus affirms that spiritual kinship transcends earthly heritage. John's Theological Perspective: In John 1:1-2, the genealogy is framed through theology: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God." Jesus, the Word made flesh, establishes a divine genealogy that fulfills God's will and forms the basis of a new spiritual lineage. Pastor Steven G. Lee (May 7, 2024)