This is the first of two lessons considering how we understand the figurative language in God’s Word. You will be reminded of a few rules about figurative language and how God orders things. The Passover Lamb and Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus are examined as examples of trying to properly understand God’s Word.

1. Our Passover Lamb
1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294

2. The next day he saw Jesus coming toward
him, and said,“Behold, the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world!
John 1:29, CB NT p. 162

3. The next day again John was standing with
two of his disciples, and he looked at Jesus
as he walked by and said,“Behold, the
Lamb of God!”
John 1:35-36, CB NT p. 162

4. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been
sacrificed.
1 Corinthians 5:7, CB NT p. 294

5. knowing that you were ransomed from
the futile ways inherited from your
forefathers, not with perishable things
such as silver or gold, but with the
precious blood of Christ, like that of a
lamb without blemish or spot.
1 Peter 1:18-19, CB NT p. 408

6. Figurative Language

7. Figurative Language
Normally, a word should be viewed as literal, unless other
considerations make it impossible to interpret them in that
light.

8. Figurative Language
Normally, a word should be viewed as literal, unless other
considerations make it impossible to interpret them in that
light.
Other considerations...
context
grammar
consistency
common sense

9. Figurative Language
metaphor
1. a figure of speech in which a term or phrase is applied
to something to which it is not literally applicable in order
to suggest a resemblance, as in “A mighty fortress is our
God.” Compare mixed metaphor, simile ( def 1 ) .
2. something used, or regarded as being used, to represent
something else; emblem; symbol.

10. Figurative Language
simile
1. a figure of speech in which two unlike things are
explicitly compared, as in “she is like a rose.” Compare
metaphor.
2. an instance of such a figure of speech or a use of words
exemplifying it.

11. Figurative Language
synecdoche
a figure of speech in which a part is used for the whole or
the whole for a part, the special for the general or the
general for the special, as in ten sail for ten ships or a
Croesus for a rich man.

12. Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.29)
Figurative Language
metaphor

13. Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.29)
Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.36)
Figurative Language
metaphor
metaphor

14. Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.29)
Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.36)
Christ: our passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5.7)
Figurative Language
metaphor
metaphor
metaphor

15. Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.29)
Jesus: the lamb of God (John 1.36)
Christ: our passover lamb (1 Corinthians 5.7)
blood of Christ: like that of a lamb (1 Peter 1.19)
Figurative Language
metaphor
metaphor
metaphor
simile

16. The Order of Things

17. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
The Order of Things

18. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
FIRST
Natural
THEN
Spiritual
The Order of Things

19. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
FIRST
Natural
THEN
Spiritual
The Order of Things
man from the earth man from heaven

20. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
FIRST
Natural
THEN
Spiritual
The Order of Things
man from the earth man from heaven
man of dust man of heaven

21. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)

22. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb

23. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

24. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

25. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

26. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

27. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

28. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

29. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)

30. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

31. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

32. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

33. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

34. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

35. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

36. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

37. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “without blemish” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb

38. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “without blemish” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb not a
Real physical
lamb

39. Natural (first) Spiritual (second)
Exodus 12, CB OT p. 100 1 Corinthians 5.7, CB NT p. 294
Passover Lamb Christ, our Passover Lamb
☑ “a lamb for a household” (v. 3)
☑ “lamb shall be without blemish” (v. 5)
☑ “a male” (v. 5)
☑ “a year old” (v. 5)
☑ “world” (John 1.29)
☑ “kill at twilight” (v. 6)
☑ “roasted on the fire” (v. 8)
☑ “sacrificed” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “without blemish” (1 Peter 1.19)
☑ “Christ” (1 Corinthians 5.7)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.36)
☑ “Jesus” (John 1.29)☑ “congregation of Israel” (v. 3)
Real physical
lamb not a
Real physical
lamb
For there is one God, and
there is one mediator between
God and men, the man Christ
Jesus,
1 Timothy 2:5, CB NT p. 365

40. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
FIRST
Natural
THEN
Spiritual
Lamb Christ
The Order of Things

41. Distinguishing Between
Natural and Spiritual

42. Kingdom of God
John 3, CB NT p. 165

43. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165

44. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165
Natural? Spiritual?

45. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165
Natural

46. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165
Spiritual

47. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165

48. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165
Natural

49. Jesus answered him,“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless
one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to him,“How can a man be born
when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his
mother's womb and be born?” Jesus answered,“Truly,
truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the
Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That
which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is
born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:3-6, CB NT p. 165
Natural
Spiritual

50. Nicodemus said to him,“How can these things be?”
Jesus answered him,“Are you the teacher of Israel and
yet you do not understand these things?
John 3:9-10, CB NT p. 165

51. Nicodemus said to him,“How can these things be?”
Jesus answered him,“Are you the teacher of Israel and
yet you do not understand these things?
John 3:9-10, CB NT p. 165

52. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
Natural Spiritual

53. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
Natural Spiritual
Israel Kingdom of God

54. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
Natural Spiritual
Israel Kingdom of God
born of flesh born of water & spirit

55. But it is not the spiritual that is first but
the natural, and then the spiritual.
1 Corinthians 15:46, CB NT p. 309
Natural Spiritual
Israel Kingdom of God
born of flesh born of water & spirit
circumcision baptism

56. Will today be the day
you decide
to go to
heaven?

57. Photo Credits: (All photos from istockphoto.com are copyright protected. Please do not use without permission.)
Passover Lamb: iStock_000005140906

58. Miscellaneous 2013
#03
Our Passover Lamb - 1
1 Corinthians 5.7
Compiled and Presented by:
Dave Stewart
24 February 2013
www.churchofchristmiranda.com
Synopsis: This is the first of two lessons considering how we understand the figurative language in God’s Word. You will be reminded of a
few rules about figurative language and how God orders things. The Passover Lamb and Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus are
examined as examples of trying to properly understand God’s Word.
“Let all that you do be done with love.”
“Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway
Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”