Christ's title as the first to rise from the dead with a glorified, never-to-die-again body. Colossians 1:18: he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. Echoed in Revelation 1:5 (the first begotten of the dead) and 1 Corinthians 15:20 (now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept). The image distinguishes Christ's resurrection from prior resuscitations (Lazarus, Jairus's daughter, the widow of Nain's son) — all of whom died again. Christ is firstborn from the dead because His resurrection-body is the prototype of the glorified body all His people will receive (1 Cor 15:23, 49). His rising is not just His own; it is the firstfruits guaranteeing the full harvest.