The doctrine of inheritance (heirship)

1. As the victor in the angelic conflict and as a part of the doctrine of divine decrees Jesus Christ is the heir of all things — Hebrews 1:2.

2. Heirship is based on sonship. This is why Christ is called the Son of God. His title indicates that He is the heir of God the Father, as well as the focal point of the doctrine of divine decrees. John 1:12; Romans 8:16,17; Galatians 3:26. This is why to be heirs of God we have to become sons of God.

3. Heirship is also based on the death of another — Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4.

4. To inherit from God one must also possess the life of God — Titus 3:7; 1 John 5:11,12.

5. Therefore salvation is the qualification for joint inheritance — Colossians 1:12.

6. Heirship is related to the doctrine of divine decrees in the sense of sharing the destiny of Christ — Ephesians 1:11.

7. Heirship is also related to the doctrine of election since the joint heirs share the election of Christ — Hebrews 9:15.

8. The principle of our inheritance is related to the eternal security of the believer — 1 Peter 1:4,5.

9. Our heritage is provided on the basis if grace — Galatians 3:29.

10. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit is the down payment of our heritage — Ephesians 1:14.

11. Our heritage is located in the sphere of sainthood — Ephesians 1:18.

The doctrine of inheritance

1. Christ is the heir of all things, Hebrews 1:12. Under the Father’s plan of grace He has assigned His Son who went to the cross and purchased the salvation of all believers, so Christ is assigned heirship of all things. This is connected with the angelic conflict. Here is where the angelic conflict and the conflict in the human race meet.

2. This heirship is based on sonship. When we believe in Jesus Christ we become children of God or sons of God, John 1:12; Romans 8:16,17; Galatians 3:26.

3. Heirship is based on the death of another. When someone dies they make certain people their heirs, and this heirship is based upon their death, Romans 5:8; 1 Corinthians 15:3,4. Christ’s spiritual death is the basis for our eternal heritage.

4. Heirship from God demands possessing the life of God. God possesses eternal life and therefore we possess eternal life as of the moment of salvation, Titus 3:7; 1 John 5:11,12.

5. Salvation is the qualification for heirship, Colossians 1:12. Salvation is not only the qualification for heirship but this heirship becomes the basis for testing our capacity for life.

6. Heirship is related to predestination, Ephesians 1:11. Therefore heirship includes sharing the destiny of Christ.

7. Heirship is related to election, Hebrews 9:15. As believers we are joint heirs with Christ and as believers we share the election of Christ.

8. The principle of heirship emphasises eternal security, 1 Peter 1:4,5. We have eternal security because we are the heirs of God.