Colossians 1:18

And 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.

'AND' -in addition to the Creation, Christ also holds. position of preeminence over the "new creation".

'THE HEAD OF THE BODY' -(Ephesians 1:21).

Points to Note:

1. 'the body is the servant of the head...Without him the Church cannot think the truth, cannot act correctly, cannot decide its direction.' (Barclay p. 121)

2. Which leaves no room or authority for. human head (the pope), governing body (the Watchtower), convention or conference over the Church. Jesus is the sole head of the Church.

3. Therefore, the "true church" will always be composed of those people who are listening to the head (Colossians 2:19; Ephesians 5:23; 1 Timothy 6:3; 2 John 1:9).

4. Macknight in quoting Dr. Leachman says, 'It is evident to every one, that the reducing of men under one great head, is the most natural means of uniting them to one another.'

5. 'if the Son of God is the Organic and Ruling Head of the church, then the church is in no sense whatever dependent on any creature, angel or otherwise....' (Hendriksen p. 77)

The modern application: (a) The Church doesn't mean Mary, Joseph or the illustrious dead to intercede on its behalf. (b) The church doesn't need outside sources of spiritual nourishment, i.e. New Age thinking, human philosophy, or Eastern Religion. (c) Christ in His revelation has given the church everything it needs to function effectively. We don't need "new truth", at the same time we don't need. new purpose, new "offices" or. new organizational structure.

6. Since the same God who Created this Universe is the Same God who authored the Bible: (a) Scientific truth and spiritual truth will never contradict, i.e. true science and true biblical teaching will never find themselves in conflict. (b) In addition, since this same God created everything in the spiritual and invisible realm. The Christian always knows that the Bible is right when it touches upon scientific truth, metaphysical truth, religious truth, moral truth, etc...(c) THE BIBLE IS THE ORIGINAL AND ONLY GENUINE "WHOLE EARTH CATALOG".

'OF THE BODY' -i.e. the Church (Ephesians 1:22). We often forget that in calling the church, 'the body', God is stressing how dependent the church is upon Christ and also the dependence, closeness and togetherness and mutual participation and work that should exist in this relationship. Being. Christian means being. functioning part of the body (Romans 12:4; 1 Corinthians 12:13 ff).

'WHO IS THE BEGINNING' -Since this verse is dealing with Christ's role in redemption, it appears that the verse means, 'He is the origin of the church', as well as the universe (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28). He is the author of our salvation (Hebrews 2:10), the source of eternal life (Colossians 5:9); and the pioneer who has blazed the trail to heaven (Hebrews 12:2).

'THE FIRSTBORN FROM THE DEAD' -(Revelation 1:5). That is, the preeminent one among all the resurrected. The first one to be resurrected to die no more. And the one from whom all future resurrections are tied (1 Corinthians 15:22).

Points to Note:

1. This statement means that Jesus also holds. place of absolute authority over the realm of death (Revelation 1:17; Hebrews 2:14; 2 Timothy 1:10). There is no realm or sphere which isn't under His present authority (Matthew 28:18). 'Even in that realm where men seek to avoid His direction, they will find that He is reigning there also.' (Elkins/Warren p. 79)

2. 'Christ is not merely someone who lived and died and of whom we read and learn.' (Barclay p. 121) The church isn't founded upon. dead hero or deceased founder. Mankind isn't faced with. "legacy", but. living Christ!

3. 'By his Resurrection he has shown that he has conquered every opposing power and that there is nothing in life or in death which can bind him.' (Barclay p. 122)

'THAT IN ALL THINGS' -All realms, physical, spiritual. In Creation and In The Church, Among the Living and among the dead.

'HE MIGHT HAVE THE PREEMINENCE' -'that he, in all things, may stand first' (TCNT); 'occupy the foremost place' (Wey); 'to be in all things alone supreme' (NEB); 'so that He is first in everything' (Tay)

'PREEMINENCE' -4409. proteuo prote-yoo'-o; from 4413; to be first (in rank or influence): -have the preeminence.

Points to Note:

1. Human sin had somewhat frustrated the original purposes of Creation. But through His death for sin and resurrection, Jesus frustrated the devil's evil purposes: (a) Saved men didn't have to fear death (Hebrews 2:14). (b) All men could find deliverance and freedom in Christ (John 8:32; Acts 26:18).

2. Through His resurrection He manifested His superiority in the spiritual realm (Colossians 2:15; Romans 1:4; Ephesians 1:20). The resurrection seriously demonstrated that nothing, no power or dominion can stand in the way of God's purposes. All the powers of evil couldn't stop his resurrection from the dead.

3. Carefully note that Jesus is First In All Things NOW! He presently reigns as King in the physical and spiritual realm (Matthew 28:18; Ephesians 1:20; Revelation 3:21).