CONNECTING POINT: Right or Wrong Jesus

While we are focused on Paul’s letter to the Colossians, it is good to recall that Peter, James, John, and other apostles were also “setting their face like flint” on Jesus the Christ. Paul’s conversion continues this passion, and to the Colossians he issues a firm warning. False teachings have always been the Achilles heel for the church, and this is precisely why Paul wrote the letter to the church in Colossae. We heed the call.

“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard, and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant,” (Colossians 1:15-23).

Paul provides two distinct understandings of who Jesus is. First, Christ is the creator of everything. This lofty statement is true and Biblical, correctly asserting that Jesus is, in fact, God. Once in a while, we have some individuals knock on our door and inquire about having a “bible study” with them. These visitors like to focus solely on Jesus being the “firstborn over all creation.” This English translation does not really help us to understand the gravity of the Greek prototokos (firstborn), which means supremacy in rank. According to the full context, Jesus was and is fully God; He is not a “created” being. You can spot false teachings regarding Jesus Christ when someone tries to separate His divinity.

Paul’s statement “The Son is the image of the invisible God…” is extremely important. Greek eikon (image) literally means exact representation, likeness, or manifestation of God. If Paul intended to say that Jesus was “similar” to God, he would have used the term homoioma.

Second, Christ is the head of the church. Another way to view this is to understand Jesus as the source. Such a distinction is further compounded with Paul’s teaching, “For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him,” (1:19). In the original language, “dwell” signifies permanent dwelling. Jesus, as God, established and commissioned the church.

As Christians, we need to be at peace with the character and deity of Jesus. Author Randy Alcorn said, “If we get it wrong about Jesus, it doesn’t matter what else we get right.”