THE PREEMINENCE OF CHRIST

I found this information in my dad’s study Bible and thought it would make a good post.  We will be discussing the preeminence of Christ in the book of Colossians. 

First off, what does the word ‘preeminence’ mean?  According to Merriam-Webster, it means having paramount rank, dignity, or importance.  Other synonyms of the word are outstanding, superiority, and supremacy.  

As believers, we know that Christ is superior to all because He is God.  So why would Paul stress this in his letter to the Colossian church?  During the time frame that this letter was written, the idea of Gnosticism had crept up in the church.  This was a movement that tried to marginalize Christ within the church.  It was a mix of Jewish and Greek teachings, as well as some mysticism that tried to teach that Christ wasn’t God.  They thought that there was a secret that needed to be revealed to the people in order to be saved and that receiving Christ wasn’t enough.  They also believed that Christ was an angel.  This is a blatant attack against the Gospel!  As such, Paul wrote to the believers in the Colossae to remind them of the preeminence of Christ.  He is God, there is no question.  

We’ll do a little bit more of a deep dive into Colossians to see Paul’s examples.  The examples of Christ’s preeminence are broken down into 5 sections, which will then be separated into 4 different posts for the month of September.

Christ is Preeminent in Reconciliation 

Colossians 1:19,20 -  For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.

• Christ is permanently God.  He was not temporarily God while in heaven or while on earth.  He was and always will be God. 

• Christ’s atoning work is full and broad

• We don’t make our own peace with God.  Christ made peace for us through His work on the cross 

Colossians 1:21,22 - And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— 

• Because we are all born from Adam, we are born alienated from God.  Then by committing more wicked works, we are becoming more alienated and enemies from God.  

• In Christ, we are no longer alienated.  The blood of Christ gives us both forgiveness and a change in status.  

• Because we are guilty of sin and damaged our relationship with God, we need forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation.  These were all accomplished by Christ’s sacrifice on the cross. 

Colossians 1:27 - To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. 

• Christ’s work of salvation was not fully revealed to the Old Testament saints.  Our hope is from Christ.