Topical Bible: the Head of the Church Christ: Has the Pre-Eminence in all Things

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The concept of Christ as the Head of the Church and His pre-eminence in all things is a central tenet of Christian theology, emphasizing His supreme authority and leadership over the Church and all creation. This doctrine is rooted in various passages of Scripture, which highlight Christ's unique position and role.

Christ as the Head of the Church

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Colossians, articulates the pre-eminence of Christ with clarity and authority. Colossians 1:18 states, "And He is the head of the body, the church; He is the beginning and firstborn from among the dead, so that in all things He may have preeminence." This passage underscores Christ's role as the leader and source of life for the Church, which is metaphorically described as His body. As the head, Christ directs, sustains, and unifies the Church, ensuring its growth and spiritual vitality.

Furthermore, Ephesians 1:22-23 reinforces this concept: "And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all." Here, Paul emphasizes that Christ's authority extends beyond the Church to encompass all creation, yet it is for the benefit and edification of the Church that He exercises this dominion.

Pre-Eminence in Creation and Redemption

Christ's pre-eminence is not limited to His role within the Church but extends to all aspects of creation and redemption. Colossians 1:16-17 declares, "For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together." This passage affirms that Christ is the agent of creation, the purpose for which all things exist, and the sustainer of the universe. His pre-eminence is inherent in His divine nature and His work in creation.

In the realm of redemption, Christ's pre-eminence is equally profound. Through His death and resurrection, He has reconciled all things to Himself, as stated in Colossians 1:20 : "and through Him to reconcile to Himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through the blood of His cross." This act of reconciliation highlights Christ's authority and power to restore the broken relationship between God and humanity, further establishing His supremacy in the spiritual realm.

Christ's Authority and the Believer's Response

The recognition of Christ's pre-eminence calls for a response of submission and worship from believers. As the Head of the Church, Christ demands loyalty and obedience from His followers, who are called to live in accordance with His teachings and example. Ephesians 5:23-24 draws a parallel between Christ's headship over the Church and the relationship between husband and wife: "For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, His body, of which He is the Savior. Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything."

Believers are encouraged to acknowledge Christ's authority in their lives, allowing His pre-eminence to shape their actions, decisions, and relationships. This submission is not burdensome but is a source of joy and fulfillment, as it aligns the believer with the divine purpose and order established by Christ.

In summary, the doctrine of Christ as the Head of the Church and His pre-eminence in all things is foundational to understanding His role in creation, redemption, and the life of the believer. Through His authority, Christ governs the Church, sustains the universe, and reconciles humanity to God, inviting all to recognize and submit to His supreme lordship.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Corinthians 11:3
But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 1:22
And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Christ is the Head of the Church?
... why God should not be the Head of Christ, although Christ Himself is Head of the
Church. Reply to Objection 3: The head has a manifest pre-eminence over the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether christ is the head.htm

The Pre-Eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ.
... the first born from the dead He is the head of the ... That body is the church and every
believing sinner is a ... Christ in our daily walk; Not I--- but Christ in our ...
/.../gaebelein/the lord of glory/the pre-eminence of the lord.htm

The Christian Church
... Paul, in writing to the Colossians, said of Christ, "And He is the head of the body,
the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead ...
/.../sell/studies in the life of the christian/study ix the christian church.htm

Nature of Church History.
... Paul, "were created through Christ and unto Christ: and He is before all things,
and in Him all things ... And He is the head of the body, the Church: who is ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 1 nature of church.htm

On the Church and Its Head
... by Christ, after the same constitution as that by which Christ is said ... Hence it follows
that neither does this title of "the Head of the church" belong to ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 18 on the church.htm

The Holy Spirit and the Church. The Church is the Temple of God.
... and how can He be less than Christ, whose members are His temple? ... the Son, who says
of His own body, through which He was made Head of the Church upon earth ...
/.../augustine/the enchiridion/chapter 56 the holy spirit and.htm

The Apostle Has Made Known to us Certain Three Unions...
... 23. The Apostle has made known to us certain three unions, Christ and the Church,
husband and wife ... as unto the Lord; because the husband is the head of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on continence/section 23 the apostle has.htm

Christ --The Power and Wisdom of God
... so abused as the church of Christ has been, all ... A thousand miracles that ever the
church outlived that! When her pretended head became apostate, and all her ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 3 1857/christthe power and wisdom of.htm

A Consecrated Ministry
... Since His ascension Christ has carried forward His work on the earth by chosen
ambassadors, through whom He ... The great Head of the church superintends His ...
/.../white/the acts of the apostles/lesson 34 a consecrated ministry.htm

On the Roman Pontiff, and the Principal Titles which Are
... and his adversary, when he boasts of himself as the spouse, the head, and the ... his
own private advantage, but to the manifest injury of the church of Christ. ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/disputation 21 on the roman.htm