Tag: Inspiration

He Is Before All Things – Part 1

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Colossians 1:17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

‘And he is before all things’ He is an eternal being (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Mic. 5:1-2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11; Ps. 90:2). The person who was to be born in Bethlehem of the tribe of Judah of the nation of Israel was to be God – an eternal Being “whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting” (Mic. 5:2; Isa. 9:6-7; John 1:1-3, 14; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8; 2:8; 22:13). As man He had a beginning, was begotten, and was brought into being; but as God, He had no beginning, was not begotten, and did not come into being From John 1:1 we see the following: “In the beginning [dateless past] was the Word, and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word was God [part of the Trinity].”

From Acts 13:33 we see Psalm 2:7 quoted: “Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee.” This refers to the incarnation when the second person of the Divine Trinity took a human body to redeem (Php. 2:5-11; Isa. 7:14; 9:6). It was when God had a Son through Mary (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14). This happened on a certain day: “This day have I begotten thee” (Heb. 1:5-7). Therefore, we cannot say that God had a Son before this time. This proves that sonship in connection with God had to refer to humanity and not deity.

To be continued…

All Things Created

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Colossians 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him 

‘By him were all things created’ – The person we now know as Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, existed as an equal member of the Godhead from all eternity (Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Mic. 5:2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8; Rev. 1:8-11). Before He became God’s Son (sonship refers to humanity). He was a spirit being and carried out the divine plan of creation. He was the direct agent of God the Father who created all things by Him (Isa. 9:6; John 1:3; Eph. 3:9; Heb. 1:3)

‘That are in heaven, and that are in earth.’ This proves that the heavens and the things in them are just as material as those on earth (Gen. 1:1; Pro. 8:27).

‘Invisible’ – Invisible things are made up of material substance which is visible in their own realm. Created things – including spirit beings such as angels, cherubim, seraphim, etc. – are all of the material substance. Some substances are of a higher type than others. Though all are visible in their own realms, some may not be visible to others of lower realms. Spirit beings are of a higher substance than flesh and blood beings and ordinary material that we see. They are not limited to ordinary substances as we know them, for they can go through closed doors, walls, and other material objects, as proved by what is recorded in Scripture of angels and others. Even the material, spiritual, and immortal body of Christ, a real flesh-and-bone body (Luke 24:39), can go through material walls without an opening (John 20:19; Luke 24:31, 24:35-43). If this is true of angels and resurrected human bodies, it must be true of God and the Holy Spirit who are spirit beings.

‘All things were created by him, and for him.’ This is the chief end of all creation (1:16-18; Eph. 3:9-11; Rev. 4:11; 5:13-14). The sole purpose of creation and the ultimate purpose of God for creation in its fallen state now is to redeem it from all rebellion and sin and to restore it to original sinlessness and perfection (Rev. 21:3-7). This is the purpose of the reign of Christ (1Cor. 15:24-28; Eph. 1:10; Rev. 22:3).

The Image of the Invisible God – Part 5

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Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature

As God, the person we now know as Jesus Christ had no beginning, was not begotten, was not a Son, and did not come into being. He always existed as God (Ps. 90:2; Mic. 5:2; John 1:1-2; Heb. 1:8). But as man and as God’s Son He was not eternal. He had a beginning. He was begotten – at the same time, Mary had a Son. Therefore, the doctrine of the eternal sonship of Jesus Christ is irreconcilable to reason, unscriptural, and contradictory to itself. Eternity has no beginning, so if He has been God from eternity, then He could not have a beginning as God. Eternity has no reference to time, so if He was begotten “this day,” then it was done in time and not in eternity.

The word Son supposes time, generations, father, mother, beginning, and conception -unless one is a son by creation, as Adam (Luke 3:38), and angels (Job 1:6; 2:1; 38:7; Gen. 6:1-4). Time, created, and beginning, are opposites to God and eternity and are absolutely impossible to reconcile with them. If sonship refers to deity, not to humanity, then this person of the Deity had a beginning in time and not in eternity. It is plainly stated in Psalm 2:7; Acts 13:33 and Hebrews 1:5; 5:5 that God had a Son “this day” and not in eternity. It is stated in Hebrews 1:5-7; Luke 1:35 and Matthew 1:18-25 when this took place. It was nearly 2,000 years ago. It had been predicted that God would have a Son (Isa. 7:14; 9:6; Heb. 1:5; Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:32-35). This was fulfilled when the virgin conceived “of the Holy Ghost” (Matt. 1:20), not at any other time. To say that God had an eternal Son would mean He had two; but it is plainly stated that Jesus was “the only begotten of the Father” (John 1:14, 18; 3:16-18; 1Jn. 4:9).

The Image of the Invisible God – Part 4

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Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature

With these facts it is clear in what sense Jesus is “the firstborn of every creature” or of all creation (1:15), and “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). All creation came into existence by creative acts, not by a begetting as in the case of Jesus. Even the “many brethren” are not begotten in the sense Jesus was by the Holy Spirit. They were begotten by people, not by God, and were thus brought into the human family, not the family of God. The only way one gets into God’s family is by adoption (Rom. 8:14-16; Gal. 4:5-6; Eph. 1:5). Jesus is the only begotten Son … the first of all creatures to be begotten of God, the only one of all beings begotten of God, the first and only one of the family of adopted and “created” brethren begotten of God (Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10), the first begotten of or from the dead, and the firstfruit of the resurrection of all men (1:18; 1Cor. 15:23-33; Rev. 1:5). The body of Christ (consisting of all Christian congregations) is the called-out people of the one who is the firstborn (Heb. 12:23). Adam and angels were by creation, not by begetting (Luke 3:38; Gen. 6:1-4; Job 1:6; 38:4-7).

This refers to the incarnation when the second person of the Divine Trinity took a human body to redeem (Php. 2:5-11; Isa. 7:14; 9:6). It was when God had a Son through Mary (Matt. 1:18-25; Luke 1:35; John 1:14). This happened on a certain day: “This day have I begotten thee” (Heb. 1:5-7). Therefore, we cannot say that God had a Son before this time. This proves that sonship in connection with God had to refer to humanity and not to deity.

To be continued…

The Image of the Invisible God – Part 2

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Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature

He has a personal soul with feelings of grief (Gen. 6:6), anger (1Kin. 11:9), repentance (Gen. 6:6), jealousy (Ex. 20:5), hate (Prov. 6:16), love (John 3:16), pity (Ps. 103:13), fellowship (1Jn. 1:1-7), pleasure and delight (Ps. 147:10), and other soul passions like other beings (Gal. 5:22-23).

He has a personal spirit (Ps. 143:10; Isa. 30:1) with the mind (Rom. 11:34), intelligence (Gen. 1:26; Rom. 11:33), will (Rom. 8:27; 9:19), power (Eph. 1:19; 3:7, 20; Heb. 1:3), truth (Ps. 91:4), faith and hope (Rom. 12:3; 1Cor. 13:13), righteousness (Ps. 45:4), faithfulness (1Cor. 10:13), knowledge and wisdom (Isa. 11:2; 1Tim. 1:17), reason (Isa. 1:18), discernment (Heb. 4:12), immutability (Heb. 6:17), and many other attributes, powers, and spirit faculties.

He has been seen physically many times (Gen. 18:1-33; 32:24-30; Ex. 24:9-11; Jos. 5:13-15; Isa. 6:1-13; Dan. 7:9-13; Ezek. 1:1-28; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4-5) and can be understood by the things that are made. Man is the visible image and likeness making the invisible God clearly seen as in Romans 1:20.

‘Invisible’ [Greek: aoratos] (Col. 1:15-16; Rom. 1:20; 1Tim. 1:17; Heb. 11:27). The word means not in sight, unseen, concealed. Invisibility consists more of distance than substance. Cities or other material objects cannot be seen even 48 kilometres away. At this distance they are invisible. Objects concealed are invisible. Anything out of eyesight is invisible. God, angels, and other spirit beings are thus invisible. They can appear or disappear at will. They have been seen with the natural eyes many times, proving that invisibility must be understood with them as with all other invisible things that can become visible.

To be continued…

Redemption

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Colossians 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins 

‘In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.’ This is the price God paid to manifest His grace and adopt us as sons (1:14; Rom. 3:24-25; 8:23; 1Cor. 1:30; Heb. 12:15; Rev. 5:9-10).

‘Redemption’ [Greek: lutrosis] a ransoming. It is from lutron [a ransom price of redemption; an atonement; a release on receipt of a ransom price; Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45] and lutroo to redeem (1Pet. 1:18; Luke 24:21; Tit. 2:14) The Greek word apolutrosis means to redeem by paying the price (Ex. 21:8; Gal. 3:13); a deliverance by paying a ransom (1Tim. 2:6); deliverance from the penalty of sin, including forgiveness of sin (1:14; Rom. 3:24; Eph. 1:7, 14; 4:30; Heb. 9:15); and restoration of all creation from the curse (Rom. 8:23).

Man sold himself as a slave to sin and satan. God paid the price of His redemption. Man is now obligated to meet God’s terms of faith, repentance, and service if he wants to be redeemed. The ultimate redemption by atonement is not only to remove all sins but also all sicknesses with complete redemption of body as well as soul (Rom. 8:11, 17-24; Php. 3:21; Eph. 5:27). If God deals with sin now, He also deals with disease as clearly revealed in the whole truth (Isa. 6:10; 61:1; Matt. 13:15; John 10:10).

There are seven steps of gospel redemption: The plan of God to redeem the world by the incarnation of God’s Son (Gal. 4:4; Gen. 3:15; Isa. 7:14; 9:6-7; Matt. 1:18-25). The manifestation of God’s Son in “the fulness of the time” (Gal. 4:4; Dan. 9:24-26; Matt. 1:18-25). The circumstances of His appearing: made of a woman; made under the law; to be a perfect sacrifice (Gal. 4:4-5; John 3:16; Heb. 10:1-18). The redemption by His death (Gal. 4:5; Rom. 3:24; 1Pet. 2:24; Eph. 1:7; Heb. 9:15). The sonship by adoption of all who believe (Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:14-16; Eph. 1:5). The impartation of the Holy Spirit (Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:9-16; Gal. 3:14). The heirship of all sons (Gal. 4:7; Rom. 8:14-18; Eph. 1:11; 1Pet. 1:4).

Pray for You

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Colossians 1:9-13 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which has made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who has delivered us from the power of darkness, and has translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son

‘Pray for you, and to desire that you might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.’ Twelve things prayed for the Colossians: To be filled with the knowledge of His will (1:9). To be filled with all wisdom. To have spiritual understanding. To walk worthy of the Lord (1:10). To walk pleasing to the Lord. To be fruitful in all good works. To increase in the knowledge of God. To be strengthened with all might (1:11). To have His glorious power. To have all patience. To have all longsuffering. To have joy.

Ten conditions of answered prayer: Have the faith of God (Rom. 4:17; Heb. 11:3; Gal. 5:22-23). Pray: say in no uncertain terms what you want (Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 17:20; 21:21-22; John 15:7). Have unlimited faith without qualifying and limiting God’s will or what you want (Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 17:20; 21:21-22; Mark 9:23; John 15:7, 16). Refuse to doubt in the heart (Mark 11:23; Matt. 17:20; Jas. 1:5-8). Believe that whatever is asked will be given (Mark 11:23-24; Matt. 7:7-11; 17:20; 21:21-22; Heb. 11:6). Believe that whatever is asked is already granted (Mark 11:24; Matt. 17:20; 1Jn. 5:14-15). Be authoritative and command to come to pass what is asked (Mark 9:23; 11:23-24; Matt. 17:20). Believe that what you want is God’s will (Mark 11:24; John 15:7; Matt. 17:20; 21:21-22; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:5-8). Never say “if it be Thy will” concerning anything you ask that is definitely promised of God in His word (Mark 11:23; Ps. 84:11; 2Cor. 1:20; 2Pet. 1:3-4). Have a clean heart and life with God and man (Mark 11:25; John 15:7; 1Jn. 3:22-23).

‘Made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.’ Qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints. This refers to every promise and provision of the gospel for believers who are delivered from the power of satan and are translated into the kingdom of God (1:12-13; Acts 26:18; 2Cor. 1:20; John 14:12-15).

‘Translated’ [Greek: methistemi] to transfer, exchange, remove. Here it means to deliver from satan and his power and kingdom of sin, sickness, and depravity to be placed under the government of the Son of God’s love. This transfer is made possible by redemption through the blood of Christ (1:14).

The Grace of God in Truth

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Colossians 1:6-8 Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bring forth fruit, as it does also in you, since the day you heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: As you also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ; Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 

‘Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world.’ Here the gospel is referred to as a traveller making a tour of the whole world. Beginning from Judea it had travelled through Syria and different parts of Asia, Africa, and Europe and had lately visited Colosse. It is also spoken of as bearing fruit all over the world. The gospel is still travelling and bringing forth fruit on the earth. Millions of Bibles in hundreds of languages go into all parts of the earth yearly and the Word of God are available worldwide.

‘The grace of God in truth.’ We can receive this grace from God in truth when we accept Christ and become His followers as described in 1Peter 2:21-23. Then we receive the fullness of grace (John 1:16-17), the fullness of the Holy Spirit anointing upon believers (Luke 24:49; John 7:37-39; Acts 1:4-8), the full gifts and fruit of the Spirit (1Cor. 12:4-11; Gal. 5:22-23), and the complete redemptive acts and processes of which the law was a shadow (Heb. 10:1) were all predicted by the prophets. The way into the holiest by the blood of Christ (Heb. 10:19), the power and authority of every believer to do the works of Christ (John 14:12), and many other truths and experiences were unknown to the prophets.

‘Epaphras’ – mentioned only here (4:12; Phm. 1:23). He was a fellow prisoner of Paul in Rome and a minister of the gospel. He was one of the Colossian believers (4:12).

Give Thanks

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Colossians 1:3-5 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

‘Give thanks’ – We have to give thanks to God in all things for all things at all times. Many examples in Scripture: It is good to give thanks unto the Lord (Ps. 92:1). Give thanks in the remembrance of His holiness (Ps. 97:12). Give thanks unto His holy name (Ps. 106:47). Give thanks unto the Lord (Ps. 105:1; 106:1; 107:1; 118:1, 29). Give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good. Give thanks to Him, for His mercy endures forever. (Ps. 107:1). Give thanks to God because of His righteous judgments (Ps. 119:62). Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good and His mercy endures forever (Ps. 136:1, 26). The righteous shall give thanks unto Thy name: the upright shall dwell in Thy presence (Ps. 140:13). Give thanks to God in Jesus’ name (Eph. 5:20). Giving thanks to God and the Father by Him (Col. 3:17). Give thanks always in all things (1Thess. 5:18). Let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His name (Heb.13:15). 

‘Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints.’ Six blessings of the Colossians: They had faith in Jesus Christ (1:4). They had a love for all saints. They had hope for eternal life (1:5; Tit. 1:2). They heard the truth of the gospel. They bore fruit (1:6). They knew the grace of God in truth.

‘We heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which you have to all the saints.’ Compare this statement with Ephesians 1:15. The two epistles are very similar in doctrine and phraseology.

‘Laid up’ [Greek: apokeimai] stored away.

To the Saints and Faithful

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Colossians 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘An apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God.’ An apostle by the will of God. No man had anything to do with the calling and training of Paul. The Greek word apostolos means a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of the apostles, it meant that God sent them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. It is translated apostle 78 times; messenger twice (2Cor. 8:23; Php. 2:25); and once he that is sent (John 13:16).

‘Timotheus’ – this is Timothy who was converted by Paul on his first trip (Acts 14:6-7 with 1Tim. 1:2). Part Jew and Greek, uncircumcised, but a good Christian (Acts 16:1-3). A miracle worker like Paul (1Cor. 16:10). Paul’s companion from here on (2:19; Acts 16:1-3; 17:14-15; 18:5; 19:22; 20:4; Rom. 16:21; 1Cor. 4:17). On a mission (Heb. 13:23). It is believed by some that he was Paul’s scribe in writing Hebrews and Galatians. He had the gifts of the Spirit (1Tim. 4:14; 2Tim. 1:6). He was a great student of Scripture (2Tim. 1:5; 2:15; 3:15).

‘Saints’ are those that are born again and will most definitely be faithful. All saved people are called saints in the Word of God (Acts 9:13, 32, 41; 26:10; Rom. 1:7; 1Cor. 1:2; 6:1-2; 2Cor. 1:1; Eph. 1:1; Php. 1:1; Col. 1:2; 2Thess. 1:10; Jude 1:3; Rev. 5:8; 13:7, 10; 17:6), not sinners as most claim to justify sinful behaviour. Even though all saints were born in sin and had to come to Christ, repent and be justified in Him to qualify for this appellation. There are also no grounds for making people saints after death.

‘Colosse’ – A city of Phrygia just a few miles from Laodicea. Both cities disappeared so completely that only in recent times have the sites been discovered. Eusebius states that Colosse perished in an earthquake a short time after the writing of this epistle.

‘Grace be unto you’ – best greeting ever! Blessing another person with grace – that which Christ accomplished on the cross (redemption and healing) through which we are reconciled with the Father whereby He then has access to us to protect and provide for us.

‘God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’ – Another clear reference to two separate and distinct persons (1Jn. 5:7). One is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and the other is the Son of the Father (2Jn. 1:3; John 3:16).