The Beginning of the Church; Firstborn Among the Dead—Colossians 1:18
“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” (Colossians 1:18)
The Church is one of the most beautiful mysteries revealed in Christ. It is an organic relationship; one of unity with the Savior. It previously did not exist, but was part of God’s master plan for redeemed humanity. Jesus is the head, we are His body, drawing life and purpose from Him. We are to carry out God’s mission in the world, which is the message of reconciliation to the Father (Colossians 1:20, 22).
The Church Was Part of God’s Master Plan
“Christ is called the “second man”, the “last Adam”. As the antitype of the first Adam it was necessary that Christ, the second Man or Last Adam, also have a bride. Like the first Adam, He too went into a “deep sleep” of death and resurrection. Out of his wounded side the Church, through faith, is born of God as the Bride of Christ” Paul E. Billheimer; Destined For the Throne.
Just as God gave a suitable helper to Adam in the garden; Jesus; the second Adam also has a suitable helper, the Church. With His death and resurrection the Church was born. And because we are united organically with Christ through Him living in us, we too have been crucified (Galatians 2:20); buried with Him (Romans 6:4); and now raised and seated with Him in the heavenly realm (Ephesians 2:6). This happened because we are one with Him and have our origin and existence in Him.
This was not an afterthought, the Church was God’s plan from the start. Paul reveals this secret, “the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:26-27).
It is Christ in you that makes you part of His global Church and it is Christ in you that enables you to carry out God’s mission of reconciliation in the world. To the Church, Christ has delegated all authority to operate in this world as He would (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-18; Ephesians 1:22-23). This is because we are His body, “the fullness of him who fills everything in every way” (Ephesians 1:23b).
In Everything He Has Supremacy
Christ was the first to rise from the dead to a permanent place at the Father’s right hand. Followed by countless numbers of believers, because of this, Jesus holds the place of preeminence in the Church as firstborn. Not only is He is firstborn over creation (Colossians 1:15), He is firstborn from the dead through His resurrection (Colossians 1:18; Revelation 1:5) and firstborn of the Church (Romans 8:29). This is why He has supremacy in absolutely everything!
Today, I pray that you get a revelation of Christ’s superiority in every position and title that can possibly be held. I pray that likewise you understand your place in the Church, as His bride. I pray that you see your authority in Christ to be an ambassador for Him in this world. May you understand the divine mystery of the Church and how you are empowered through Christ living in you to bring this message of hope to a hurting world.