Christ the King C · Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words

Christ the King C

Colossians 1:13-2013 [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. 16 For by him all things were created, 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Pre-eminenceRev Dr S Ware

Interior Dome, Church of the Holy Sepulchre; Jerusalem>>


Pre-eminence (προτευων):


Pre-eminent (προτευων):

•Paramount in rank, dignity, importance


Pre-eminent (προτευων):•Paramount in rank, dignity, importance

• Infinitely superior; in a category all his own; incomparable

Hagia Sophia; Istanbul>>

16 For by him all things were created, 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. 17 And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. 19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell…


15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation


Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation

Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation...’


Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation

Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.’

• As the “firstborn” or “beginning” of all creation, is God the Son therefore a created being?

• Is God the Son inferior to God the Father?

Apse Mosaic, San Paolo fuori la Mura; Rome>>

Council of Nicea, AD 325


Council of Nicea, AD 325“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that has been made” (John 1:1-3)


Council of Nicea, AD 325In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not anything made that has been made (John 1:1)

“I and the Father are one” (John 10:30)

Ceiling Mosaic, NeonianBaptistery; Ravenna>>

Council of Nicea, AD 325“Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” (John 14:9)



• “Firstborn” or “beginning of creation” means “first cause” or “ruler of creation”



• “Firstborn” or “beginning of creation” means “first cause” or “ruler of creation”

• One God in three persons: Holy Trinity (tri-unity)

Apse Mosaic, Basilica San Vitale; Ravenna>>

13 [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Apse Mosaic, Basilica San Vitale; Ravenna>>

13 [God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

• If God the Son is inferior to the Father, and just a created being, we have no forgiveness of sins…

<<Apse Mosaic, Basilica San Vitale; Ravenna

Apostles’ Creed, Article II

“I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary…”


Apostles’ Creed, Article II

“I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary…”

• “Why can’t I just believe in the teachings of Jesus… without all that other stuff?”


19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.


19 For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

• It is only the completely divine Son of God and the completely human son of Mary who can redeem us and give us eternal life.

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Christ the King C · Colossians 1:15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation Revelation 3:14 And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words