2023-10-20 Christ Has “the preeminence” – “head of the body”

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.

Jesus Christ has “the preeminence” in all things, but the context here is that “he is the head of the body, the church”.  Thus, there is no provision in the Word of God for “the church” to have an earthly headquarters or a regional ecclesiastical body, for the Church’s only Headquarters and Preeminent Ruler is in Heaven where Jesus sits as the only Sovereign “King” and “Priest” (Hebrews 6:20-7:2) over His Church and People.  He has sole authority as the Church’s Preeminent Executive, Legislator, and Judiciary.  Therefore, each Minister and local Church is authoritatively directly subordinate to the Lord Jesus Christ with no intermediary over His Church-Kingdom.  Our Lord and “King” and “Priest” has given us His Holy Word to Command us in all things pertaining to His Church and life as His faithful Children.  Our judgments and decisions are confined to the Word of God, in which we compare our behavior and the Church’s Doctrine and Practice to what the Lord has already Commanded.  This is why we are Commanded to “present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  2  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:1-2).  We have a Sovereign, Living, Caring, and Loving King and High Priest in Heaven; therefore, we worshipfully submit to Him and appeal directly to Him for wisdom, leadership, deliverance, forgiveness, and “mercy” and “grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16).