Page 62 - Christology - Student Textbook
P. 62
In this passage Jesus is the Word which means, “the expression of God” or “all who God is.” Verse
three states clearly that the world was made through Him and nothings exists that He did not make.
Jesus was clearly stated as the Creator.
In I Cor. 8:6, Paul states that it was through God the Father that all things exist and then follows that
through Jesus Christ that all things came into being and exist. Here Jesus is the Creator. Notice also
the use of the adjective “all” things. There is nothing that was not created by God. That is crucial as
this verse refutes arguments that might suggest that Jesus Christ only created a limited number of
things.
Colossians 1: 5-17 state:
16
15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were
created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or
17
authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in
him all things hold together.
In verse 15, Jesus Christ is the image of the invisible God. Viewing Jesus is to view God. He is the
firstborn of all creation. The word, “firstborn” is often confused. It simply means “preeminent one”.
It has nothing to do with being created, but rather refers to being the Creator. In verse 16 Paul
declares that the reason that Jesus was the “preeminent one” is because He was the Creator of
everything that exists. Even invisible things, be them thrones or powers or rulers or authorities,
were created through Him and for Him.
Finally, Paul argues that not only is Jesus Christ the Creator of all things, but He is before all things.
This means that there is no one greater than Jesus Christ. He is God in flesh and worthy of all glory
and praise. He also holds the entire universe together and keeps it running smoothly.
The writer of Hebrews states that Jesus Christ (Lord) laid the foundations of the earth, and the
heavens are the work of His hands (Heb. 1:10).
Not only is Jesus Christ the Creator, He holds all things together and sustain the world by His Word
(Col 1:17; Heb. 1:3; 2:11). Jesus Christ is absolutely in control and sustains all things by His powerful
and explosive Word. He is involved with His creation.
Jesus Christ’s work in the past was to create the heavens and the earth and all
things. Another part of God’s plan was to resolve the problem that occurred
shortly after the creation. Man, whom God fellowshipped daily, rebelled
against God and chose to sin. God had a plan to resolve the sin issue. He
would come to earth, become a man, and pay the penalty for man’s sin by
shedding His perfect blood as a sacrifice. He would take man’s eternal
judgment for sin upon Himself. This is what is called, the grace of God –
underserved salvation.
Jesus’ Work of Redemption
The Fall
Jesus’ work of redemption was initiated by the fall of man in the Garden of Eden. While the doctrine
of the fall specifically deals with man’s sin and alienation from God, Christ’s work of redemption is
first seen during the punishments to all involved. This brief glimpse of Christ’s redemptive work is
known as the protoevangelium (Gen 3:15). We read that Jesus Christ was going to come as Savior to
61