(5) Paul Declares The Supremacy of Christ - Pt. 2

(Note: This post is part of a series on proof of the deity of Jesus in the New Testament.)

Paul is very clear about the fact that Jesus created all things. And he is also very specific about what the “all things” includes. “ All things in heaven or on earth, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers.”

That’s quite a list! If you can see it or you can’t see it, Jesus created it. He created all authorities, all kingdoms and nations of every kind in Heaven or on earth. But notice, that Paul is not just stating that Jesus has created every thing that exists, material and immaterial, in all the universe, he is also saying that Jesus is sovereign over all. Jesus is sovereign God.

Then, Paul continues, “All things were created through him and for him. Jesus created all things, including all authority for himself. Only God deserves to have all things exist for Himself. If Jesus is not God, he is the greatest idolater to ever exist.

Paul’s next statement is, “He himself is before all things” Is Paul a bit senile? How many times is he going to say the same thing? As many times as it takes to get the message across: Jesus is the uncreated creator of all creation and existed before anything else existed.

And, not only is Jesus the uncreated creator, He is also the unsustained sustainer of all creation! “All things are held together in Him.” He keeps everything in order in all of creation. Can anyone but God hold such power, knowledge, wisdom, and authority over all creation?

Jesus is “the firstborn from among the dead, so that He Himself may become first in all things.” Here is another, all encompassing declaration of the supremacy of Jesus above all things. Again, the question must be asked, “Can this be speaking of anyone other that God?” Who but God can legitimately have first place in all things?

Paul is clearly a star witness for proving the deity of Jesus and he still has not made his most dramatic declaration. “God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son.” Greek language scholar Marvin Vincent explains, “The “fulness” denotes the sum-total of the divine powers and attributes. In Christ dwelt all the fulness of God as deity. Thus the phrase “in Him should all the fulness dwell” gathers into a grand climax the previous statements – image of God, first-born of all creation, Creator, the eternally preexistent, the Head of the Church, the victor over death, first in all things. Jesus is all of this because He is the fullness of God.

Just in case we still haven’t gotten it, Paul restates this glorious truth again latter in his letter to the Colossians, “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body (Colossians 2:9 NLT).

We’ve heard a lot of testimony. Perhaps it’s a bit overwhelming. So, let’s summarize what we’ve seen so far.

1. Jesus is, "My Lord and my God” (John 20:28)
2. Jesus is “God and Savior.” (2 Peter 1:1)
3. Jesus rules over an eternal kingdom. (2 Peter 1:11).
4. Jesus is “our great God and Savior.” (Titus 2:13).
5. Jesus is “God over all.” (Rom. 9:5).
6. Jesus was“in very nature God,” and equal with God. (Phil. 2:6)
7. Jesus “is the image of the invisible God,” the visible manifestation of the invisible God. (Col. 1:15)
8. Jesus created all things.
9. Jesus is sovereign over all kingdoms and authorities in all the universe. (Col. 1:16)
10. Jesus is the uncreated creator. (Col. 1:16)
11. Jesus is the unsustained sustainer of all creation. (Col. 1:17)
12. In Jesus is all the fullness of God, the sum-total of God’s divine powers and attributes. (Col. 1:19)

Is Jesus God? Beyond a reasonable doubt? Way beyond. The evidence here is really quite extensive and clear. And the best is yet to come!

N ext: (6) John Takes the Witness Stand