Author: Bryan Gibson

Weekly Bulletin
February 25, 2018

The Preeminence of Christ
A Brief Study Guide to Colossians
by Bryan Gibson
Here’s a chapter by chapter breakdown of Colossians, gathered around this one key phrase: “that in all things He [Christ] may have the preeminence” (Colossians 1:18).
Chapter One: The Preeminence of Christ Himself. His preeminence can be seen in the fact that “He is before all things” (v. 17), King of all (vv. 13, 16), redeemer and forgiver (v. 14), the image of the invisible God (v. 15), the firstborn over all creation (v. 15), the creator and sustainer of the universe (vv. 16-17), the Head of the church (v. 18), the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (v. 18), the fullness of all things (v. 19), and the one who reconciles all things to God (v. 20).
Chapter Two: The Preeminence of Christ in Doctrine. That Christ is preeminent in doctrine can be seen in the fact that in Him “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (v. 3), that we are therefore “complete in Him” (v. 10). We must beware, then, of any religious teaching that is “not according to Christ” (v. 8)—any teaching or practice that is “according to the commandments and doctrines of men” (v. 22), any teaching that is “self-imposed” (v. 23). Even Old Testament regulations, valuable as they may be for our learning (Romans 15:4; 1 Corinthians 10:11), cannot be bound today, because they’re merely a shadow of Christ (vv. 16-17). The message here is very simple: Christ is preeminent, and therefore the one and only source of religious doctrine and practice.
Chapter Three: The Preeminence of Christ in our Daily Lives—including thoughts, goals, speech, and relationships, all of which are covered in this chapter. Notice how often the instructions in this chapter point back to Christ: “seek those things…where Christ is” (v. 2); “you died, and your life is hidden with Christ” (v. 3); “put on the new man, who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him” [Christ] (v. 10); “Christ is all and in all” (v. 11); “as Christ forgave you, so you must also do” (v. 13); “do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 17); “as is fitting in the Lord” (v. 18); “this is well-pleasing to the Lord” (v. 20); “as to the Lord and not to men” (v. 23); “knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward” (v. 24); “for you serve the Lord Christ” (v. 25). Giving Him preeminence, then, in our daily lives, means to live because of Him, live for Him, live like Him, and look forward to being with Him.
Chapter Four: The Preeminence of Christ, and His Work. “And say to Archippus, ‘Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it’” (v. 17). He singled out Archippus, but the same could be said to his “fellow-workers for the kingdom of God” (v. 11), people like Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Mark, Justus, Epaphras, Luke, Demas, and Nymphas (vv. 7, 9, 10-15). If Christ is preeminent, then so is His work, and so is His kingdom. So no matter what task we’ve been given in the kingdom, it’s our obligation to “fulfill it,” and to do so with “great zeal” (v. 13).
The Thief on the Cross
“But what about the thief on the cross?” If Jesus saved the thief without baptism, why couldn't He do the same for us? In response to that question, though, let's ask another one. “But what about the 3000 souls on the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2:38-41), the Samaritans (Acts 8:12-13), the Ethiopian treasurer (Acts 8:26-40), Saul (Acts 9:18; 22:16), Cornelius and his household (Acts 10:48), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-34), Crispus and the other Corinthians (Acts 18:8), and the twelve men in Ephesus (Acts 19:5)?” These were all baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins, and they did so in obedience to the will of Christ, a will which came into effect after the death of Christ (Hebrews 9:15-17).

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	P.O. Box 680872 / Prattville, AL 36067
	(334) 365-5887 / (334) 868-0801
	prattmont@knology.net / prattmontchurchofchrist.org

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The Prattmont Church of Christ is just what the name suggests, a church that belongs to Christ. We are not a denomination; we are simply a group of Christians trying very hard to practice the teachings of our Head, Jesus Christ. The New Testament offers a complete pattern for what each local church should be like—its organization, its worship, its work, etc. We are committed to following that pattern. We cordially invite you to attend our services. We would also welcome any comments or questions about this bulletin.

TIMES OF SERVICES:
Sunday
Bible Study 9:00 A.M.
Worship 10:00 A.M.
Training Class 5:00 P.M.
Worship 6:00 P.M.
Wednesday:
Bible Study 7:00 P.M.