This morning, January 4th, 2019, we started a new topic in our Saturday Bible Study at The Blue Point Bible Church. We began by reviewing John chapter 1 and Colossians chapter 1, taking special notice of the context and similar themes that run through the text. Both John 1:16-17 and Colossians 1:3 highlight the premminence of the Word, Christ Jesus, His being in the beginning, and His being the beginning.
Instead of detailing the beginning of the planet or time, we took notice that both of these texts (along with Genesis chapter 1 and Romans chapter 1) speak of covenant beginnings. The “world” that knew God in the beginning, but was deceived by idolatry, that rejected Christ during His incarnation, and which the Light came into, but was not comprehended, is the covenant world. The beginning of the “world” is the beginning of the Old Covenant. We also talked through the significance of Light and darkness, day and night, as well as, Christ being the firstborn of all creation (representative of His being the Covenant authority and His place in the plan of redemption), just as Israel was referred to as Gods firstborn (cf. Exodus 4:22; Jeremiah 31:9; Isaiah 64:8) through the Law & the Prophets.
I shared the following insight as sort of commentary for our study;
“Colossians 1:16 is not about “the creation debate”. Being done “through Him” means “with the Messiah in mind”. But Paul wasn’t talking about the past there at all. He meant the civil governments that existed at the time – the Roman Empire and its subordinate regional and local governments – which the Messiah’s mission in mind. This he wrote in conjunction with the “authority of the darkness” that he just mentioned…The reader’s (of Colossians) opponents were subjecting them to rules, as though they were authorities because they interpreted the Torah. But the Messiah’s teachings are the source of all such authority – not anyone’s traditions or rules”. – Frank Daniels
We concluded out study noting how all the texts that speak of all things being created by, through, and for Jesus Christ are marking out the sovereignty of God. We also read that God brings the brighter Light to rule over the day, which is an idiom highlighting that God creates darkness, trials, and tribulation as a means of His providence for our lives. Often times the sentiment that “Without the darkness we wouldn’t be able to see the Light” rings true.
Also, I made mention of reading through and listening to the following links as resources to follow along and gain insights regarding our study;
http://truthinliving.org/sermons/Colossians_Intro.mp3
http://www.truthinliving.org/sermons/Colossians_1.mp3
http://www.truthinliving.org/sermons/Colossians_2.mp3
Be blessed, in & through His Grace,
Pastor Michael Miano