Page Three: “Who Is The Head of the Church?” 10/21/2012
This is a picture of a cornerstone of a building known as the Cathedral of Saint Paul in Macau, China in 1602.
George Washington, for example, laid the cornerstone for the Capitol Building in Washington, DC in 1793. Benjamin Franklin laid the cornerstone for the State House in Philadelphia, PA. Now, the Bible teaching on the Cornerstone compares Jesus to those early days of laying cornerstones for buildings. Every measurement; every decision, every aspect of the building was keyed to the Cornerstone. So, in essence, the Cornerstone was really the Foundation for the building. And, as everyone knows, the foundation for any building is critical to its stability and durability. Folks, God laid the foundation of His building in Someone, not something. He laid it in an Eternal Someone, Someone Whose life could be the basis for the most reliable foundation in existence. And that Someone is Jesus Christ. And that building is His Church. First, then, Jesus is the Cornerstone of the most magnificent and marvelous building in the universe; the Church. Jesus is the Cornerstone of the most prestigious and wonderful building ever constructed. And, it’s totally spiritual. The Church, as presented in the Word of God, is not a physical structure. Second, Jesus is Absolute Authority over His Church. There is no Person apart from Jesus Who is the Head. There is no Bishop or Pastor or Elder or Pope or human leader inside the LORD’s Church that is the Head. Here in Colossians chapter one Paul presents Jesus Christ simply as the highest authority. What He, Jesus, says goes; period. It’s like Paul is asking “Who is this Jesus Christ?” And you see his answer in verses thirteen through seventeen. And if Jesus is Who Paul presents to us here, you can see why he wants these Christians to know Who He is in relation to the Church. |
And he gives to us the answer in perfect truth. Verse eighteen again. (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. (19) For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;…”
Jesus, according to both the OT and the NT, is the Cornerstone for God’s building. But even more so, Jesus is the Head, not of an earthly building or an earthly entity; but He is the Head of a body. Paul wrote the very same thing to the Church at Ephesus. Ephesians 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church, (23) Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.” The Scriptural teaching of the Headship of Christ is very powerful. And here it is. Jesus came into this world to take up His role as Head over the Church. Jesus came here to accomplish a specific goal. It was to pay sin’s penalty completely and finally. Then, once the offering of His body was accepted in Heaven on our behalf, then, He rose from the dead. From the moment Jesus rose, He became Head over all things. Ephesians 1:22 “And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,…” No one in Heaven or on earth has a higher position than that of the Son of God. Jesus is Head over all. And according to Paul’s teaching in Hebrews, Jesus has not and cannot change. Hebrews 13:8 “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.” As Head, He’s in charge. He knows what to do and how it is to be done. As Head, He directs. As Head, He deserves our attention. The government is upon His shoulders. Practically speaking, if we don’t like His way, all anyone can say is “so what.” As Head, Jesus has both authority and power to do all He pleases. As Head, Jesus is total LORD. He is Supreme. |