Colossians 1:15-19 The Deity of Christ

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, [Colossians 1:15-19 NASB]

The deity of Jesus is firmly established in this and other verses in the Bible. Jesus said of Himself, "He who has seen Me has seen the Father." [John 14:9 NASB] The apostle John wrote;

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. [John 1:1-3 NASB]

Jesus said,

“Your father Abraham rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.” So the Jews said to Him, “You are not yet fifty years old, and have You seen Abraham?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was born, I am.” Therefore they picked up stones to throw at Him, but Jesus hid Himself and went out of the temple. [John 8:56-59 NASB]

When Jesus said, "I am," he was recalling the account from Exodus;

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM”; and He said, “Thus you shall say to the sons of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” [Exodus 3:14 NASB]

In the Hebrew, I AM is the root for the name Yahweh. In essence, Jesus told the Jews, "I AM Yahweh." They understood exactly what He meant, which is why they tried to kill Him.

As God, Jesus created all things. In the physical world that includes the earth and everything on it, the moon, the planets, the sun and all the stars in infinite space. In the spiritual world, that means He created all of the angels and demons. Not only is He the creator, but He is preeminent and dominant over all of creation. Even the demons, who are in rebellion against God, will bow the knee to Him.

Paul wrote the letter to the Colossians in response to heretical teaching which diminished Christ, and worshiped angels. They were teaching that Jesus was just one of pantheon of spirits and angels. Since there was only one Jesus, and many angels, then you were more likely to be heard if you prayed to the angels. They, in turn, would intercede on your behalf to God.

Paul addresses the heresy more directly later in the letter, but here he is establishing the identity of Jesus. He is God. Not one of many, and not a created being like the angels, but the Creator of the whole universe.

It is a common tactic with heretical teaching, and with cults, to attack the identity of God. Some deny the triune nature of God; that there are three persons and only one God. With their limited natural reasoning they say, "I don't understand it, therefore it can't be true." Some admit the deity of Jesus, but deny that He came in the flesh, as a man, thus nullifying His sacrifice. The most common attack is to deny the deity of Christ. They say that he was just a good man, or a prophet, or delusional.

For the Christian, it comes down to this: do you believe the Bible? The Bible teaches that Jesus is God, therefore we believe it.

We know this about Jesus: He is God, and has existed eternally as God. He came in the flesh, born of the virgin Mary, He lived a sinless life, though He was tempted in every way as we are. He gave His life as a sacrifice to pay the penalty for our sins. On the third day, he rose again, and was seen by many witnesses. He ascended to the throne of God, where He sits today. And one day, He will return to physically rule on earth from His throne in Jerusalem. This is the gospel - the good news.

Lord Jesus, I thank You that You came in the flesh to live among us. Thank You for revealing the Father to us. Lord, You are glorious; I delight in Your presence. I praise and worship Your name which is above every name.