WEEK 35

CHRIST, NOW HEAD OF THE CHURCH

The Pentecostal outpouring was Heaven’s communication that the Redeemer’s inauguration was accomplished. According to His promise He had sent the Holy Spirit from heaven to His followers as a token that He had, as priest and king, received all authority in heaven and on earth, and was the Anointed One over His people.¹

“[I]n Messiah Jesus alone dwells the Plenitude of the Godhead, that He is the only Mediator, the only Saviour, the Head of the Church, the Source of life; that whatever celestial beings exist are subjected to Him.”²

“Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers.”³ “Through his sacrificial death, Jesus Christ has conquered Satan, the accuser, and has ransomed people from every nation.”⁴ “World history, including its woes and disasters, is firmly in the control of Jesus, the victorious Lamb.”⁵

“[I]mmortal God and mortal man is the only Saviour of the world.”⁶

“[T]he God of our Lord Jesus Christ seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body” (Eph 1:17,20-23 ESV).

“He is the image of the invisible God. And he is the head of the body, the church, making peace by the blood of his cross” (Col 1:15,18,20 ESV).

“Christ is Lord over all creation, including the invisible realm. He has secured the redemption for his people, enabling them to participate with him in his death, resurrection, and fullness.”⁷

“’Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Rev 5:12 ESV).

“It is impossible to overvalue Christ.”⁸

ENDNOTES

(35) King of Kings, JESUS

            1. Ellen G. White, The Acts of the Apostles (Mountain View, CA: Pacific Press Publishing Association, 1911) 39.

            2. Arthur S. Way, Letters of Paul, Hebrews and the Book of Psalms (Grand Rapids, MI: Kregel Publications, 1901, 1981) 164.

            3. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2290.

            4. ESV Study Bible, 2455.

            5. ESV Study Bible.

            6. Horatius Bonar, Words Old and New (Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 1866, 1994) 85.

            7. ESV Study Bible, English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2001, ESV Text Edition: 2011) 2089.

            8. I.D.E. Thomas, ed., Puritan Daily Devotional Chronicles (Oklahoma City, OK: Hearthstone Publishing, Ltd., 1995) 152.

            9. “ . . . he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,” (Ephesians 1:20 ESV).

            10. “ . . . in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, . . .” (Hebrews 1:2 ESV).

            11. “ . . . ‘Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!’” (Revelation 5:12 ESV).

            12. “far above all rule and authority and power and dominion . . . not only in this age but also in the one to come” (Ephesians 1:21 ESV).

            13. “And he is the head of the body, the church. . . .” (Colossians 1:18 ESV).

            14. Horatius Bonar, Words Old and New (Carlisle, PA: THE BANNER OF TRUTH TRUST, 1866, 1994) 85.

            15. Bonar, 232.