Who is Jesus Christ?
q When people are asked, "Who is the most famous and influential person in world history?", many people answer, "Jesus Christ." But people have different ideas about Jesus' identity.

1. Jesus once asked his disciples, "Who do people say [I am]?" (Matthew 16:13) How do we answer that question today? How do different people answer the question, "Who is Jesus?"?

Who is "the Son"?
* Paul writes to believers, "[God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins" (1:13-14, NIV). But who is "the Son"? Who is Jesus Christ? Read Colossians 1:15-20.

2. What characteristics of "the Son" are presented in Colossians 1:15-19? How do you explain them?

* Who is Jesus Christ? Based on Colossians 1:15-19 (and many other passages), he is God in the flesh! He is supreme over all creation!

Christ is Supreme
* Apparently, the false teachers in Colosse were teaching the need to worship or placate (appease, pacify) spiritual powers in order to gain God's blessing and presence. Even today, many people attempt to placate, influence or manipulate spiritual powers to make their lives better. Other people are captive to the concepts of fate and karma.

3. In what ways does Colossians 1:15-20 provide hope for freedom from these enslaving forces?

Christ is Savior
* Human beings, in their natural condition, are alienated (separated, estranged) from God. When man sinned against God, the relationship between God and man was broken (Genesis 3). Thus mankind is fallen, and the whole creation is in disorder. Human beings need to be reconciled to God, and the whole creation needs to be renewed. Read Colossians 1:19-23.

4. What was needed for human beings to be reconciled to God, and for the creation to be renewed? (1:20-22) How did God accomplish this?

* The claim that Jesus Christ is God in the flesh is a bold claim! But it is essential to the gospel. Only God could save us from our fallen condition. To accomplish this, the Son had to enter into humanity, physically identify with us, and die in our place. This was the only way for us to be "holy in [God's] sight, without blemish, and free from accusation." (See 2 Corinthians 5:20-21)

Reflection/Application
* How do you answer the question, "Who is Jesus?" What is the basis for your answer? Do you believe the Bible's answer? If not, investigate the reasons why so many people do believe.

* Believers, are you "continuing in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel"? Reflect on this passage's answer to "Who is Jesus?" and be encouraged.

Characteristics of "the Son"
† "image (eikon) of the invisible God" (1:15). The very nature and character of God have been perfectly revealed in the Son. See John 1:18; 14:9; and Hebrews 1:3.

† "firstborn (prototokos) over all creation" (1:15). The Son is supreme over all creation.

† All things were created in (en) him, through (dia) him, and for (eis) him (1:16). Nothing was created independently of him. He is the agent (John 1:3) and goal of creation (Ephesians 1:10).

† "before all things" (1:17). The Son existed prior to creation. He is not created.

† "in him all things hold together" (1:17). He is the sustainer of the universe, and the unifying principle of its life (Hebrews 1:3).

† "head of the body, the church" (1:18). He is the ruler over his "body" (the church), and the body is dependent on him for life and power (Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:11f., 5:2).

† "the beginning (arche) and the firstborn from the dead" (1:18). He is the first to be raised in an imperishable, immortal body (Romans 1:4; Hebrews 7:16; Philippians 2:8-11). His resurrection is the beginning of a new creation order. He is supreme over both the old and new creations.

† "all [God's] fullness (pleroma) dwell(s) in him" (1:19). "For in Christ all the fullness of Deity lives in bodily form" (2:9). "God in all his fullness has chosen to dwell in Christ." (Moo, 132)