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Understanding the firstborn of all creation

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JEFF TURNER

You may have had someone come to your door dressed neatly and ready to debate. They may argue that Jesus is not God. Often, they turn to a verse in Colossians 1 to support their claim. In that passage, Paul writes that Jesus is “the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.” Some say this wording proves that Jesus is a created being and not the Creator.

It is true that single verses can be taken out of their setting and misunderstood. When a line of Scripture is separated from its full meaning, confusion can follow. That is why it is important to look closely at the words Paul used.

When Paul calls Jesus the image of the invisible God, he is saying far more than that Jesus reflects God in a small way. The term means an exact likeness. It carries the idea of a perfect copy or full expression. Since God is unseen, Jesus makes Him known. This description points to deity, not to a created being. God is not created, and if Jesus is the exact representation of God, then this speaks of His divine nature.

The phrase “firstborn of all creation” also needs careful thought. The Greek word translated “firstborn” is prototokos. In this context, it does not refer to being born first in time. The word does not focus on order of birth. Instead, it speaks of rank and status. It refers to the one who holds the highest place, the chief or premier one.

So when Paul uses this term, he is not saying that Jesus was the first thing God made. Rather, he is declaring that Jesus holds authority over all creation. He stands above it in position and honour.

At the same time, Jesus did enter the created world. He was born in human form. In that sense, He became part of creation through His incarnation. Yet this does not cancel His divine identity. The passage presents both truths together. He is the full and exact expression of God, and He also took on human flesh.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

Living out the salvation God has given

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JEFF TURNER

Every Christian understands that salvation is a gift from God. It is not gained by effort, good deeds, or personal merit. We are saved by grace. Yet in Philippians 2:12, Paul writes, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” At first glance, these words may seem to suggest that salvation depends on human effort. They may even sound as if fear plays a part in earning eternal life. But that is not what Paul means.

The key is to read the verse carefully. Paul does not say to work for salvation. He says to work it out. In other words, believers are to express outwardly what God has already done within them. Salvation is already theirs. It has been received. Now it must be shown in daily life.

This command is a call to live in a way that matches the change God has made in the heart. It is about obedience, worship, and honour toward God. A Christian should take sin seriously and should respect the Lord with a humble spirit.

The words “fear and trembling” speak of deep reverence. They describe a heart that understands who God is and responds with respect. In Book of Isaiah, the Lord says He looks to the one who is humble, who has a broken spirit, and who trembles at His word. This kind of attitude shows true faith.

The next verse in Philippians explains that God is already at work within the believer. He is the One who gives both the desire and the strength to do what pleases Him. Because God has acted within, the Christian now responds in faithful obedience.

Salvation is not earned through effort. It is revealed through a life that reflects the grace already given. As James writes, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17

When the church must Act in discipline

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JEFF TURNER

The Bible gives clear steps for dealing with a believer who falls into sin. We are told to love that person and to pray for them. We are also called to correct and guide them. These actions seem natural to many Christians. But there is another instruction that may sound severe.

In First Epistle to the Corinthians chapter 5, Paul writes that when someone who claims to be a believer refuses to turn from sin, the church must hand that person over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh. These words can seem hard to accept, yet they are written plainly in Scripture.

I believe Paul is speaking about removing that person from the fellowship of the church. To be part of the church is to live within its care, teaching, and protection. When someone is put outside of that circle, they are no longer sheltered in the same way. Paul explains this by saying that a little leaven spreads through the whole batch of dough. In simple terms, one sinful influence can affect many others. Like a spoiled apple left in a box, the damage does not stay in one place.

There are times when people argue that such a person should remain in the church so they can be shown patience and kindness. Love and patience do matter. The church should correct gently at first. However, when a person’s sin begins to spread and harm others, and when that person will not repent, stronger action is required. If the behaviour continues without change, the church must remove the person from fellowship.

Church discipline is not meant to be cruel. It serves two purposes. First, it guards the church from harmful influence. Second, it may lead the sinner to face the weight of their actions and turn back to God. The goal is both protection and restoration.

Scripture also teaches, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.” Epistle to the Galatians 6:1

A few words about the foundation of the church

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JEFF TURNER

When Jesus spoke to Peter in Matthew 16:18, he made a statement that has been understood in different ways. He said that upon a certain rock, he would build his church, and the gates of Hades would not be able to overcome it. The question is what did Jesus mean by this rock.

The Roman Catholic Church has long taught that Peter himself was the rock Jesus mentioned. According to this view, Peter traveled to Rome and became the first leader in what would become the papacy. The church, they say, was built on Peter as a person. However, I believe this understanding faces problems when we look at what the Bible shows us about Peter.

Right after Jesus made this statement about building his church, he had to rebuke Peter harshly. Jesus told him to get behind him and called him Satan. This happened because Peter was trying to prevent Jesus from going to the cross. It would seem strange for Jesus to say he would build his church on someone he had to correct so strongly just moments later.

Peter also showed weakness at other times. When Jesus was arrested and taken away, Peter denied even knowing him. He did this not just once but three separate times. These actions show that Peter was not a stable foundation on which to build anything lasting. He struggled and failed like any other person.

The actual meaning becomes clearer when we look at what happened just before Jesus made his statement. Peter had declared that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. Jesus praised Peter for this confession because God the Father had revealed this truth to him. It was not something Peter figured out on his own.

When Jesus said he would build his church on the rock, he used different Greek words. For Peter’s name, he used the word that means a small stone or pebble. But for the rock on which he would build his church, he used a different word that means a large rock formation or bedrock. I believe Jesus was making a clear distinction between Peter the person and the truth Peter had just spoken.

Was the rock Jesus spoke about the confession itself? The truth that Jesus is the Christ and the son of the living God. He is the foundation of the church. This truth came from God through Peter’s mouth, but it is the truth itself that matters, not the man who spoke it. The church stands on who Jesus is, not on any human leader.

Our faith is not in any human being, no matter how devoted they are. Our faith is in Jesus Christ and the truth of who he is.

“For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” – 1 Corinthians 3:11

Why I don’t ‘preach politics’ on Christian radio

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DAVID INGRAM

Throughout my adult life I’ve been asked to support this or that political cause. While there is nothing wrong with standing for one’s principles, I would not post political causes I support on a website like this, or use the microphone to proclaim my political stance on on a Christian radio station. I realize there are a lot of people in Christian radio advocating for one cause or another, and that’s between them and God. But today I don’t partake in such a thing because for me, the question of whether or not it’s the right thing to do is clear. Why? Because we should do NOTHING that would push others away from the message of salvation through Jesus.

I realize my stand on this may anger some Christians. I’ve had conversations about this with people who say “Oh, you think such-and-such is OK?” or “Why won’t you speak out against them because they support such-and-such?” Now to be clear, I will speak out against people who do evil things, even political parties who do, but I won’t do so on a Christian platform that is supposed to spread the Gospel of Jesus.

How many times have you heard over-generalized complaints about Christians that centre around some extreme political position? The implication being that if some Christians are extremists, then all Christians must be? By the way, judging an entire group, Christians or any other identifiable group, based on a subset is called a fallacy of composition. It’s irrational to do so, but this is the way people often function. Here is the important part: Whatever you do, do it for glorification of God. How can you glorify God by pushing people away from Jesus?

So, am I saying to ignore sin? Not at all. I am saying that people repent of sin when they realize their focus should be on Jesus, not because I gave them a stern talking to, or because they want to be a good member of this or that political organization. Once a person has accepted redemption for their sins through the blood of Jesus, they will ask questions about all sorts of things. Isn’t this a better time to talk to them about such matters? I have yet to meet a man or woman who said they came to Jesus because someone complained about their politics.

Throughout history man has tried to set up governments based on Christianity. Isn’t this something Christians should want? History also teaches us that some very evil people who realized that the only way they can get power in a theocracy is to claim to be Christian. We have seen time and time again how their very non-Christian acts have led to bad things being done in the name of God. So-called Christian governmental leaders doing bad things is also something often exploited by anti-theists who want to convince others that Christianity is bad.

The Bible tells people how to live in a corrupt society. But can you find any verse where Jesus ever advocated for regime change by force or politics? As I write this I think of when Judas and armed men came to abduct Jesus in Matthew Chapter 26. Starting with verse 50 it says, “…Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested Him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus reached and drew his sword, and struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels? How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled, which say that it must happen this way?”

People can vote their conscience, and I hope Christians are guided in their decisions. Not guided by me, but by the scriptures and by prayer. But I don’t advocate for politics in the pulpit, or on Christian radio. The Bible’s message isn’t one of social change. It’s about salvation and the changes that come after one is saved.