Christ above all: Hebrews and Colossians answer a crowded spiritual marketplace
Hebrews shows Jesus greater than angels, Moses and the priesthood to readers tempted to go back, and Colossians declares him supreme and sufficient against teachings that added to the gospel. John's portrait of the divine Son and Revelation's victorious King make the same claim, which speaks directly to modern pick-and-mix spirituality.
What answer do Hebrews and Colossians both give to believers pulled in other directions? Show answer
That Christ is above everything else and is enough, so nothing needs to be added to him.
Who were the first readers of Hebrews, and what tempted them? Show answer
Jewish believers facing persecution, who were tempted to turn back to familiar religious traditions.
Over what three things does Hebrews say Jesus is greater? Show answer
Angels, Moses, and the priesthood with its sacrificial system.
How does Hebrews compare the old sacrifices with the sacrifice of Jesus? Show answer
The old system needed repeated animal sacrifices that could never make people perfect. Jesus offered himself once for all and opened the way to God.
How does Hebrews regard the Old Testament institutions? Show answer
Not as false, but as a shadow and preview of the reality found in Christ.
What problem was Colossians written to address? Show answer
False teachers were adding legalism, mysticism and asceticism to the gospel, threatening to dilute it.
What test does the Colossians summary give for any spiritual add-on? Show answer
If it overshadows Christ, whether it is visions, rule-keeping or self-denial, it must be rejected.
How do the temptations in Hebrews and Colossians differ? Show answer
Hebrews' readers were tempted to go back to something old. The Colossians were tempted to add something new.
How does Colossians say believers should change their behavior? Show answer
From a new identity, not as behavior modification. They put off things like anger and malice and put on compassion, kindness and love.
How does John's Gospel support the same claim? Show answer
It begins with the Word who was God and presents Jesus through statements such as bread, light, door and vine, showing him as the source itself.
How does Revelation picture Christ's uniqueness? Show answer
Only the Lamb is worthy to open the sealed scroll, and in the end he defeats the rival powers and reigns.
What should the message that Christ is enough not be used for? Show answer
As an excuse for passivity, as a reason to despise what came before, or as a tool for harshness toward outsiders.