The Gospel (Page 2)
(as Stated in the Scriptures)

Col.1:12-23

     12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the saints’ inheritance in the light.

     13 He delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of the Son he loves,    

     14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

     15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation,
     16 ​​​​​​​for all things in heaven and on earth were created by him – all things, whether visible or invisible, whether thrones or dominions, whether principalities or powers – all things were created through him and for him.
     17 ​​​​​​​He himself is before all things and all things are held together in him.
     18 ​​​​​​​He is the head of the body, the church, as well as the beginning, the firstborn from among the dead, so that he himself may become first in all things.
     19 ​​​​​​​For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in the Son
     20 ​​​​​​​and through him to reconcile all things to himself by making peace through the blood of his cross – through him, whether things on earth or things in heaven.

     21 And you were at one time strangers and enemies in your minds as expressed through your evil deeds,

     22 but now he has reconciled you by his physical body through death to present you holy, without blemish, and blameless before him –

     23 if indeed you remain in the faith, established and firm, without shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has also been preached in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become its servant.

 

This passage is so rich and wonderful.  It strongly ties the Gospel to the Deity of Christ, since Christ must be God and Man in order for man to be reconciled to God.  This idea is inherent whenever the apostles refer to Jesus as the Christ.  Also, this passage clearly indicates that it is God, who qualifies us, who delivers us, transfers us to the Kingdom of His Son, who grants us redemption, and who forgives our sins, who also reconciles us and makes us holy without spot or blemish, and makes us blameless before Him. This is the promise for those who really believe Him, and are not moved from the hope of this Gospel.  This passage establishes the pre-eminence of Christ, his role as Creator of everything, and His rightful place in the church and the universe which He Created.