The Head, The Beginning: Understanding Christ's Preeminence in the Church

Brothers and sisters, sometimes when we're out in the field—whether we're in the MTC, standing in a missionary discussion, or even just visiting a friend's home—the sheer scope of the gospel can feel overwhelming. We talk about the Atonement, the Restoration, the Plan of Salvation... it's a mountain of truth.

It's easy, when we're eager to share the gospel, to focus on the *parts*—the covenants, the temple, the Book of Mormon. But as we continue to study the scriptures, especially passages like Colossians, we are continually reminded that the whole hinges on one single, magnificent Cornerstone: Jesus Christ.

It’s a powerful reminder, isn't it? That everything flows from Him. It’s a truth that should anchor us, whether we are preparing for our own mission or serving as lifelong disciples right here at home.

The Chain of Authority

When Paul writes to the Colossians, he isn't just listing attributes; he’s painting a picture of an unbreakable chain of authority that stretches from God down to us. Think of it like this: Jesus is the link that fulfills every connection point between the divine and the mortal. He has the preeminent relationship with God, and He has the preeminent relationship with man.

Last time, we saw how Paul established His credentials from God’s perspective—He is the image of the invisible God, the power behind creation, the very reason for it. These are monumental claims! But today, Paul shifts the focus slightly, explaining why He has the right to hold these positions *in our eyes*, from our human perspective.

And what is the key phrase we keep circling back to? It’s about Him being the Head of the Church.

The scripture highlights that Jesus is the head because of His resurrection. It’s a profound theological point, but let’s bring it down to heart level. Why is He the head? Because He rose from the dead. That resurrection isn't just a historical footnote; it’s the divine guarantee of our own potential resurrection, the ultimate victory over death.

When we consider this, it changes how we approach our discipleship. If Christ is the Head, then our lives—our families, our callings, our service—are meant to be connected to Him. We aren't just *attending* the Church; we are being led by the Head.

This principle of Christ's preeminence is the perfect framework for our daily efforts as internet missionaries. When we are sharing the gospel online, or when we are preparing for those crucial missionary discussions, it can feel like we are selling a complex package. Instead, let’s anchor everything to the Head. Everything we teach, every testimony we share, should point back to the resurrected, preeminent Savior.

If you are feeling the weight of the gospel work, remember that you don't need to have every answer immediately. Just point them to the Head. He has everything!

A Bite of Preparation

For those of us who are in mission prep, I want to leave you with this thought: When you feel nervous before a talk or a lesson, don't try to memorize every perfect word. Instead, remember the *source* of the power—the resurrected Christ. Let the Spirit guide your focus back to Him, and the words will follow naturally. That’s the gospel in action.

If you want to dive deeper into how Paul builds this argument, I highly recommend watching this lesson on Colossians 1:18b-29.

As always, the best way to deepen our understanding is together. If you’re looking for a place to study the scriptures with others, check out the Book Club options in HolyPlaces. Or, if you're ready to wrestle with some tough doctrinal questions, I encourage you to use Davee. He’s ready to walk you through the hard questions an investigator might ask about Christ’s role!

What are you studying this week? Drop a comment below, or join us for our free weekly Disciple Challenge!