The Head of the Church

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Colossians 1:18

And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead…

I. WHAT IS MEANT BY OUR LORD'S HEADSHIP?

1. His representation of the Church as a body. At the first creation God dealt with the race as represented in Adam — hence original sin. In order to salvation, which was only possible, perhaps, because we did not fall singly, God instituted a second federation, of which Christ is the Head, the second Adam. Christians are chosen, accepted, and preserved in Him.

2. Our Lord is Head in a mystical sense (Colossians 2:19).

(1) The head is indispensable to life; so Jesus is the vitalizing Head of all His people. "He is our life." Separation from Him is spiritual death.

(2) The head is the throne of supreme government. It is from the brain that the mandate issues which uplifts the hand, etc. Thus in the Church Christ is the great directing Head; from Him the only binding commands go forth; to Him the spiritual yield a cheerful homage.

(3) The head is the glory of the body. There the chief beauty of manhood dwells. Christ is fairer than the children of men, and in Him the beauty of the Church is summed up.

3. Christ's Headship is conjugal. He is the Bridegroom, the Church is His Bride. As the husband exercises headship in the house, not at all tyrannical or magisterial, but founded upon the rule of nature and endorsed by the consent of love, so Christ rules in His Church, not as a despot compelling His subject bride against her will, but as a husband well beloved, obtaining obedience from the heart.

4. Christ is Head as King in Zion. "One is your Master," etc. To no other do we render spiritual obeisance. Martyrs have bled for this truth. Some Churches have not learned it.

II. WHAT IT IMPLIES. Since Christ is Head of the Church-

1. He alone can determine doctrines for her. It is nothing that a doctrine comes down with gray antiquity to make it venerable. All the fathers, divines, and confessors put together cannot add a word to the faith once delivered to the saints. Nothing is doctrine to the Church but what is contained in the Scriptures.

2. He only can legislate for the Church. In a state, if a knot of persons should profess to make laws for the kingdom they would be laughed at; if they should attempt to enforce them they would be amenable to punishment. So the Church has no power to make laws for herself since she is not her own head; and no one has any right to make laws for her but Christ.

3. He is the living administrator in the Church; but as monarchs often administer through lieutenants, so Christ ad ministers through His Spirit who dwells in the hearts of His people. When we search the Law Book He is their guide.

4. This sole authority must be maintained rigorously.

(1) Some would have us guided by results. It has been discussed whether missions should continue since there are so few converts. But how can the question be raised when He has said, "Go ye into all she world," etc.

(2) We are not to be guided by the times. Our King and laws are the same, and let the times be scientific or barbaric, our duty is the same.

III. ON WHAT DOES IT REST?

1. On the natural supremacy of Christ's nature. He is perfect man and God over all blessed for ever.

2. On His redemption.

3. On His conquest.

4. On the Divine decree (Psalm 2.).

IV. WHAT DOES IT TEACH?

1. Does it not make each inquire, "If the entire Church is to yield this obedience, am I yielding it"?

2. Am I in the habit of judging according to my wishes or according to the Statute Book of the King?

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