Colossians

The greatness of Jesus thrills my heart.  Yet there are many misconceptions.  I have shared this diagnostic test with lots of people and only a small number have answered correctly.  Some have disagreed with me, and I am open to discussion.  Note the key at the end of the test. Let your heart be thrilled with the greatness of Jesus!

1:15 The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

T or F   Christ was the first thing that God created

16 For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

T or F   Immaterial things were not created by Christ because things must have material to exist.

17 He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

T or F   Without the present activity of Christ in bonding the sub-atomic element, the material world would collapse.

18 And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

T or F  Christ wants to be the most important among all people.

19 For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

T or F  There are present conflicts in the unseen world as well as among humans.

21 Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

T or F  The body is the center of our conflict with God.

22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation— 23 if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

T or F  Salvation is only secure for those who live what they confess.

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

24 Now I rejoice in what I am suffering for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is the church.

T or F  Christ’s suffering was incomplete to win salvation for the total church.

25 I have become its servant by the commission God gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness— 26 the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the Lord’s people.  

T or F  A Biblical mystery is a truth that had not been revealed to previous generations.

27 To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

T or F  Christ living in believers began in reality when He was born at Christmas.

28 He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. 29 To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me.

T or F  The work of bringing people to maturity should not be stressful.

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Answer Key

v 15 … False

v 16 … False

v 17 … True

v 18 … True

v 19 & 20… True

v 21 … F

v 22 & 23a … True

v 23b & 24 … False

v 25 & 26 … True

v  27 … False

v 28 & 29 … False