Christ as the Image of God

 

Christ as the Image of God

Hebrews 1:3 Who is the radiance of God's glory and the imprint of his essence, sustaining and carrying away all things by the word of his power; and having accomplished purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high;

Col 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.

 

Item	Content	Related Scripture
Definition	• Christ is the effulgence of God's glory • The exact imprint of God's essence • The expression of God's image • The visible image of the invisible God	• Heb 1:3 "Who being the effulgence of His glory and the express image of His substance" • Col 1:15 "Who is the image of the invisible God"
Characteristics	1.      Visibility: • Makes the invisible God visible • Manifests God's image tangibly 2. Completeness: • Fully expresses what God is • Displays all God's attributes and virtues 3.      Essence: • Not external form but internal reality • Contains God's complete fullness 4.      Uniqueness: • Is God's only begotten Son • Unique position in the Father's bosom	• Col 1:15 "The image of the invisible God" • Col 2:9 "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" • John 1:18 "The only begotten Son who is in the bosom of the Father" • 1 Timothy 3:16 "And great is the mystery of godliness! For this is acknowledged by all: He was manifested in flesh, was justified in spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among all nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up into glory."
Explanation	• God fully reveals Himself to mankind through Christ • Christ declares the invisible God • Christ is the bridge between God and man • God's fullness is embodied in Christ	• John 1:18 "He has declared Him" • John 14:7-8 14:7 If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on you know him and have seen him. Philip said to him, Lord, show us the Father, and it will suffice us. • John 14:9 "He who has seen Me has seen the Father" • John 1:14 "The Word became flesh...full of grace and reality"
Examples	• Christ fully expresses God in His earthly living • Christ's ministry reveals God's heart • Christ's disposition manifests God's attributes • Christ's words and deeds embody God's virtues
Application	• Know God through knowing Christ • Need mind renewal to see Christ as God's image • Focus on Christ in daily life • Experience God's fullness through Christ	• Rom 12:2 "Be transformed by the renewing of the mind" • 2 Cor 3:18 "Are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory" • 2 Cor 4:4 "Christ, who is the image of God"

 

Implications:

l   Christ as God's image resolves humanity's inability to see God

l   Christ manifests not only God's external glory but also His internal essence

l   Christ is the perfect bridge between God and man

l   In Christ, the invisible God becomes visible, touchable, and experiential

 

Conclusion:

This truth reveals that Christ as the image of God is not only a theological concept, but also a key way for us to know and experience God. Through Christ we can see and know the invisible God.

 

*Please refer to the July 2024 Anaheim, California, USA training Experiencing, Enjoying and Manifesting Christ (II) Week 17 Christ as the Image of God and as Treasure