This theme of one supreme, all-sufficient Leader is written in bold strokes all over the Ephesian Collection.8
And He is the Head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent….[He] is the Head of all rule and authority (Colossians 1:18; 2:10).
…that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and [God] seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all (Ephesians 1:20-23). M
Since Jesus is “Head over all things to the church,” who dares to change anything in His plan, any detail He reveals for His church? Which man, woman or spirit has a right “to draw away disciples”?9 What authority exists for creating, supporting, or even belonging to, any humanly devised division? No one has such authority, for “all authority” belongs to one Lord.10 He makes His sovereign will perfectly plain: He builds one church11 where all believers should share “complete unity.”12 He allows “no division” within His family.13 If we honestly confess, “Jesus is Lord,” we have no option but to teach, encourage and try to live biblical unity.
How firmly are we convinced that one Lord reigns, “far above all rule and authority”?14 Is our loyalty to Him far higher than loyalty to any mortal leader (including leaders that seem to us most pious and saintly)? Does the King influence us far more than traditions and friends influence us? Does His revealed truth overrule our personal experiences and viewpoints? If Jesus is Lord, if He reigns far above all else, then He certainly outranks every other influence in our heart or history, no matter how cherished. This is the conviction we must live by, and die by, if we are to be Christians like those described in the New Testament.
8. Research subject – Christ as the supreme Ruler: Ephesians 1:10,20-23; 2:20; 4:5-6,15; 5:10,17,23-24; 6:6; Colossians 1:13-18; 2:6,10,15,19; 3:15-17,24; 1 Timothy 1:2,17; 2:5; 4:6; 6:3,14-16; 2 Timothy 1:2; 2:19,21,24; 4:1,8,18; Revelation 1:5,17-18; 3:7,21; 5:12-13; 6:16-17; 7:17; 11:15; 12:5,10; 15:3; 17:14; 19:11-16; 22:3
10. Matthew 28:18-20; Ephesians 4:5