Colossians 1:17-18

The Preeminence of Christ

¹⁷ And _p he is before all things, and in him all things _q hold together. ¹⁸ And _r he is the head of the body, the church. He is _s the beginning, _t the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

1. Cross References
   John 8:58
   Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.
   John 1:1
   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
   
2. Cross References
   Hebrews 1:3
   He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.
   
3. Cross References
   Ephesians 1:22 - 23
   And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church.
   
4. Cross References
   Revelation 3:14
   And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
   
5. Cross References
   Acts 26:23
   That the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.
   1 Corinthians 15:20
   But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
   Revelation 1:5
   And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood