| | | |---|---| |1. Jesus Christ is preeminent over all creation, Lord over all human rulers and cosmic powers.|1:15–20; 2:9–10; 3:1| |2. God has worked through Christ to secure redemption and reconciliation for all who put their faith in him.|1:13–14, 20–22| |3. Believers are in Christ and thus participate in a relationship of solidarity with Christ in his death on the cross, his resurrection from the dead, his new life, and his fullness.|2:9–14; 3:1–4| |4. Christ has defeated the powers of darkness on the cross, and Christians share in his power and authority over that realm.|2:10, 15; see also 2:8, 20| |5. Jesus is the fulfillment of Jewish expectation, and Christians now share in the heritage of the old covenant people of God through their union with him.|1:12, 21–22, 27| |6. Believers are called to grow in maturity in Christ by getting rid of sinful practices and cultivating Christian virtues.|1:10–12, 28; 3:1–4:6|