Colossians 1:17
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
What this passage establishes
Christ is before all created things and all things hold together in Him.
Why it matters in the argument
These passages identify who is revealed in Jesus: not a lesser god or a separate divine being, but the one invisible God made known in genuine human life.
Apostolic connection
Apostolic Christology holds the full deity and full humanity of Jesus together. God did not stop being Spirit; He came and acted in the flesh He truly assumed.
Common misunderstanding
Saying God was manifested in flesh does not erase Christ’s humanity, and recognizing genuine Sonship does not require an eternal second divine center beside God.
How to use it in conversation
Move from a direct identity text to an incarnation text, then to image, indwelling, and fullness passages.