The doctrine of the head

There are seven principles found in the New Testament with regard to kefalh or the head.

1. Oaths by the head were prohibited by the New Testament. In other words, you couldn’t swear by your head — Matthew 5:36.

2. Divine care and protection of the believer is emphasised by the hairs of the head — Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7; 21:18.

3. Blood on the head was a sign of taking responsibility for your own decisions in the New Testament — Acts 18:6. Blood on the head also indicates a sign of maturity because the mature person never tries to blame someone else for his own mistakes.

4. Coals of fire on the head is self-induced misery by trying to put someone else down, by trying to hurt someone else. It is a picture of non-retaliation, shifting judgement to the guilty one, putting it in the Lord’s hands — Romans 12:20.

5. Headship is also used in the concept of extreme authority, the man over the woman. The very fact of marriage means that the woman accepts the supreme authority of the male whom she loves. 1 Corinthians 11:3-10; Ephesians 5:23.

6. The word “head” is used for the rulers of empires. Heads are used for empires in Revelation chapters 13; 17:3-9.

7. But the way the word is used with maximum blessing associated is the headship of Jesus Christ. The headship of Jesus Christ is used in at least three different ways:

a) As the head of the corner Christ is the supreme ruler of Israel and the Church — Acts 4:11; 1 Peter 2:7.

b) Christ is said to be the head of the Church — Ephesians 1:22.23; 4:15; 5:23; Colossians 1:18.

c) Christ is said to be the head or absolute authority over all angels — Colossians 2:10.