Truth is only in Christ
Truth is only in Christ
PREVENTION IS BETTER THAN CURE
WHEN A PROBLEM ARISES IT NEEDS TO BE DEALT WITH THEN
AND THERE IN THE BACKGROUND OF THE NEW TESTAMENT THEIR WERE 2 THREATS TO
THE CHRISTIAN FAITH
THE WORLD OF JEWISH THOUGHT AND BELIEF
THE WORLD OF GREEK THOUGHT ANDBELIEF
Book of Colossians
| CHRIST IS THE ANSWER TO HUMAN PHILOSOPHY | (2:1-10) | Read Below: |
| Paul’s reasons why the Colossians should not worry about these false doctrines | {1} In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3) | 002:003 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. |
| {2} In Him dwells the fullness of the Godhead bodily (2:9) | 002:009 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. | |
| {3} We are complete in Him who is the head of all principalities and power (2:10) | 002:010 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: | |
| Thus the teachings and philosophies of man had nothing to offer. CHRIST IS THE ANSWER! | CHRIST IS THE FULFILLMENT OF JUDAISM (2:11-17) | 002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision
of Christ:
002:012 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 002:013 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 002:014 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 002:015 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 002:016 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 002:017 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. |
| The Jewish threat was two fold | ||
| OBJECTIVE: To learn about the false doctrine that the Colossian church struggled with, and to see that Christ is the only truth. COL 2:1-23 | Christ is the truth, not Gnosticism (2:18-23) | 002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
002:019 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 002:020 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 002:021 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 002:022 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. |
| {1} The Jews always considered themselves the chosen people | ||
| {2} Judaism was based on works | ||
| The Rabbis had a saying “a man should think of himself and his fate as being in the balance. Let him do one good work more, and he would win the approval of God; let him do one work less and he would be condemned.” | ||
| Paul in this epistle taught that physical circumcision doesn’t matter any more. It was a spiritual circumcision | Old Law (Gen 17:10) | 017:010 This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. |
| New Law
(Col 2:11, |
002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without
hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision
of Christ: 008:022 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 008:023 And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. 008:024 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? 008:025 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. 008:026 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 008:027 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
008:028 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love
God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
005:006 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor
uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 006:015 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. |
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| The new circumcision (2:11-13) | 002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ:
002:012 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 002:013 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; |
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| Paul in the epistle taught that the OT had been fulfilled by Christ. He used 3 statements to tell us that in (2:14) | {1} “Having wiped out” | |
| {2} “taken out of the way” | ||
| {3} “nailed it to the cross” | ||
| NO ONE WAS TO BIND ON THE COLOSSIAN BRETHREN THE OLD TESTAMENT. JESUS IS THE FULFILLMENT OF JUDAISM | CRIST IS THE TRUTH, NOT GNOSTICISM (2:18-23)
The Greek threat- The body was completely evil and the cause of all sin Plato Epictetus |
002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility
and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not
seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
002:019 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 002:020 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 002:021 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 002:022 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh |
| The false teaching in Colossi | It was a beguiling seduction (2:4) | 002:004 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words. |
| It was something that could be called philosophy rather than religion (2:8) | 002:008 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. | |
| It was based on human tradition (2:8) | 002:008 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. | |
| It turned religion into a thing of rules and regulations (2:16,20) | 002:016 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or
in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days:
002:017 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 002:019 And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 002:020 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, |
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| The false teaching in Colossi | It issued the observance of special days, times, festivals, feast days, new moons, Sabbaths (2:16) | 002:016 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: |
| It issued a self abasement and severity of the body (2:23) | 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. | |
| Insistence on circumcision (2:11) | 002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: | |
| The false worship there involved the worship of angels (2:18) | 002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, | |
| Gnosticism- The belief that the spirit is holy and that flesh and matter is evil. This belief had far reaching effects on Christianity | {1} It made it impossible to believe in the incarnation | |
| {2} Limited incarnation- The Spirit of Jesus descended into the man Jesus and left Him again before He was crucified | ||
| {3} Denial of the full deity of Jesus | ||
| {4} Asceticism and contempt of the body became a badge of honor in the church | ||
| {5} Gnosticism effected the fellowship of the church | ||
| Paul’s answer to this... | He stated the Gospel in all its glory and splendor. The preeminence of Jesus. HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME? | |
| 1)We should have a love and concern for our brethren, regardless of their location (2:1) | 002:001 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh; | |
| 2)We should always be on guard against false doctrine (2:4, 8, 18) | 002:004 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing
words.
002:008 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit,
after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after
Christ. 002:018 Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, |
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| Paul warned them lest they be deceived, cheated, or defrauded by false teachers | Jesus warns us of this
(Mat 24:4, 16:6, 7:15) |
024:004 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man
deceive you.
016:006 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of
the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. 007:015 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. |
| HOW DOES THIS APPLY TO ME? | We need to be careful of how we worship (2:23) | 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. |
| Paul spoke of “will worship” | ||
| The different kinds of worship | Vain worship (Mat 15:9) | 015:009 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. |
| Ignorant worship (Acts 17:23) | 017:023 For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you. | |
| Will worship (Col 2:23) | 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. | |
| True worship (Jhn 4:24) | 004:024 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. | |
| Baptism is a burial (2:12) | 002:012 After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days. | |
| Baptism is essential (2:11-13) | 002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: | |
| It Saves us
(Mrk 16:15-16, 1 Pet 3:21) |
016:015 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature.
016:016 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth
not shall be damned. 003:021 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: |
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| Remits us (Acts 2:38) | 002:038 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. | |
| It is a command of God (Acts 10:47-48) | 010:047 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized,
which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
010:048 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. |
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| It washes away sin (Acts 22:16) | 022:016 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. | |
| It put us into Christ (Gal 3:26-27) | 003:026 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
003:027 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. |
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| Puts us in contact with the blood of Christ (Rom 6:3) | 006:003 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? | |
| It put us into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13) | 012:013 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. | |
| Several current religious errors are refuted in this chapter | {1} The Jehovah Witnesses concept of Jesus being less than Deity (2:9-10) | 002:009 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
002:010 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: |
| {2} The belief that baptism is not essential (2:11-13) | 002:011 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the
circumcision of Christ:
002:012 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 002:013 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; |
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| {3} The Adventist position that the Sabbath day is still observed (2:14-17) | 002:014 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against
us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his
cross;
002:015 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. 002:016 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 002:017 Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. |
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| {4} Catholicism’s view of worshiping God through the saints (2:20-23) | 002:020 Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments
of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances,
002:021 (Touch not; taste not; handle not; 002:022 Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 002:023 Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body: not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. |
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| WHAT IS TRUTH? | The truth will set you free (Jhn 8:32) | 008:032 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. |
| What is truth?
(Jhn 17:17, 14:6) |
017:017 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. 014:006 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. |
False doctrine never needs to be avoided or swept under the rug, instead it should be identified, confronted, and refuted as did Paul in Colossians 2
by: Bro Mark Little