The Book of Colossians
COLOSSIANS 1:1-
COLOSSIANS 1:1-
Introduction:
The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to the Church at Colosse because of the threat of false teaching brought in by professed “Christian” Jews. These men came to be known as “Gnostics” taken from the Greek word for Knowledge.
“The Gnostics claimed a special, hidden knowledge not available to ordinary Christians. But their beliefs in fact contradicted basic Bible truths!” —Mathew Henry
I. THE TEACHINGS OF GNOSTICISM
A. It was JEWISH stressing the need to observe OLD TESTAMENT laws and ceremonies.
B. It was PHILOSOPHICAL, putting emphasis on some special or deeper knowledge (Greek=gn?sis).
C. It involved the WORSHIP OF ANGELS as MEDIATORS to God, Colossians 2:18, “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,”
D. It stressed a SPECIAL PRIVILEGE and “perfection” of those SELECT FEW who belonged to this philosophical elite.
E. Gnosticism DENIED THE DEITY OF CHRIST, thus calling forth one of the greatest declarations of Christ’s deity found anywhere in Scripture.
1. He is the image of the invisible God, Colossians 1:15-16, “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16- For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
2. The fullness of the deity dwells in Christ, Colossians 2:9, For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.”
II. THE APOSTLE PAUL RESPONS TO THE CHALLENGE BY AFFIRMING THE BASIC TENETS OF THE BIBLICAL FAITH
A. He made it clear just what God is like.
1. He is HOLY and RIGHTEOUS,
2. He is JUST,
3. He is LOVE,
B. He made it clear who Jesus is.
1. The SON of God,
2. The SAVIOR of mankind,
a. The WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE, John 14:6,
b. The Bread of LIFE,
c. The Water of life,
d. The Great Shepherd of the Sheep,
C. He made it clear how we come to know God,
D. He made it clear how we can experience a vital spiritual life through relationship with the Lord.
CONCLUSION