Study Through Colossians lesson 5
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Introduction
Introduction
What was Paul combatting when he wrote this letter?
The Colossian Heresy known as gnosticism
Who is the head of the church? Col 1:18
Jesus Christ
What is the specific word for the placement of Christ in the church? Means highest of highs and nothing is higher. Col 1:18.
Preeminent
Who holds all things together in the universe? Col 1:17
Jesus Christ
What are the elemental spirits?
The basic principles of this world, in this context the basic principles of paganism
16 Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath.
17 These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.
A shadow of things to come. The interesting part of Paganism is that there is a slight bit of truth to it and it is intriguing. For instance the zodiak symbols align with the changing of the astrological constellations. The pyramids in Egypt and ancient land marks also allude to being tied to these ancient readings of the starts.
About 2000 years ago was the turning of a new age from aquarius to pices. Almost the exact time frame that Jesus was born. What is also interesting is that the symbol for pices is the fish. The symbol that Christians are known for. On top of that pices is the last rotation of the zodiak symbols meaning once pices ends there is a new beginning.
Doesn’t that sound close enough to scripture to make sense?
The issue is when you read further into it, the roots are mysticism and goddess worship. Which is almost exactly what Paul was battling during the writing of this letter.
18 Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind,
Asceticism
A lifestyle characterized by few possessions or luxuries. It is an attempt to focus one’s life on religious or spiritual matters and to not be distracted by things of the world. Also: Ascesis
ASCETICISM A voluntary abstention from the satisfaction of bodily and social needs, including food, drink, sexual activity, sleep, clothes, wealth, and social interaction.
Etymology
The term “asceticism” stems from the Greek word for “training” or “exercising” (ἄσκησις, askēsis). In classical Greek, this term is often used to describe people such as athletes or soldiers who engage in certain exercises to attain a goal. With time, the term “ascetic” came to denote a person who practices the virtues (e.g., Xenophon, Memorabilia 1.2.19).
The term “asceticism” eventually came to connote the practice of abstaining voluntarily from bodily and social needs for a time. The Latin term mortificatio holds similar connotations, describing the exercise of bringing to death one’s passion. Many Hellenistic philosophers, including the Stoics, believed a person who had conquered bodily desire had nothing to fear from death (see Wimbush and Valantasis, Asceticism; Flood, Ascetic Self).
The concepts of doing things to bring us closer to a higher power are explicitly shot down here by Paul. This is not just used in pagan religion, this is true in some American versions of “Christianity”.
How does Jesus say all people will know that your my disciples? John 13:35
If you have love for one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
This verse is very clear that we are not known to be followers of Christ by our attire, what we don’t eat, what we don’t drink, where we attend church.
Simply the trait of Christ is love.
Do not confuse this though with the thought that since Christ loves me, I can do what ever I want. This is also explicitly shot down in scripture. There is never an excuse to sin, but now far away we stay from sin does not make us “more holy” in God’s eyes.
Are we commanded to be holy?
1 Peter 1:15 “15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
This is the slippery slope of not being legalistic but abiding by the principles of scripture. We must have the ability to draw a line of right and wrong. But understanding the Bible does not always give us this black and white line. It is wise for a family to have lines drawn and to know why they are drawing the lines. But if someone does not choose to use the same lines, that does not make them less holy.
What makes us holy is not what we do but who is our living hope. I Peter 1:13-18
13 Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance,
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
17 And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile,
18 knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold,
According to verse 19 of Colossians 2 we are to hold fast to the Head. What or, better said, whom is this head?
Jesus Christ.
19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.
nourish
■ verb
1 provide with the food or other substances necessary for growth and health.
▶ enhance the fertility of (soil).
2 keep (a feeling or belief) in one’s mind for a long time.
We must understand all nourishment in the church comes from Christ.
Christ is what holds the church together.
The growth in a church comes from God.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Christ builds the church
The church equips the saints
The saints reach the world
This is the end and beginning of what a church is and should be. Not events, not a show, not a sermon, but a body building and growing. Being nourished not by ideology, but nourished by Christ.
20 If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—
21 “Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch”
22 (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings?
23 These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.
Application
Do not be swayed by doctrines of men, whether they are of pagan roots, or legalistic roots.
Realize that you are wholly in Christ and you do not need to prove your self to him.
Remember He is the one holding things together, and not our own will power.
You need nourished, this is only possible through Christ as the head of the church.
Guard against thinking that doing things makes you holy.