"The Sufficiency of Christian Doctrine"

Colossians 2:6–10 NASB95

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority;

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

Anecdotes and Illustrations How Men Become Infidels

How Men Become Infidels

IN one of our western colleges there was a time of deep religious interest. Many of the students were being converted but there were two young men in the college that set themselves against the movement. They agreed to meet on a certain evening and go into the college chapel and there blaspheme the Holy Ghost and thus get rid of their religious impressions. The appointed hour came and the two young men met at the door of the college chapel. One man’s courage failed him and he refused to go in, and do as they had agreed. He afterwards was converted and became a Christian. The other went into the college chapel alone. It is not known what he did in there, but when he came out, he was as white as death. He afterwards drifted into utter unbelief and became a leader in one of the well-known infidel organizations of one of our great cities. This is the way in which many become infidels. They resist the Spirit of God. They know their duty, they know they ought to accept Christ but they refuse to do it, the Spirit of God leaves them and they drift into the darkness of utter unbelief.

-R. A. Torrey

I. Paul’s stark warning against False Doctrine

A. Notice the “Who” that Paul addresses

1. Paganism

2. Judaism

3. Gnosticism

4. Satanism

i. Scientific Satanism

ii. Religious Satanism

iii. Astrological Satanism

"Elementary Principles"

TNTC - the root word is related to 'elements' in science of the ancient world (earth, wind, water, and fire). These elements are viewed by the ancient world as deities. Paul uses this word in a literal and figurative sense. Often times this word refers to these ancient deities, but sometimes Paul may be referring to the rituals and sacraments of these deities.

NAC - Not only does this word refer to science, but also the alphabet and astrology. The term stoicheia [rudiment] became known as the "ABC's." However, in some circles like Judaism they used this word to refer to the zodiac and the powers that occupied the planets. Jews, as well as Paul, referred to these beings as demons

B. Notice the “How” that Paul addresses

1. Through humanistic philosophy

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary a. Christ and His Rivals (2:8–10)

Paul is not opposed to (what we would call) ‘philosophy’ in general: literally the word simply means ‘love of wisdom’. But this ‘love of wisdom’, like the facade of a grand house which remains standing when the insides have been demolished, promises much and gives nothing.

2. Through human tradition

3. Through “taking you captive”

"take captive" - the Greek root is found also in the word "rob!" Paul is basically sharing with the church that when we give into vain hollow false teaching we are being robbed! We are being robbed of God's favor, blessing, and from true sound doctrine.

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary a. Christ and His Rivals (2:8–10)

The verb here translated ‘take captive’ (sylagōgein) is a very rare one. I suggest that Paul uses it because it makes a contemptuous pun with the word synagogue: see to it that no-one snatches you as a prey (see RSV) from the flock of Christ, to lock you up instead within Judaism.

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary a. Christ and His Rivals (2:8–10)

Hellenistic Judaism called itself a ‘philosophy’ on occasion

Galatians 4:3 NASB95

So also we, while we were children, were held in bondage under the elemental things of the world.

Galatians 4:9 NASB95

But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless elemental things, to which you desire to be enslaved all over again?

II. Paul’s standard for Sound Doctrine

A. Notice the doctrines that Paul addresses

1. Doctrine of Salvation

Christ—A Complete Saviour II. Of the Benefits of Christ’s Intercession

Christ, then, by his death saveth us as we are sinners, enemies, and in a state of condemnation by sin; and Christ by his life saveth us as considered justified, and reconciled to God by his blood. So, then, we have salvation from that condemnation that sin had brought us unto, and salvation from those ruins that all the enemies of our souls would yet bring us unto, but cannot; for the intercession of Christ preventeth. (Rom 6:7–10)

2. Doctrine of Sanctification

Sermons on Important Subjects Sermon XLIV: Christ the Believer’s Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification, and Redemption

a total renovation of the whole man: by the righteousness of Christ, believers come legally, by sanctification they are made spiritually, alive; by the one they are entitled to, by the other they are made meet for, glory. They are sanctified, therefore, throughout, in spirit, soul, and body.

-Rev. George Whitefield (Methodist Evangelist)

3. Doctrine of Incarnation

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary a. Christ and His Rivals (2:8–10)

The word translated ‘in bodily form’ can also mean ‘actually’ or ‘in solid reality’.

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary a. Christ and His Rivals (2:8–10)

the incarnation, the taking of ‘bodily’ form by God, was and is the ‘solid reality’ in which were fulfilled all the earlier foreshadowings, all the ancient promises that God would dwell with his people.

Paul makes it clear in his epistle that salvation, sanctification, and incarnation through the lens of a Christian biblical worldview are not up for debate. Paul says that in application of these doctrines we will be "rooted" and "built up" in the faith, continually being "strengthened" through application of the faith, and that the true evidence of application is through the "abundance of thanksgiving."

B. Notice the disposition that Paul addresses

1. A true Christian has “received” the Christ

2. A true Christian “walks” in Christ

i. “Rooted” deep in the faith

ii. “Built Up” in the faith

Colossians and Philemon: An Introduction and Commentary A. Introduction: Continue in Christ (2:6–7)

Christians ‘walking’ in Christ by being well rooted like a tree, solidly built like a house, confirmed and settled like a legal document, and overflowing like a jug full of wine.

3. A true Christian continues to live in Christ

i. “Established” in the faith

ii. “Abounding in thanksgiving” for the faith