my day to lead the Church at Colossae class at church - notes

Church at Colossae – Colossians 1:5b-10

Background

Although Colossae’s population was mainly Gentile, there was a large Jewish settlement dating from the days of Antiochus the Great (223-187 BC). Colossae’s mixed population of Jews and Gentiles manifested both in the composition of the church and in the heresy that plagued it, which contained elements of both Jewish legalism and pagan mysticism.

The Church at Colossae began during Paul’s 3 yr ministry at Ephesus. Its founder was not Paul, who had never been there (Col 2:1); but Epaphrus (1:5-7). Epaphrus apparently was saved during a visit to Ephesus (see Acts 19 in 53-55 AD), then likely started the church in Colossae when he returned home. Several years after the Colossian Church was founded, a dangerous heresy arose to threaten it – one not identified with any particular historical system. Epaphrus was so concerned about this heresy that he made the long journey from Colossae to Rome (Acts 28:16-31) sometime between 60-62 AD where Paul was a prisoner, (That is why its called one of Paul’s Prison Epistles). Paul bears witness to Epaphras’ struggling in his prayers for Colossae and his work of service there and in Laodicea and Hierapolis. (Colossians 4:12-13)

So the heresy, its funny today how few Christians or Churches talk about heresy today since many of the NT Epistles were written specifically because of heresies, and not only the Bible - but all classic Christian Creeds and Confessions were written to refute Heretics who were influencing the Church and corrupting the faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9 ESV)- “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” The Colossian heresy was a philosophy that mixed Grace with works, obedience to ceremonial rituals of the OT, rigid asceticism, worship of spiritual powers/angels, and mystical experiences. I don’t know if this surprises you but many parts of this old heresy are still in vogue in American Churches today: Examples would be the Church of Christ – who make Baptism a good work you do to earn your salvation, Messianic Jews - require circumcision, some ascetics – which say that being wealthy or even having material luxuries is inherently bad, some Catholic practices like prayers to angels – angel charms – angel worship, some Pentecostal experiences – which say you have to speak in tongues or be slain in the spirit to be “really saved”.

Read Colossians 1:5b-10

Verse 1:6 – The worldwide proclamation of the Gospel (Read Luke 24:45-47 - the proclamation of repentance and the forgiveness of sins won in Jesus is for all nations) this Gospel had already reached Rome –which was seen as the whole of the known world or the whole civilized world in its time and this meant that the Gospel was already going forth everywhere because it had already invaded Rome. The Gospel was never meant to be only for ethnic Jews, God’s promise to Abraham was that the blessing will go forward to all peoples – “And in you (Abraham) all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” -Genesis 12:3 and Daniel 7:14 and Revelations 5:9 - also both say to all peoples, languages and nations

Verse 1:6

Does bearing fruit here in vs. 6 refer to people being saved? Yes, I think so.

Verse 1:9

How can we acquire the knowledge of God’s will, spiritual wisdom and understanding today?

Both of these come by the Holy Spirit and through Scripture.

Verse 1:10

Now walk worthy – so live in away that is consistent with being a Christian.

How would we decide what a worthy way to live our lives would be - if we didn’t have Scripture? It would be very subjective wouldn’t it?   

Galatians 5:19-25 – cover the Fruits of the Flesh vs Fruits of the Spirit

How should we be bearing fruit today – lead people to Christ, praise God, be generous, live a Godly life, display holiness, have a deepening love for God’s Word, obedience, expanding faith, greater love for others.

In closing

Before we go another side note does anyone know who delivered the letter from Paul to the Colossae Church – hint its not Epaphras – it was Tychicus who was accompanying the runaway slave Onesimus back to his master Philemon, who was a member of this Colossian Church. So while spending time in the Word this week read that quick letter to Philemon as well as it would have come along side this letter from Paul to the Colossae church.