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ColossiansColossians“Christ and the Church”“Christ and the Church”

Lesson 1Lesson 1

““Introduction to Colossians”Introduction to Colossians”

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The City:The City:Located in southern part of Phrygia, a Located in southern part of Phrygia, a kingdom in west central Asia Minor – modern kingdom in west central Asia Minor – modern day Turkeyday TurkeyThey claimed to be the most ancient people They claimed to be the most ancient people of the worldof the worldA rather small, insignificant town that had A rather small, insignificant town that had seen better days at the time of this letterseen better days at the time of this letterWhen the gospel was preached there, it was When the gospel was preached there, it was subject to the Roman governmentsubject to the Roman government

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Church:The Church:The name “Colosse” [or Colossae] is not The name “Colosse” [or Colossae] is not mentioned elsewhere in the Biblementioned elsewhere in the BibleLocated very close to Laodicea and Hierapolis Located very close to Laodicea and Hierapolis (4:13)(4:13)

““Laodicea mentioned only in this book [4 times] Laodicea mentioned only in this book [4 times] and Revelation [1 time]and Revelation [1 time]

Paul and Silas preached throughout Phrygia Paul and Silas preached throughout Phrygia on Paul’s second and third journeys on Paul’s second and third journeys (Acts 16:5,6)(18:23)(Acts 16:5,6)(18:23)

And, “churches” were establishedAnd, “churches” were established4

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Church:The Church:It is possible, however, that Paul did not It is possible, however, that Paul did not establish the church at Colosseestablish the church at ColosseEpaphras was one of their members (4:12,13)Epaphras was one of their members (4:12,13)

He was a faithful gospel preacher (1:7; 4:12,13)He was a faithful gospel preacher (1:7; 4:12,13) He was with Paul when this letter was writtenHe was with Paul when this letter was written Notice the term “Epaphras…greets you” (4:12)Notice the term “Epaphras…greets you” (4:12) He also gave Paul a report (1:8)He also gave Paul a report (1:8)

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Author:The Author:Paul identifies himself as the writer of this letterColossians is one of the “prison epis tles” sent by Paul from his first confinement as a Roman prisoner about A.D. 60 or 61It was delivered by Tychicus and Onesimus (4:7-9)

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Problems:The Problems:A serious threat to the faith and stability of the young Christians at Colosse had arisen

It was in the form of false teaching about the Person and place of Jesus Christ in God’s scheme of redemption

This error had developed into a religious system that combined two schools of thought that usually were divergent in most respects

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Problems:The Problems:First, the error was laced with a philosophy of Greek originSecond, a strong influence of Jewish traditionalism had been infused into the teaching being done at Colosse

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Problems:The Problems:

In jeopardy were many of the basic tenets of the gospel:

1. The supremacy of Christ in all things in the world and in the church (1:13-19);

2. The adequacy of the divine Nature of Jesus to procure reconciliation and salvation for wicked men (1:20-23; 2:9);

3. The completeness of the redemption provided by Him (1:20-23);

4. The worthiness of sufferings and sacrifices for the gospel (1:24-29);

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Problems:The Problems:

In jeopardy were many of the basic tenets of the gospel:

5. The inability of human religion to benefit the spirit of man (2:8-10);

6. The removal of God’s authority from Moses’ Law (2:13-17);

7. The superiority of divine wisdom over other wisdom (2:3,7; 18,22).

8. The importance of observing the moral and ethical standards established through the laws of God

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Themes:The Themes:1.The preeminence and sufficiency of Jesus Christ in all things;

2.The spiritual completeness of believers in Christ;

3.The superiority of divine wisdom over other wisdom;

4.The obligations of union with Christ in the church;

5.The importance of honoring relationships with others.

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INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Outline:The Outline:

A simple outline of Colossians might be:

I.Opening remarks (1:1-8)

II. Rooted in Christ (1:9-2:23)A. Walking worthy of Christ (1:9-13)

B. Redeemed by Christ (1:14-18)

C. Reconciled in Christ (1:19-23)

D. Perfected in Christ (1:24-2:7)

E. Complete in Christ (2:8-23)12

INTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANSINTRODUCTION TO COLOSSIANS

The Outline:The Outline:

A simple outline of Colossians might be:

III. Living in Christ (3:1-4:6)A. Seeking things above (3:1-4)

B. Putting off worldly habits (3:5-11)

C. Putting on heavenly habits (3:12-17)

D. Honoring spiritual relationships (3:18-4:1)

E. Showing concern for others (4:2-6)

IV. Closing remarks and instructions (4:7-18)13

QuestionsQuestions

1. Who wrote the letter to the Colossians?

2. Where was Colosse located?

3. Who started the church in Colosse?

4. What two schools of thought made up the false teaching in Colosse?

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QuestionsQuestions

5. Who was this false teaching attacking?

6. What are some of the themes of the letter?

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