A study on heresy


Book of Colossians


Author: The apostle Paul was the principal writer of the book of Colossians (Colossians 1:13). Credit is also given to Timothy (Colossians 1:1).


Date of Writing: The Book of Colossians was probably written between 58-62 AD


Purpose of Writing: The Book of Colossians is a mini course on ethics, addressed to each of the areas of the Christian life. Paul goes from the individual life to home life and family, from work, to the way we treat others. The theme of this book is the sufficiency of our Lord, Jesus Christ, to meet our needs in each area.


Key Verses: Colossians 1:15-16, "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible; whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things were created through him and for him. "


Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."


Colossians 3:12-13, "Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another. For as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. "


Colossians 4:5-6, "Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. "


Brief Summary: Colossians was written expressly to override the heresy that had arisen in Colossae, which threatened the existence of the church. While we do not know what was said to Paul, this letter is your answer.


We can summarize, based on Paul's answer, that he was dealing with a misperception of Christ (His real and true human nature and the lack of acceptance of His full deity.) Paul seems to also dispute about the "Jewish" emphasis on circumcision and traditions (Colossians 2:8-11; 3:11). Apparently the heresy of Gnosticism came-Jewish or a mixture between the Jewish asceticism and Greek philosophy (The Stoics). He does an amazing job in pointing out the sufficiency of Christ.


The book of Colossians contains doctrinal statements about the deity of Christ and the false philosophies (1:15 to 2:23) and practical exhortations regarding Christian conduct, including friendships and talking (3:1-4: 18).


Connections: As with all the early churches, the problem of Jewish legalism in Colossae was of great concern to Paul. So radical was the concept of salvation by grace, apart from works, for those immersed in the law of the Old Testament, that it was very difficult to understand them. Consequently, there was a continuous movement between the legalists, to add certain requirements of the law to this new faith. First among them was the requirement of circumcision, which is still practiced among some Jewish converts. Paul countered this error in Colossians 2:11-15, where he declares that the circumcision of the flesh was no longer necessary, because Christ had come. His was the circumcision of the heart, not the flesh, making unnecessary any ceremonial rites of the Old Testament (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6, Jeremiah 4:4, 9:26; Acts 7:51, Romans 2:29 ).


Practical Application: Although Paul covers many areas, the basic application for us today is the total and complete sufficiency of Christ in our lives, for our salvation and for our sanctification. We must know and understand the gospel, in order not to be misled by subtle forms of legalism and heresy. We must be on guard for any deviation that minimizes the greatness of Christ as Lord and Savior. Any "religion" that seeks to equate itself with truth, using books that claim to be on equal authority with the Bible, or who combine human effort with divine accomplishment in salvation, should be avoided. Other religions can not be combined with, or added to Christianity. Christ gives us the absolute standards of moral behavior. Christianity is a family, a way of life and a relationship, not a religion. The works of God, astrology, occultism and horoscopes do not show us the ways of God. Only Christ does. His will is revealed in His Word.  It is His love letter to us.  We should get to know it!