Transcript The churches of Christ in the New Testament 3 of 17 “the

The churches of Christ in
the New Testament 3 of 17
“the church in Colosse”
Colossians 1:3-8
Don R. Taaffe,
Gospel preacher,
Dunedin, Florida
October 25, 2009

We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, praying always for you, since we heard of
your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the
saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in
heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the
truth of the gospel, which has come to you, as it has also
in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also
among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of
God in truth; as you also learned from Epaphras, our
dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ
on your behalf, who also declared to us your love in the
Spirit. (NKJV) Colossians 1:3-8
The theme for the epistle of
Colossians
 And
He is the head of the body,
the church, who is the
beginning, the firstborn from
the dead, that in all things He
may have the preeminence.
(NKJV)Colossians 1:18
churches of Christ in the
New Testament – 17 Lessons
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Origin of Lord’s church
The church in Antioch
The church in Colosse
The church in Corinth
The church in Crete
The church in Ephesus
The church in Galatia
The church in Jerusalem
The church in Laodicea
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The church in Pergamum
The church in Philadelphia
The church in Philippi
The church in Rome
The church in Sardis
The church in Smyrna
The church in Thessalonica
The church in Thyatira
The church in Dunedin?
History of the church and city
 We are4:12
not sure when the church began,
Colossians
Colossians
4:13,
16
for
the
Scriptures,
does
not
said.
12
Epaphras,
who
is
one
of
you,
a
bondservant
of
13 For
I bearnot
himstarted
witnesshowever,
that he hasby
a great
zeal
for
It
was
Paul
–
Christ,
greets
you,
always
laboring
fervently
for
you
in
you,Colossians
and those who2:1
are in Laodicea, and those in
prayers,
that
you
may
stand
perfect
and
complete
in
all
Hierapolis.
 It
could
have
been started by Epaphras –
the
will
of
God.
(NKJV)
Colossians
2:1
16 Now
when this epistle
is read among you, see that
Colossians
4:12 (1:4-8)
I want
you
to know
what
a great
conflict Iand
havethat
it1isFor
read
also
in
the
church
of
the
Laodiceans,
Colosse
was
a
small
city
located
for you
and those
in Laodicea,
andLaodicea.
for as many
as have
you
likewise
read
the
epistle
from
(NKJV)
approximately 100 miles east of Ephesus
not seen my face in the flesh, (NKJV)
 Very close to Hierapolis and Laodicea –
Colossians 4:13, 16
Map Of Colosse
Map Antioch and Colosse
The Colossians world-renowned
“Faith”
 Colosse
was
known
for
their
faith
in
Christ
Colossians
1:4
Colossians 2:5
Jesus
–
Colossians
1:4,
(1:1-7)
45 since
we
heard
of
your
faith
in
Christ
Jesus
For though I am absent in the flesh, yet
I amand
withofyou
your
loverejoicing
for
all thetosaints;
(NKJV)
What
a wonderful
Could
this be
inspirit,
see reputation.
your
good order
and the
said of Dunedin?
steadfastness
of your faith in Christ. (NKJV)
 Some churches today are called: “dead
on the vine” or “lukewarm”(Rev. 3:15)
 The key element here is “trust” in Jesus. –
Colossians 2:5 (They were not faithful
one day, then unfaithful the next day. )
The Colossians world-renowned
“Faith”
ossians
1:21-23
Colossians 1:18 (about Christ = “He”)

Saints
at Colosse
Jesus
21The
AndHe
you,
whohead
once
and
enemies
18
And
is the
ofwere
the alienated
body,gave
the church,
who isin
Colossians
1:24
your
mind the
by
wicked
works,from
yet now
He hasthat in all
Christ
preeminence
– (1:9-18)
the
beginning,
the
firstborn
the
dead,
24
I now
my
sufferings
for you,
and filldeath,
up in
reconciled
22have
ininthe
body
of His flesh
through
Colossians
1:18
things
Herejoice
may
the
preeminence.
(NKJV)
my
flesh what
lacking
the afflictions
of Christ, for
to present
youisholy,
and in
blameless,
and above
 They were reconciled in Jesus Christ
the
sake ofinHis
is the church, (NKJV)
reproach
Hisbody,
sightwhich
— (NKJV)
– (1:19-23) Colossians 1:21,22
 Paul spoke about his sacrificial
Service for Christ on their behalf –
(1:24-29) Colossians 1:24
The Colossians world-renowned
“Faith”
The Saints at Colosse and the Laodicean
warned NOT to be deceived by Philosophy
but according to Jesus Christ – (2:1-10)
Colossians 2:8
 Or NOT by legalism but according to
Jesus Christ – (2:11-23) Colossians 2:20
 NOT by cardinality to follow Jesus Christ –
(3:1-11) Colossians 3:2
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church problems
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Epaphras reported to Paul, there were problems
starting in Colosse– Gnosticism had been taught.
Two main causes:
 First - The danger of their relapsing into
paganism with its immorality – Colossians 3:5 –
11
 Second - The danger of accepting what some
call the “Colossian heresy”, and effort too unite
all religions. Mixing Judaism with paganism
observing Old Testament practices and worship
of angels. -
The GNOSTICS?
They claimed to be the elite, the wise, the
philosophers, to whom was revealed a
secret knowledge which the overwhelming
mass of mankind could never know.
 Gnosticism led to two extreme, opposite
moral views:

Asceticism* (Col. 2:20-23; 1 Timothy 4:1-5)
 Licentiousness (immorality) (Romans 6:1-7; 1
John 3:4-10).
12
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Bible Authority: Acts 15c
 Direct
statement - Acts15:13-19
 Approved example - Acts15:6-11
 Necessary
inference - Acts15:12
(Acts 14:3)
 At
this time Colosse and Christians
today in our age generally agreed with
this theology.
church or individuals?
Individuals are physical - Galatians 6:13
(John 6:63; Matthew 26:41; John 3:6)
 I do many things in the flesh, that the
spirit cannot do – take medicine, eat
steak, live in a house, spend my money,
help the needy non-Christians, etc.
 The church is spiritual, just as God is a
spirit (John 4:24) – Galatians 5:16-17
 All of the work of the church is spiritual –
Ephesians 4:11-12
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NT Pattern: Work of the
Local Spiritual Church in
Colosse
 Preach
the gospel - 1 Thessalonians
1:8; (Acts 11:22; Phil. 1:5-7)
 Edify
the saints - 1 Corinthian 14:26;
(Eph. 4:11-12; Acts 11:22f; 13:1-2)
 Relieve
needy saints – Acts 6:1-6;
(1 Cor. 16:1; 2 Cor. 8-9; 1 Tim. 5:16)
Benevolence: Saints ONLY
SINGING
SAINTS
Eph. 5:19
 Col. 3:16
 1 Cor. 14:15
 Matt. 26:30
 Jas. 5:13
 Acts 16:25
 Heb. 2:12
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Acts 2:44-45
 Acts 6:1-6
 Acts 11:29-30
 Rom. 15:26-27
 1 Cor. 16:1
 2 Cor. 8-9
First problem:
Relapsing Into Immorality
Colossians 3:5-11
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Fornication – Romans 1: 2
 Uncleanness - Romans 1:24
Vile affections – Romans 1:26
Evil desires – Romans 1:24
Covetousness – Hebrews 13:5
Anger,
wrath, malice,
blasphemy, filthy language
First problem:
Relapsing Into Immorality
Paul warned the Colossians to set their
mind on things above. – Colossians 3:1-4
 When one does this we will realize, that
God is in control of our lives. – 2 Timothy
3:16-17 (1 Cor. 2:10-13)
 “do not forsake the assembling” – would
anyone dare to argue with God if he said
this out loud and clear? – Hebrews 10:25
 The rule of thumb is; most will not listen
anyway – Luke 16:31

First problem:
Relapsing Into Immorality
 Paul reminded them,
remember you are a new
creature in Christ Jesus - (
3:12-17) Colossians 3:15
 As to morality, Paul reminded
the of Colossians that they
now have Christian families –
(3:18-26) Colossians 3: 18-21
Second
problem:
“Colossians heresy”
This heresy, denied the all sufficiency of
Christ – Colossians 2:8
 For salvation – Colossians 2:12
 For overcoming the indulgence of the
flesh—Colossians 2:11
 Judaistic Ceremonialism, which attached
special significance to the rite of
circumcision, food regulations, and
observance of special days - Colossians
2:16-17
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Second
problem:
“Colossians heresy”
Angel worshiping, which detracted from
the uniqueness of Christ – Colossians
2:18
 Asceticism, which called for harsh
treatment of the body controlled it lusts –
Colossians 2:20-23
 The “Colossians Heresy”, then, was a
syncretism, that is a mixture of Jewish and
pagan elements.
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Second
problem:
Angel Worshiping
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“Angel not to be worshiped” – The 10th
Commandment excludes Worship to
anyone other than God – Exodus 20:1-6
Rome sinned by worshipping the “created”
as compared to the “creator” – Romans
1:25
Christians do not pray TO nor THROUGH
nor BY angels – Colossians 2:18;
Conclusion:
The value of this church is increases our
understanding and appreciation of Jesus
Christ.
 This great church teaches us that Christ is:
“the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE” –
John 14:6.
 Once we understand that Christ is indeed
“preeminent” and “all sufficient.” Savior,
we can live our life accordingly…….

And Jesus came and spoke to them
saying, “All authority has been given to
Me in heaven and on earth. Go
therefore and make disciples of all the
nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the
Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe
all things that I have commanded you;
and lo, I am with you always, even to
the end of the age.” Amen – Matthew
28:18-20