This study was presented in the August 2013 Bible conference in Southern California.Though Corinth was a “problem church” for Paul, how thankful we ought to be for them, for without their problems and questions, we would not have the answers and guidance provided in this wonderful letter. As with all the epistles, the challenge is to lay hold of the character of Christ. We are to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] minds” (Rom 12:2), and to “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phi 2:5).
Key verses for this study:
- “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” 1Co 2:2 and
- “Therefore purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you are truly unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us.” 1Co 5:7
Gene Cunningham - December 2, 2006
Colossians Lesson 15
Col 2:9-15 is the central passage in the Colossians epistle. Heresy provided false systems of spirituality by adding to the Gospel. We lack nothing in Jesus Christ. Col 2:13-15 Paul mentions 5 great works of God. Circumcision was a picture -- a foward looking sign -- of the results of faith (righteousness; removal of the flesh; Gen 17:1-27; Deu 19:12-16; Rom 2:25-29) in the Old Testament Rom 4:1-13. Baptism looks backward at our faith in Christ (Act 15:1-5; Rom 6:3-14).
Scripture References: Romans 6:3-14, Acts 15:1-5, Romans 4:1-13, Romans 2:25-29, Deuteronomy 19:12-16, Genesis 17:1-27, Colossians 2:9-15
From Series: "Colossians - 2006"
Paul never met the Colossians but wrote to them from a Roman prison around 62 AD to counter misconceptions of his day. It magnifies the character of Jesus Christ more than any other book in the New Testament, and counters misconceptions of our day as well. The key verse may well be Col 1:18 "...that in all things, He might have preeminence."