The Colossian Heresy

Dear Class,

Today to move into the books of Philemon and Colossians.

We will just take a brief look at the problem at Colossae, which is often known as the Colossian Heresy. The heart of the issue seems to be addressed in Col 2:8.
Bro Lipscomb wrote on this,"....Some of those who eagerly expressed their faith in Christ brought with them many of the cherished ideas of the time, partly Jewish and partly pagan, which they saw no reason to discard but which they were ready to defend as an important, indeed essential, part of God's message to man. They endeavoured to prove that the old faith could live with the new; that a man might become a Christian without discarding any of his principles or prejuidices. The result was that the gospel was soon in imminent danger of being submerged by a rising tide of non-Christian beliefs and practices."

There were 3 major issues:
1) Denial of the fullness of Godhead dwelling in Christ (2:9)
2) Denial of completeness in Christ (2:10)
3) Adding to New Testament Christianity the old law and human traditions (2:18,22)

Point (3) is a manifestation of points (1) and (2). As a result of perceived "short-comings" the detractors sought to embellish the Christian faith with various practices, borrowed form the old law and other human beliefs/religious practices. Some of these spiritual "supplements" as described by Paul include fleshly circumcision (11-14), dietary restrictions, sabbath and feast days (16), contrived humility/piety, angel worship (18) and ascetic restrictions (21).

Jesus, some 30 years back has already taught on the dangers of mixing the old and the new (Mat 9:16,17) and also of the Pharisees who taught for doctrine the commandments of man (Mat 15:8,9).
Those who think they know better than God, need to look no further than the old testament examples. Remember King Saul? As it had been since the beginning, and so it is now and will be forever - the only thing for us to do is just trust and obey! No more, no less! (c.f. Deut 4:2; Rev 22:18,19)

Also note in v. 2:16, 20 that we need to be very careful not to misapply them, as some have to social drinking, celebrating Christmas, etc. Paul here is writing of the old law (c.f. v.17). Furthermore, the commandments do not contradict! Drinking is condemned by God (Hab 2:15; Pro 20:1; 23:31-32). It is a perpetual social curse of every known civilisation and culture! How can one say it is not relevant just as fleshly circumcision in our profession of the faith??? As for supposedly "Christian" celebrations like Easter and Christmas, they are the very things Paul is speaking (forward) against! The "voluntary humility" that is so condemned. We are commanded exactly WHEN do commemorate Christ's death (1Co 11:26, etc). Any more is extraneous and sinful!

Let us continue to be wary of the "Colossian heresy" even today and stick to the paths which the apostles and early saints have trod, turning neither to the left nor to the right. For this is the only sure way to get us to heaven.

The Lord bless our day ahead.

in Him
Paul