Fulness of the Godhead

Dear class,

Yesterday we began on the book of Colossians. Another of the so called "prison epistles" by Paul.
The establishment of the church at Colosse was not mentioned specifically in the book of Acts. Being in relatively close proximity to Ephesus (about 160km from Ephesus) , it is probable that this work came about in the 2 year period that Paul was active in the city (c.f. Act 19:10)

This epistle shares some common themes with the epistle to the Ephesians. Most obvious being the instructions to the family in chapter 3 (c.f. Eph 5,6) One of the main themes in this epistle in that of Christ. Bro Roger Campbell gave the following outline with regard to this:

1) There is great emphasis given to His authority and preeminence (1:18; 2:10; 3:11,17).
2) He is Lord (1:1), He is the Christ (1:1,2), and He is King (1:13).
3) His blood provides redemption (1:14).
4) He is the image of the invisible God (1:15).
5) He is the firstborn of all creation (1:15) (“firstborn” is from “prototokos/ ,” a word which “is used of Christ as born of the virgin Mary, Luke 2:7; further, in His relationship to the Father, expressing His priority to, and preeminence over, creation, not in the sense of being the ‘first’ to be born”) [Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, word no. 4416].
6) By Him all things were created; all things were created through Him and for Him (1:16).
7) “He is before all things, and in Him all things consist” (1:17).
8) He is the Head of the body (1:18).
9) He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead (1:18).
10) It is God’s will that He have preeminence in all things (1:18).
11) All fullness dwells in Him (1:19); the fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily (2:9).
12) He is the Reconciler and Peacemaker (1:20).
13) In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (2:3).

Chapter 2, as we read today, zooms in on the false teachings that were prevalent in that time, also historically known as the "Colossian Heresy" (refer to devotion on 13 Dec 2011, also uploaded on blog).

Central to the problem was the refusal to accept God's plans for man. Again, even as evident throughout history, man seems inclined to think he "knows better"! What foolishness and folly! As the proverb writer emphasised twice over, "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Pro 14:12; 16:25)
Paul goes on to show, indeed we are COMPLETE in Christ (2:10). There's no need for any other doctrine or teaching and yea even that which was previously endorsed! This is the "fulness" that Paul wrote of, earlier in 1:19 and again reiterated and expounded upon in chapter 2 (c.f. v.9). In Him we have

1) All treasures of wisdom and knowledge (v.4)
Besides the manifold wisdom in Christ's direct teaching and examples, as we read of in the gospel accounts, it is through Christ that the Holy Spirit inspired the writers to pen the Holy Writ that as Paul mentioned, able to make "man of God may be perfect [or complete], throughly furnished unto all good works." (2Ti 3:17). It is through Him that we come to the knowledge of truth and salvation (John 8:31,32; Heb 5:9, etc.). It is through Him that we will finally lay hold of our heavenly inheritance (Eph 1:11).

2) Forgiveness of sins (11-14)
Paul in this passage makes it clear exactly how one achieves this. He first alludes to the "circumcision of Christ", drawing reference to the Jewish practice, symbolising the covenant He has  set into play through His death. But Paul goes on to explain - first there's baptism. Baptism is the very act that brings us in contact to Christ's death. What was this dying about? Paul wrote extensively of this in Rom 6, the basic thrust of which is found in Rom 6:2 - dying to sin. And then being raised and made alive again, out trepasses are forgiven (v. 12b,13). As Ananias exhorted a repentant Paul (at that moment Saul) in Act 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." How is Christ able to do that? v.14 tells us, because He had "took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;".

3) Unity and growth (v.19)
Here Paul gives the analogy of the human body. Similarly described in Ephesians 4:16 and earlier, rather extensively in 1Co 12:12-26, we as members of the church cannot be lawfully united and developing without the Head! Biologically speaking, the head which contains the brain is the command centre. It is this organ that regulates all the activities in the body. wherefore, being "brain dead" is often classified as death. Without which, the body cannot function on it's own, less to grow and develop. Wherefore, Paul declared "from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God."

Let us continue to lead a life with Christ as our head, Who is the author and finisher of our faith (Heb 12:2), in Whom we may finally lay hold on eternal life (1Ti 6:12).

The Lord bless our day ahead and see you tomorrow, Lord willing.

in Him
Paul

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But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ~ Hebrews 3:13
Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. ~ John 17:17

And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. ~ John 20:30,31