Complete in Christ
A Bible Study from Colossians
By Apostle Aje Pelser
Based on MBTC Subject Colossians and Epistles of John for a further in depth study contact www.miraclebibletc.org

In this Christ centred book of the New Testament, Paul stresses the pre-eminence of the person of Christ and the completeness of the salvation He provides. The heresy that is threatening the church at Colossae seeks to devaluate Christ by elevating speculation, ritualism, mysticism and asceticism. But Christ is completely sufficient for every spiritual and practical need of the believer.
The two major topics are: the position of Christ (chapters 1 & 2) and the position of believers (chapters 3 & 4). The doctrinal truth in chapters 1 and 2 must bear fruit in practical conduct. Chapters 3 and 4 explore the application of these principles to daily life.

BACKGROUND
Paul wrote this epistle to combat false doctrines (heresy) which crept into the church at Colossae. Paul combated ‘Gnosticism and corrected those who trust in the works of the Law such as circumcision and keeping the Sabbath to please God. Paul turned their attention to the Person of Christ the only safeguard is to keep our eyes on Jesus Christ. Epaphras showed them how to live pleasing unto God.
The two major points of false doctrine centred on the keeping of the Law (Judaist observances of the law) and Gnosticism (in superior intellectual wisdom of a few who indulge in a specific teaching). It was necessary for Paul to write to the church to remind them of the person of Jesus Christ, to keep their eyes on Him and not to get caught up in man made doctrines.
The Judaist element came into the Christian Church through the Essene sect, who worshipped angels and revered the Name of Moses after God. After God, Moses was the most important person to them. This Jewish religious sect kept to the Law of Moses to such an extent, that they began to deny themselves any contact with the world. They forbade marriage and rather adopted children to regenerate their religious order and kept it from drying out. All things material and all practices in the material world were evil to them and needed to be avoided. Strict bodily discipline was maintained. Circumcision to them was all important as well as keeping the Sabbath. Some of these Essenes were saved, became Christians and brought their teaching into the Christian Church.
Paul combated this false teaching by contending for the universality of the
Gospel message (Chapter 1:1).
On the other hand the Gnostics also infiltrated their doctrines into the Christian Church. Gnosticism worships knowledge. They say only they had the superior knowledge and wisdom which made them perfect and intellectually superior to all other sects. This intellectual exclusiveness made other Christians feel like they had to join them and learn their teachings before they would become perfect. The obvious end result of this teaching was PRIDE. The Gnostics taught that angels participated in creation and allowed evil to creep into God’s original creation.
Paul combated their intellectual superiority by stressing the mineralogy and simplicity of the Gospel message. “Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that’ we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” (Col 1:28).

CHAPTER 1
THEIR FAITH IN CHRIST

1. God’s will must be prayed into our lives.
2. Faithfulness is a characteristic of Jesus Christ that must be
developed in our lives by submitting to the Working of the Holy Spirit.
3. Thanksgiving not Criticism.
4. Our faith must be in Christ and our love must be real.
5. Our hope is like a deposit in heaven for the future we have made
reservations.
6. The Gospel comes to you through a man or a woman. The Gospel
has the inherent ability to reproduce itself in other lives.
7. They learnt the Gospel from Epaphras. Who is learning the Gospel
from you?

PAUL’S PRAYER FOR THEM
WHY DID PAUL PRAY FOR THEM?
1. They also prayed for him.
2. He desired knowledge, wisdom and understanding to be given
to them.
3. He wanted their lives to be worthy of the Lord.
4. He wanted them to apply their knowledge and not accumulate
knowledge for its own sake.

HOW CAN THEY WALK WORTHY?
1. God’s power alone can strengthen them with might.
2. To be patient with things like trials, long suffering with people
while remaining full of joy.
3. This leads to thanksgiving knowing He qualified us to partake
in Christ’s inheritance.
4. As long as they walk in the light (1 Jn. 1.7).

HOW WAS THIS MADE POSSIBLE?
1 . He delivered us from the power of darkness and took away Satan’s
license.
2. He translated us into his Kingdom of love. We have changed
address. It takes time to adjust.
3. He redeemed us with a price.
4. He forgave us. (A Greek word which means released from
bondage.) It is finished.