[Biblemat] S:> Churches of the New Testament: Colossae

Tue Sep 25 19:57:18 CDT 2007

http://www.deusvitae.com/faith/outlines/index.html

            Churches of the New Testament: Colossae

I. Introduction
   A. Colossians 3:1
   B. Church in unique situation
      1. Younger church
      2. Different sets of doctrines being presented
      3. Bereft of apostolic foundation
   C. Despite imprisonment and relative unfamiliarity, Paul writes 
      letter to them to encourage them and redirect them
   D. Let us consider the church in Colossae

II. Geography and History
   A. Part of province of Asia, part of ancient Phrygia, modern day 
      Turkey
      1. On Halys River, 100 miles inland from Ephesus
      2. Part of major highway from Ephesus to Mesopotamia
      3. Laodicea twelve miles away
      4. 108 miles SW of Antioch of Pisidia
      5. 530 miles NW of Jerusalem
   B. Major Hellenistic city
      1. Major wayfaring station in Hellenistic times
      2. Growth of Hierapolis and Laodicea in Roman times led to 
         fading of Colossae
   C. Major earthquake: 60 or 61 CE
      1. Decimated entire region
      2. Colossae never really recovered, perhaps abandoned at this 
         time
      3. City of Chonae built near its ruins
      4. Perhaps reason Paul writes to church but no indication of 
         its existence in Revelation
   D. Known for wool production, location on highway
      1. Attracted mix of native Phrygians, Jews, Greeks, and Romans
      2. Church seems to reflect this mixture
      3. Fertile ground for Gospel

III. Origins of the Church in Colossae
   A. Like Rome, not started by an Apostle
      1. Origins somewhat mysterious
      2. Acts 2:9: Jews from Asia in Jerusalem on Pentecost-- some 
         possibly from Colossae, but such is conjectural
   B. Church established in 55-57 during Paul's Ephesian ministry
      1. Acts 19:10: all Asia hears the Word of God
      2. Directly from Paul?  
      3. No indication that Paul is very familiar with the Colossian 
         brethren
      4. Colossians 1:7, 4:12: Epaphras as preaching in Colossae
      5. Likely, then, that Epaprhas (with Onesimus and Philemon?) 
         heard Gospel from Paul, converted, took message back to 
         Colossae
      6. Epaphras also preaching in Laodicea and Hierapolis 
         (Colossians 4:13)
      7. Likely, then, that many others did similar things in other 
         Asian cities
      8. Thus "all Asia" hears the Word (Acts 19:10)
   C. Church in Colossae, then, sees its establishment and growth 
      roughly from 55 to 60 by the work of Epaphras

IV. Paul and Difficulties in Colossae
   A. While the church was growing, not all was well
      1. 58-62: Epaphras visits Paul in prison, either in Caesarea or 
         Rome
      2. Likely informs Paul of the situation in Colossae and Laodicea
      3. Paul writes letters to them by Tychicus (Colossians 4:7, 16)
      4. Laodicean letter believed by some to be Ephesians, but for 
         all intents and purposes not preserved
   B. Paul's Encouragement
      1. Encourages brethren to grow in knowledge of Christ, walking 
         worthily of Him (Colossians 1:9-11)
      2. Primary concern is that they remain steadfast in the faith, 
         grounded in it (Colossians 1:23, 2:6-7)
   C. Hellenistic/Proto-Gnostic Problems
      1. Paul begins in chapter 2 to address problems in regards to 
         Hellenistic matters
      2. Christ as source of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3)
      3. Colossians to not be deluded by persuasive speech 
         (Colossians 2:4)
      4. Colossians to avoid empty philosophy, for Christ is fullness 
         of Deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:8-9)
      5. Seemingly docetic views
      6. Possible proto-Gnosticism, since Gnostics later believed 
         such things
      7. Colossians to avoid such things, holding to Christ, through 
         whom all was created (Colossians 1:15-17)
   D. Jewish Problems
      1. Paul then addresses Jewish matters
      2. Colossians as circumcised not with hands, buried in baptism 
         (Colossians 2:11-12)
      3. While yet sinners, God reconciled Colossians to Himself in 
         Jesus, having taken away the bond of ordinances 
         (Colossians 2:13-15; cf. Ephesians 2:11-18)
      4. What does this mean?
      5. Colossians 2:16-17 makes it clear: matters of Jewish dietary 
         restrictions, observances, are not to be bound, since they 
         are a shadow of the reality in Christ
   E. Ascetic problems
      1. Paul then addresses other matters, possibly related to the 
         Hellenistic, Jewish, or neither matter(s)
      2. Colossians 2:18-19: avoidance of those who have visions, 
         not holding to Jesus, being puffed up
      3. Colossians 2:20-21: no need to observe human ascetic 
         traditions giving the impression of greater holiness 
      4. Colossians 2:22: such things provide no value against 
         temptations
   F. Problems in Colossae, then, manifest
      1. Some promote views that compromise Christian truth with 
         Hellenistic thought
      2. Others desire to bind Jewish observances and dietary 
         restrictions
      3. Some of these, all of them, or an entirely different group 
         promote asceticism to reach greater holiness, trying to 
         seem great by professing revelations that are in fact 
         contrary to Christ
   G. We can see easily how Epaphras was overwhelmed, and a greater 
      authority needed to step in!
   H. We hope that the brethren repented and taught the truth, but 
      no information given

V. Apostolic Instruction to Colossae
   A. Paul takes the opportunity to write to Colossae regarding 
      matters of the faith
      1. Similar especially to instruction provided to Ephesus
      2. Mostly about individual conduct
   B. Setting minds on things above
      1. Colossians 3:1-4: main tenor of Paul's instructions
      2. Colossians 3:5-11: avoid worldly passions
      3. Colossians 3:12-14: manifest fruit of Spirit toward one 
         another
      4. Colossians 3:15-16: peace and word of Christ to dwell in 
         them
      5. Colossians 3:17: all to be done in Christ's name, thanks 
         given to the Father
      6. Colossians 3:18-4:1: instructions to wives, husbands, 
         children, fathers, slaves, masters 
         (cf. Ephesians 5:23-6:9)
      7. Colossians 4:5-6: proper relation in word and deed among 
         unbelievers
   C. General exhortation, not to assume that these are specific 
      problems in Colossae

VI. Philemon and Onesimus
   A. Profitable to consider letter to Philemon in context of Colossae
      1. Onesimus, Philemon's slave, a Colossian 
         (Philemon 1:10, Colossians 4:9)
      2. Archippus, member of Philemon's house, an addressee of 
         Philemon, spoken of as member of church in Colossae 
         (Philemon 1:2, Colossians 4:17)
      3. Philemon, therefore, likely member of church in Colossae
      4. Colossian church likely met in his house (Philemon 1:2)
   B. Onesimus and Philemon
      1. Not all details provided
      2. Onesimus with Paul in Caesarea or Rome (Colossians 4:9), 
         Paul sending him back
      3. Colossians and Philemon probably sent at same time, 58-60
      4. Paul concerned for Onesimus; welfare; has somehow wronged 
         Philemon (Philemon 1:15-18)
      5. Philemon 1:10: Onesimus most likely not a Christian when he 
         met Paul, converted by Paul
      6. Desire of Paul that Onesimus be received back without 
         punishment by Philemon (Philemon 1:19-20)
   C. Nature of Philemon
      1. Paul does not speak strongly as an apostle, but appeals to 
         Philemon humbly (Philemon 1:8-9)
      2. Will repay Philemon, if necessary (Philemon 1:18-19)
      3. Paul fully expects Philemon to receive Onesimus back, even 
         with joy, since he now has not just a slave but a brother 
         in Christ (Philemon 1:16, 19-20)
      4. Also desires a place to stay, hopes to visit Philemon 
         (Philemon 1:20)
   D. Lessons from Philemon
      1. God does not condemn owning slaves, expects slaves to be 
         treated well
      2. Despite differences in social standing, expectation that 
         all should be treated equally (cf. James 2:1-7)
      3. If Philemon could accept Onesimus as a brother, we can 
         accept one another!

VII. Conclusion
  A. Colossae a tragic story
      1. Earthquake in 60-61 leads to city's demise
      2. Paul's complete silence on the matter likely indicates that 
         he sent letters before or immediately after event
      3. Most Colossian Christians likely moved to Hierapolis, 
         Laodicea, or the new Chonae
      4. Nevertheless, Colossae not a church of Asia in the 
         Revelation
      5. No other mention of the church
   B. Lessons can be gained, however
      1. Realization of different people converting with different 
         worldviews
      2. Need to set aside worldviews in favor of Christ and His truth
      3. Apostolic founding of a church not necessary...
      4. ...grounding in apostolic teaching, however, necessary
   C. As Colossians needed to cease being Greeks and Jews but 
      Christians, so we also should seek Christ above all things
   D. Let us observe Paul's charge to the Colossians, renouncing 
      the things of this world and looking to that which is above!
   E. Invitation/songbook

Ethan R. Longhenry/ deusvitae at hotmail.com
Evangelist, church of Christ in Norwalk, Ohio 
(http://www.norwalkchurch.org)
Website: http://www.deusvitae.com
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