COLOSSIANS: The Heresy vs. the Truth

         The false teaching (heresy) found in the Colossian church was a mixed bag of various different heresies, some of which actually contradicted each other. The Apostle Paul addressed each tenet of the false teaching clearly and concisely as shown below:

 

HERESY - The Spirit is good; all matter is evil.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 1:15-20 ... “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.” (Col. 1:15-16a)

 

HERESY - One must follow ceremonies, rituals, & restrictions in order to be saved or perfected.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 2:11, 16-23; 3:11 ... “So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality.” (Col. 2:16-17)

 

HERESY - One must deny the body & live in strict asceticism ... Angels must be worshipped.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 2:18-23 ...  “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body. For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it.” (Col. 2:18-19)

 

HERESY - Christ could not be both human & divine.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 1:15-20; 2:2-3 ... “Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth.” (Col. 1:15-16a)

 

HERESY - One must obtain “secret knowledge” in order to be saved or perfected - this was not available to everyone.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 2:2, 18 ... “Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud,....” (Col. 2:18)

 

HERESY - One must adhere to human wisdom, tradition, & philosophies.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 2:4, 8-10; 3:15-17 ... “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.” (Col. 3:17)

 

HERESY - It is even better to combine aspects of different religions.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 2:10 ... “So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.” (Col. 2:10)

 

HERESY - There’s nothing wrong with immorality.

PAUL’S RESPONSE - Colossians 3:1-11 ... “So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.  Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming.”

            Up next we take a look at SINS vs. SIGNS OF LOVE. Until then, walk with the King and be a blessing.

In His Name & for His Glory,

Richard Keller

Bread of Life Ministries

Source: The Life Application Study Bible.