Colossians 2:20-23. Question: What makes someone a Christian?

Colossians 2:20-23

Question:

What makes someone a Christian?

Question:

What makes someone a

real Christian?

Question:

What makes someone a

really,

really,

reaallly

REAL Christian?

The Essenes

“Being much fewer in number than the Pharisees and the Sadducees (the other two major sects at the time), the Essenes lived in various cities but congregated in communal life dedicated to asceticism, voluntary poverty, daily immersion, and abstinence from worldly pleasures, including (for some groups) celibacy. Many separate but related religious groups of that era shared similar mystic, eschatological, messianic, and ascetic beliefs. These groups are collectively referred to by various scholars as the "Essenes."

(from Wikipedia)

The Essenes

The accounts by Josephus and Philo show that the Essenes led a strictly communal life – often compared by scholars to later Christian monastic living. Many of the Essene groups appear to have been celibate, but Josephus speaks also of another 'order of Essenes' that observed the practice of being engaged for three years and then becoming married. . .”

(From Wikipedia)

The EssenesAccording to Josephus, they had customs and observances

such as collective ownership, electing a leader to attend to the interests of the group, obedience to the orders from their leader. Also, they were forbidden from swearing oaths and from sacrificing animals. They controlled their tempers and served as channels of peace, carrying weapons only for protection against robbers. The Essenes chose not to possess slaves but served each other and, as a result of communal ownership, did not engage in trading. Josephus and Philo provide lengthy accounts of their communal meetings, meals and religious celebrations.

(from Wikipedia)

The Essenes

After a total of three years' probation, newly joining members would take an oath that included the commitment to practice piety towards "the Deity" (το θειον) and righteousness towards humanity, to maintain a pure lifestyle, to abstain from criminal and immoral activities, to transmit their rules uncorrupted and to preserve the books of the Essenes and the names of the Angels. Their theology included belief in the immortality of the soul and that they would receive their souls back after death. Part of their activities included purification by water rituals, which was supported by rainwater catchment and storage.

(from Wikipedia)

The Essenes

Ritual purification was a common practice among the peoples of Palestine during this period and was thus not specific to the Essenes. Ritual baths are found near many Synagogues of the period.

(from Wikipedia)

Colossians 1:13-14

[God] has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

Colossians 1:15-16

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him.

Colossians 1:17-20

And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

Colossians 1:21-22

And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him

from Colossians 1:25-28

. . . to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.

from Colossians 2:2-4

to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments.

There was a false teaching threatening the church at Colossae. We don't know what it was specifically, but we know it had four elements:

The First Element

1. Secular Philosophy/Worldview; (Godless, unbiblical, Human-centered reasoning)

Colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.

from Clinton E. Arnold

“[Paul] makes the incisive claim that this teaching is not only empty deceit but that it has been inspired by the elemental spirits of the world. [The Greek word for 'the elemental spirits'] is sometimes translated 'the basic principles' of the world and then interpreted to be something like the fundamental principles of pagan religion. . .”

from Clinton E. Arnold (cont'd)

“. . . In the ancient world, however, the [Greek term] was widely used for spirits in Persian religious texts, magical papyri, astrological documents, and some Jewish texts. Paul is likely using it here to refer to demonic spirits; it is the equivalent of 'rules and authorities' (v. 10, 15). Although the false teaching is handed down as human tradition, it can ultimately be traced to the influence of demonic forces.”

Paul: “See to it that no one takes you captive [with false teaching] . . .”

Why should we see to it, Paul? Why is it so important? Jesus unites, doctrine divides, right?

[The reason you need to see to it that no one takes you captive is that]

1. in [Christ] the whole fullness of [the Trinity] dwells bodily . . .

and

2. you have been filled in [Jesus],

who is the head of all rule and authority.

Implication: All of God is in Jesus' living body, and everyone who is IN CHRIST (Christians) have been filled with God (the Holy Spirit). Jesus is the ruler of all rulers.

“So,” Paul might say, “You need to see to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy, lies, human tradition based in demonic Pagan ritual – because Christ is filled with all of God, and you are in Christ, and you are filled with God, and Christ is the head of every demon and angel and everything. So don't listen to the demons, listen to King Jesus. . .

“See to it that no one takes you captive by . . . and not according to Christ.”

Paul might continue, “. . .And feel free to be 'taken captive' according to Christ. Let yourself be swept away by Jesus, and enjoy him. Let Jesus captivate you.”

We don't always have to be on the defense. It's good to surrender our minds to Jesus.

There were 3 more elements to the false teaching in Colossae:

#2: Legalism

(the enforcement of man-made rules that have little to no basis in the revelation of God).

Legalism is rule-making that goes outside the bounds of accurate interpretation of Scripture.

Colossians 2:11-13

In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. . .

Colossians 2:14-15

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

The false teachers in Colossae were most likely Jewish mystics (Essenes) who commanded selective adherence to Old Testament laws regarding circumcision, food and drink, festivals, washing, and the Sabbath.

Colossians 2:16-17

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in questions of food and drink, or with regard to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ.

The last two elements of the false teaching at Colossae are as follows:

#3: Asceticism (Religious torture of oneself through pain, poverty, or self-denial)

#4: Mysticism (Claiming that true enlightenment can only be reached through an other-worldly, 'higher-level' spiritual knowledge or experience)

Colossians 2:18-19

Let no one disqualify you, insisting on asceticism and worship of angels, going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Question:

What makes someone a Christian?

Question:

What makes someone a

real Christian?

Question:

What makes someone a

really,

really,

reaallly

REAL Christian?

CHRIST +

(Christ plus . . .)

Christ + Secular/Pagan Wisdom

To be a Christian, do you need Christ + the philosophy and wisdom of this world?

“Genesis 1 is true, but it's a poem. Evolution is also right.” “Sexual orientation is given by God – some people are made gay by him.” “Psychology has value - the Bible doesn't give real answers for chemical imbalances and mental disorders.” “Pharmaceuticals like Prozac are OK.” “Other worldviews are equally as valid as Christianity.” “Everyone gets to heaven eventually.” “There are no absolutes.”

Christ + Legalism

To be a Christian, do you need Christ + human-imposed ordinances?

“Don't smoke that cigarette!” “Don't drink that beer!” “Be a vegan!” “Be a vegetarian!” “Recycle!” “Compost!” “King James Only!” “You need Church on Sunday AND on Wednesday, or you're not a REAL Christian!” “Don't argue about doctrine!” “If it doesn't sound loving and encouraging, it's not of God!”

Christ + Asceticism

To be a Christian, do you need Christ + religious self-torture?

“Only by rigid fasting will God hear your prayers.” “Live in abject poverty at all times.” “Never get married.” “Hurt yourself – it will make you holy.” “Hurt yourself – it will atone for your sins.” “Eat meager portions that don't give you the nutrients you need.” “Chant repetitive montras until you are holy.” “Repeat compulsive religious actions until you are holy.”

Christ + Mysticism

To be a Christian, do you need Christ + higher-level spiritual experiences?

“You must receive the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, or you're lacking in power.” “You need to ascend to new faith levels.” “You need to be receiving visions and prophetic revelations.” “You should be seeing angels physically manifest.” “You should be seeing Jesus physically appear.” “You should be speaking in other tongues.” “You're less than us.”

In the end, all of these teachings and movements are simply evidence of Christian pyramid schemes, (metaphorically speaking).

“Do it my way – but you'll always be under meand my control. Jesus has set you free – now be my prisoner.”

Colossians 2:16-19

Therefore let no one pass judgment on you in [legalistic ways]. These are a shadow of the things to come, but the substance belongs to Christ. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on [religious self-torture] and [mystic experiences], going on in detail about visions, puffed up without reason by his sensuous mind, and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God.

Colossians 2:20-23

If with Christ you died to the elemental spirits of the world, why, as if you were still alive in the world, do you submit to regulations—“Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch” (referring to things that all perish as they are used)—according to human precepts and teachings? These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion and asceticism and severity to the body, but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.

CHRIST + ANYTHING

is a perversion of the Gospel.

CHRIST

is what you need.

CHRIST, and CHRIST ALONE.

1 Corinthians 2:1-5

And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God with lofty speech or wisdom. For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear and much trembling, and my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.