Lesson #1 The Pre-eminence of Christ By Mike Mazzalongo

 AD – Converted on the road to Damascus. Began preaching in the North. Spent time in Arabian Desert.  35 AD – First tried to associate with disciples in Jerusalem  AD – Returned to Tarsus to teach and preach  AD– Recruited by Barnabas to work in Antioch as teacher

 44 AD – Went to Jerusalem with offering for the poor collected from various congregations  AD – Missionary journeys  AD – Detention at Caesarea because of Jewish accusations. Trial before Felix, Festus and Agrippa  AD – Trip to Rome under Roman guard  AD – Roman house arrest  63 AD – Released from Roman jail.  AD – Visited churches previously established  67 AD – Arrested and martyred in Rome

 Church est. by Epaphroditus and Timothy  Written in Rome by Paul AD  Threat to the church

 Heresy was a mixture of ideas and seen as a “new” and “higher” form of Christianity  Some features:  Worship of angels  Observance of Jewish laws/customs  Superseded the teachings of Christ  Paul answers by presenting Christ and all His attributes as pre-eminent

1. Salutation – 1: Christ: pre-eminent in relationships – 1: Christ: pre-eminent in doctrine – 2: Christ: pre-eminent in ethics – 3:1-4:1 5. Conclusion and greetings – 4:2-18