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

2.  32-34 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  36-42 AD – Returned to Tarsus to teach and preach  42-44 AD– Recruited by Barnabas to work in Antioch as teacher

3.  44 AD – Went to Jerusalem with offering for the poor collected from various congregations  45-57 AD – Missionary journeys  58-60 AD – Detention at Caesarea because of Jewish accusations. Trial before Felix, Festus and Agrippa  60-61 AD – Trip to Rome under Roman guard  61-63 AD – Roman house arrest  63 AD – Released from Roman jail.  64-66 AD – Visited churches previously established  67 AD – Arrested and martyred in Rome

4.  Church est. by Epaphroditus and Timothy  Written in Rome by Paul 61-63 AD  Threat to the church

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a “new” and “higher” form of Christianity  Some features:  Worship of angels  Observance of Jewish laws/customs  Superseded the teachings of Christ  Paul answers by presenting Christ and all His attributes as pre-eminent

6. 1. Salutation – 1:1-2 2. Christ: pre-eminent in relationships – 1:3-29 3. Christ: pre-eminent in doctrine – 2:1-23 4. Christ: pre-eminent in ethics – 3:1-4:1 5. Conclusion and greetings – 4:2-18