1. …Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27
FALL 2018
BIBLE STUDY

2. 4 Main Reasons for writing:
The book of Colossians was written by the Apostle Paul
Colossians was written in 61 AD.
Located on the western coast of modern day Turkey
4 Main Reasons for writing:
Expose and rebut heresy
Instruct Colossians in the truth
Express his personal interest in the new believers
Inspire and promote mutual love
FUN FACT: Colossae was known for its angle cult.

3. Theme: The Supremacy and Sufficiency of Jesus Christ!

4. Colossians is an epistle not a letter.
A letter is written to a particular individual and can be on any topic. An epistle is a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject often in letter form that is meant to be read to a particular audience and has a religious or moral point of view.
Epistle Format:
Greeting
Prayer
Body
Closing

5. Heresies Paul was rebutting:
Christ is not enough. People needed spiritual beings to mediate for them.
The body is evil – should be treated harshly. This included need for circumcision.
The sun, moon, and stars are god-like beings and should be worshipped.
Angels are to be worshipped.
Gnosticism – only the “enlightened” can be saved.

6. The Apostle Paul
5 I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. 6 I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.

7. The Apostle Paul
3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.