LETTER TO THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH

SYSTEMATIC STUDY 31
                  LETTER TO THE COLOSSIAN CHURCH                    

(PART ONE) INTRODUCTION : Colossians 1:1-14

Colosse was a city at Phrygia in the western part of Asia Minor (i.e. present day Turkey). It was located on the Lycus River and was about 100 miles east of the city of Ephesus. It was close to the cities of Hierapolis and Laodicea (Col. 4:13; 4:16).

It is believed that during the time Paul ministered in Asia, at Ephesus for two years, Epaphras was converted and took the gospel to Colosse, where he established the Church (Act. 19:10; Col. 1:7-8). It seems also that Epaphras was the one who established the Church at Laodicea and Hierapolis (Col. 4:12-13).

During this time, religious gentile and Jewish people in Colosse began to spread their erroneous believes and traditions, and greatly affected the Church. It was possibly reported to Paul by Epaphras. This was why Paul wrote the letter to the Colossian Church (Col. 2:8, 18).

It should be noted that the present day Church is facing a similar and even worst influence of various traditions, mysticism, media and worldly influence, which is influencing many Churches to adopt erroneous and heretic believes; thereby diminishing the transforming power of Christ and promoting the ideology of men. We shall consider (2) two points:

P.1   THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL BRINGETH FORTH FRUITS:

Paul, as his usual manner began the epistle to the Church at Colosse with greetings from him and Timothy. He went on to let the brethren know how he always prays for them (Col. 1:3-4). As believers, it is our prime duty to pray and intercede for one another (Eph. 1:6; 6:18).

Paul urged the brethren at Colosse to know that the grace of God comes with the Truth of the gospel. And when a believer receives this truth, he begins to bring forth fruits (Col.1:5-6).

It should be noted that it is one thing to hear the truth and another thing to receive it: To receive it means both to accept and apply the Truth in one’s life (James 1:21-25). This is why many believers today fail of the grace of God and do not bring forth fruits of repentance.

Fruits in this context mean characters that portray high moral standard. It is behaviours that show the perfect nature of Christ. It is characters that show true conversion (Mt. 3:7-8).

TO BE CONTINUED.