COLOSSIANS: OVERCOMING SYNCRETISM THRU CHRIST

Part I: Laying The Foundation For Overcoming Syncretism

(Colossians 1:1-14)

I. Introduction

A. Recent research indicates that the average American adopts beliefs and practices from approximately nine distinct worldviews, what produces a jumble of often contradictory philosophies known as syncretism.

B. The epistle to the Colossians handled a mixture of Jewish legalism, Greek philosophy and Oriental mysticism (Ryrie Study Bible, KJV, 1978, p. 1690, “The Colossian Heresy”), so it applies to the syncretism we face.

C. Colossians 1:1-14 lays the foundation for overcoming syncretism, and we study this passage for our insight.

II. Laying The Foundation For Overcoming Syncretism, Colossians 1:1-14.

A. God’s authority for overcoming syncretism is presented in the introductory verses of Colossians 1:1-2:

1. Paul introduced himself in Colossians 1:1a as an apostle of Jesus Christ. His call, miraculous spiritual transformation and commissioning by Christ as an apostle is noted in Acts 9:1-31 and 1 Timothy 1:12-17.

2. Paul possessed “special miraculous powers given to authenticate apostles (2 Cor. 12:12; cf. Heb. 2:3-4)” and he was accepted by Jesus’ disciples Peter, James and John as a true, authoritative apostle, Gal. 2:6-9.

3. Paul added in Colossians 1:1b that he was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, so what he wrote in his authoritative epistle of Colossians relative to the issue of syncretism carries the authority of the Creator God the Father Who had sent His Son Jesus Christ into the world, cf. John 3:16!

B. The evidence of God’s authority behind Paul’s ministry is reported in his thanksgiving in Colossians 1:3-8:

1. In Colossians 1:3-5, Paul expressed his thanksgiving to God the Father of the believers’ Lord Jesus Christ for the eternal hope laid up for them in heaven, which belief was seen in their faith in Christ and their love.

2. That evidence existed not only in the Colossian believers, but in all who had come to faith in Christ in the world, Col. 1:6a. This evidence revealed God’s work in them since God’s faithful, dear servant Epaphras had evangelized them and had reported to Paul the love that the Colossians had for others, Col. 1:6b-8.

C. Paul then used the divine authority given to him to minister to edify his readers that they might mature, 1:9-12:

1. He added that since he had heard of the transformation that had occurred in his readers, he had prayed for them that to be filled with the knowledge of God’s will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, Col. 1:9.

2. Paul’s concern was that his readers might apply that knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding to a holy daily Christian walk to be pleasing to the Lord, being productive in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God, and strengthened with all spiritual might in God’s power, Colossians 1:10-11a.

3. The goal Paul had in mind for his readers was that they might attain unto all “endurance” (hupomone, literally, a ‘remaining under’) that “implies not easily succumbing under suffering” in thus handling the issue of syncretism Paul would address later in the epistle. (Col. 1:10a; Bib. Know. Com., N. T., p. 671)

4. Paul also desired that his readers might attain makrothumia, literally “long temper,” a “self-restraint which does not hastily retaliate” and was needed in countering fellow believers or apostate infiltrators into the Church who might have succumbed to syncretistic elements they faced. (Colossians 1:10b; Ibid.)

5. Also, Paul hoped his readers would reach this level of maturity with joy, giving thanks to God the Father Who had made them fit to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light as opposed to the spiritual darkness of theological and spiritual error that had produced syncretism around them, Colossians 1:11.

6. The great transformation of Paul’s readers from their former spiritual darkness into the spiritual maturity he had in mind for them is based on their great positional transformation as noted in Colossians 1:13-14:

a. God had delivered these believers at Colossae from the power of Satanic darkness and transferred them into the kingdom of His Beloved Son, Colossians 1:13.

b. In the sphere of the Father’s Beloved Son, Paul’s readers had redemption through the death of Christ as testified in the shedding of His blood at the cross, even the forgiveness of sins, Colossians 1:14.

Lesson: The authority vested in the Apostle Paul to direct Colossian believers to overcome the syncretism they faced came from God the Father and Jesus Christ, and it was evidenced in Paul’s ministry and in Paul’s prayer that his readers gain all the spiritual knowledge, wisdom and maturity needed fully to overcome false syncretism.

Application: (1) May we rejoice in the authority of God that is behind the Colossian epistle for us to know how to overcome errant syncretism. (2) Based on this conviction of divine authority, may we confidently apply the truths given in the epistle of Colossians for spiritual victory over the syncretism we face.