Churches of the New Testament: Colossae I. Introduction A. Colossians 3:1 B. Church in unique situation 1. Younger church 2. Different sets of doctrines being presented 3. Bereft of apostolic foundation C. Despite imprisonment and relative unfamiliarity, Paul writes letter to them to encourage them and redirect them D. Let us consider the church in Colossae II. Geography and History A. Part of province of Asia, part of ancient Phrygia, modern day Turkey 1. On Halys River, 100 miles inland from Ephesus 2. Part of major highway from Ephesus to Mesopotamia 3. Laodicea twelve miles away 4. 108 miles SW of Antioch of Pisidia 5. 530 miles NW of Jerusalem B. Major Hellenistic city 1. Major wayfaring station in Hellenistic times 2. Growth of Hierapolis and Laodicea in Roman times led to fading of Colossae C. Major earthquake: 60 or 61 CE 1. Decimated entire region 2. Colossae never really recovered, perhaps abandoned at this time 3. City of Chonae built near its ruins 4. Perhaps reason Paul writes to church but no indication of its existence in Revelation D. Known for wool production, location on highway 1. Attracted mix of native Phrygians, Jews, Greeks, and Romans 2. Church seems to reflect this mixture 3. Fertile ground for Gospel III. Origins of the Church in Colossae A. Like Rome, not started by an Apostle 1. Origins somewhat mysterious 2. Acts 2:9: Jews from Asia in Jerusalem on Pentecost-- some possibly from Colossae, but such is conjectural B. Church established in 55-57 during Paul's Ephesian ministry 1. Acts 19:10: all Asia hears the Word of God 2. Directly from Paul? 3. No indication that Paul is very familiar with the Colossian brethren 4. Colossians 1:7, 4:12: Epaphras as preaching in Colossae 5. Likely, then, that Epaprhas (with Onesimus and Philemon?) heard Gospel from Paul, converted, took message back to Colossae 6. Epaphras also preaching in Laodicea and Hierapolis (Colossians 4:13) 7. Likely, then, that many others did similar things in other Asian cities 8. Thus "all Asia" hears the Word (Acts 19:10) C. Church in Colossae, then, sees its establishment and growth roughly from 55 to 60 by the work of Epaphras IV. Paul and Difficulties in Colossae A. While the church was growing, not all was well 1. 58-62: Epaphras visits Paul in prison, either in Caesarea or Rome 2. Likely informs Paul of the situation in Colossae and Laodicea 3. Paul writes letters to them by Tychicus (Colossians 4:7, 16) 4. Laodicean letter believed by some to be Ephesians, but for all intents and purposes not preserved B. Paul's Encouragement 1. Encourages brethren to grow in knowledge of Christ, walking worthily of Him (Colossians 1:9-11) 2. Primary concern is that they remain steadfast in the faith, grounded in it (Colossians 1:23, 2:6-7) C. Hellenistic/Proto-Gnostic Problems 1. Paul begins in chapter 2 to address problems in regards to Hellenistic matters 2. Christ as source of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2-3) 3. Colossians to not be deluded by persuasive speech (Colossians 2:4) 4. Colossians to avoid empty philosophy, for Christ is fullness of Deity in bodily form (Colossians 2:8-9) 5. Seemingly docetic views 6. Possible proto-Gnosticism, since Gnostics later believed such things 7. Colossians to avoid such things, holding to Christ, through whom all was created (Colossians 1:15-17) D. Jewish Problems 1. Paul then addresses Jewish matters 2. Colossians as circumcised not with hands, buried in baptism (Colossians 2:11-12) 3. While yet sinners, God reconciled Colossians to Himself in Jesus, having taken away the bond of ordinances (Colossians 2:13-15; cf. Ephesians 2:11-18) 4. What does this mean? 5. Colossians 2:16-17 makes it clear: matters of Jewish dietary restrictions, observances, are not to be bound, since they are a shadow of the reality in Christ E. Ascetic problems 1. Paul then addresses other matters, possibly related to the Hellenistic, Jewish, or neither matter(s) 2. Colossians 2:18-19: avoidance of those who have visions, not holding to Jesus, being puffed up 3. Colossians 2:20-21: no need to observe human ascetic traditions giving the impression of greater holiness 4. Colossians 2:22: such things provide no value against temptations F. Problems in Colossae, then, manifest 1. Some promote views that compromise Christian truth with Hellenistic thought 2. Others desire to bind Jewish observances and dietary restrictions 3. Some of these, all of them, or an entirely different group promote asceticism to reach greater holiness, trying to seem great by professing revelations that are in fact contrary to Christ G. We can see easily how Epaphras was overwhelmed, and a greater authority needed to step in! H. We hope that the brethren repented and taught the truth, but no information given V. Apostolic Instruction to Colossae A. Paul takes the opportunity to write to Colossae regarding matters of the faith 1. Similar especially to instruction provided to Ephesus 2. Mostly about individual conduct B. Setting minds on things above 1. Colossians 3:1-4: main tenor of Paul's instructions 2. Colossians 3:5-11: avoid worldly passions 3. Colossians 3:12-14: manifest fruit of Spirit toward one another 4. Colossians 3:15-16: peace and word of Christ to dwell in them 5. Colossians 3:17: all to be done in Christ's name, thanks given to the Father 6. Colossians 3:18-4:1: instructions to wives, husbands, children, fathers, slaves, masters (cf. Ephesians 5:23-6:9) 7. Colossians 4:5-6: proper relation in word and deed among unbelievers C. General exhortation, not to assume that these are specific problems in Colossae VI. Philemon and Onesimus A. Profitable to consider letter to Philemon in context of Colossae 1. Onesimus, Philemon's slave, a Colossian (Philemon 1:10, Colossians 4:9) 2. Archippus, member of Philemon's house, an addressee of Philemon, spoken of as member of church in Colossae (Philemon 1:2, Colossians 4:17) 3. Philemon, therefore, likely member of church in Colossae 4. Colossian church likely met in his house (Philemon 1:2) B. Onesimus and Philemon 1. Not all details provided 2. Onesimus with Paul in Caesarea or Rome (Colossians 4:9), Paul sending him back 3. Colossians and Philemon probably sent at same time, 58-60 4. Paul concerned for Onesimus; welfare; has somehow wronged Philemon (Philemon 1:15-18) 5. Philemon 1:10: Onesimus most likely not a Christian when he met Paul, converted by Paul 6. Desire of Paul that Onesimus be received back without punishment by Philemon (Philemon 1:19-20) C. Nature of Philemon 1. Paul does not speak strongly as an apostle, but appeals to Philemon humbly (Philemon 1:8-9) 2. Will repay Philemon, if necessary (Philemon 1:18-19) 3. Paul fully expects Philemon to receive Onesimus back, even with joy, since he now has not just a slave but a brother in Christ (Philemon 1:16, 19-20) 4. Also desires a place to stay, hopes to visit Philemon (Philemon 1:20) D. Lessons from Philemon 1. God does not condemn owning slaves, expects slaves to be treated well 2. Despite differences in social standing, expectation that all should be treated equally (cf. James 2:1-7) 3. If Philemon could accept Onesimus as a brother, we can accept one another! VII. Conclusion A. Colossae a tragic story 1. Earthquake in 60-61 leads to city's demise 2. Paul's complete silence on the matter likely indicates that he sent letters before or immediately after event 3. Most Colossian Christians likely moved to Hierapolis, Laodicea, or the new Chonae 4. Nevertheless, Colossae not a church of Asia in the Revelation 5. No other mention of the church B. Lessons can be gained, however 1. Realization of different people converting with different worldviews 2. Need to set aside worldviews in favor of Christ and His truth 3. Apostolic founding of a church not necessary... 4. ...grounding in apostolic teaching, however, necessary C. As Colossians needed to cease being Greeks and Jews but Christians, so we also should seek Christ above all things D. Let us observe Paul's charge to the Colossians, renouncing the things of this world and looking to that which is above! E. Invitation/songbook