Christ Vs Traditions (Colossians 2)

Church traditions build upon the foundation of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 3:10-15). Some traditions are like gold, silver and precious stones. Some are as worthless as wood, hay and stubble, not surviving the testing fire of God’s judgment.

Upon whom do we base our faith? Let’s discuss this in Colossians 2. What hidden mystery did Paul want them to know? Do we have the greatest treasures?

For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you, for those in Laodicea, and for all who have not seen me in person. I want their hearts to be encouraged and joined together in love, so that they may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him. (Colossians 2:1-3 HCSB)

Does deception often sound good?

I say this so that no one will mislead you with nice-sounding rhetoric. For although I am physically absent, I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see how stable you are and how firm your faith in the Messiah is. (Colossians 2:4-5 ISV)

Who and whose teachings are at the center of our faith?

As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-7 KJV)

Can philosophy and empty human traditions deceive us or be given higher priority than the teachings of Christ?

See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. (Colossians 2:8 NASB)

Who is the head, a pope, a patriarch, a reformer, a televangelist, a founding pastor?

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. (Colossians 2:9-10 NIV)

Christ Not the Law

What form of circumcision is still relevant?

In Him you were also circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. (Colossians 2:11-12 NKJV)

Were we once spiritually dead? What was nailed to the cross?

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14 NLT)

Was the cross a victory over spiritual rulers and powers?

Having stripped the principalities and the powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15 WEB)

What were the Old Testament festivals?

So don’t let anyone judge you about eating or drinking or about a festival, a new moon observance, or sabbaths. These religious practices are only a shadow of what was coming—the body that cast the shadow is Christ. (Colossians 2:16-17 CEB)

Should we be cautious of people who claim to see angels and visions?

Don't be cheated by people who make a show of acting humble and who worship angels. They brag about seeing visions. But it is all nonsense, because their minds are filled with selfish desires. (Colossians 2:18 CEV)

What exposes counterfeits? To what do they not hold fast?

and not holding fast to the Head, from whom the whole body, nourished and knit together through its joints and ligaments, grows with a growth that is from God. (Colossians 2:19 ESV)

What kinds of rules do people try to bring into the church? What are some examples?

If you died with the Messiah to the elemental forces of this world, why do you live as if you still belonged to the world? Why do you submit to regulations: “Don’t handle, don’t taste, don’t touch”? (Colossians 2:20-21 HCSB)

What is the basis of such rules? For instance, is it easier to brag about never having had a drop of alcohol than to love our enemies? Which one is a man-made rule, and which one is a command of Christ? What will happen to all such human standards of righteousness?

All of these things will be destroyed as they are used, because they are based on human commands and teachings. (Colossians 2:22 ISV)

Do such rules only give an appearance of righteousness? Are they really effective?

These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence. (Colossians 2:23 NASB)