January 14, 2018

Complete in Christ

Speaker: Matt Becker Scripture: Colossians 2:11–15

Though the church at Colossae was not started by Paul, he cared greatly for the Colossian Christians. This is evidenced by the endless prayers he makes for their spiritual growth (Colossians 1:9-12). 

Consequently, he was greatly concerned by reports of false doctrines being disseminated among the flock of Christ in Colossae. Perhaps, proponents of legalistic Judaism had informed the church that human efforts were needed in conjunction with Christ’s work on the Cross in order to complete their salvation. This heresy was addressed squarely by Paul in Colossians 2:11-15. In these verses, he gives four reasons to show our completeness in Christ through actions that Christ Himself had already accomplished for us.

The Holy Spirit, through Paul, informs us that believers are complete in Christ through…

  1. Christ’s circumcision. (Colossians 2:11)
  2. Christ’s baptism and resurrection. (Colossians 2:12)
  3. Christ’s propitiatory atonement. (Colossians 2:13,14)
  4. Christ’s triumphant victory. (Colossians 2:15)