Col 2:11-12

A.  As already noted, the Colossian heresy was a mixture of pagan philosophy with Jewish legalism.

1.    Not surprisingly, the Colossian false teachers, like the Judaizers Paul confronted in Galatia, were teaching that circumcision was necessary for salvation.[1]

B.  Paul turned from the theological errors of the false teachers to their practical errors—from “Gnosticism” to legalism.

1.    The Gentile Christians in Colosse had no need to conform to Jewish rules and regulations, such as circumcision.

a)    Verse 11 again.

2.    For in Christ they had been circumcised. This spiritual “circumcision” was done by Christ, not by man.[2]

C.        Eph. 2:11; Rom. 2:25.

1.    James 2:10 says, “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles (SIN) at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” NIV

2.Rom 2:29

3.    Throughout Israel’s history there had been two schools of thought about circumcision. Some held that circumcision alone was enough to save, since it granted membership in the covenant nation.

a)    That view was wrong. [3]

(1)  Look at Rom. 9:6

(2)  “Just because someone was born a Jew does not mean the they are a true Jew.

D.   The second view recognized that circumcision was only the outward demonstration that man was born sinful and needed cleansing.

1.    That is the biblical view. From the beginning, circumcision was used symbolically to illustrate the desperate need man had for cleansing of the heart.

2.Let’s look at Deuteronomy 10:16.

a)    The AMP says, “So circumcise the foreskin of your [minds and] hearts; be no longer stubborn and hardened.”[4]

(1)  The God’s Word translation says, “don’t be impossible to deal with any longer.”

3.But lets read verse 17.

a)    The NIV says, “For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who shows no partiality and accepts no bribes.”[5]

4. What is a Bribe?

a)    1st, money or favor given or promised in order to influence the judgment or conduct of a person in a position of trust

b)   2nd, something that serves to induce or influence.[6]

E.       Well we’re still talking about circumcision. Turn to Deuteronomy 30:6.

1.    Circumcision really comes from the Lord and the Holy Spirit as we yield to Him. 

a)    God was always concerned with the heart, not with the physical rite.[7]

2.    In the book of Romans chapter 8 tells us of the work of the Spirit of God in the believers life. Turn to ROM 8

a)        Rom 8:1-2

(1)  What has made you free from the law of sin and death? THE SPIRIT OF LIFE which came by being in Christ.

b)       Rom 8:4-5

(1)  They that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the Spirit. WHY

(2)  When you’re following after the Spirit, you are letting the Spirit of God do His work in you.

c)        ROM 8:8-13

(1)  Notice that last phrase again, “but if ye do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.”

(a)   Is that what it say?

(2)   Notice that he says, “through the Spirit,” you can’t live this Christian life on your own, but with the greater one on the inside of you, you can do all things.

d)    1JOHN 4:4 says, “Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.”

e)      Phil 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”

f)      EPH 3:30 Says, “Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,”

(1)  The AMP says, “20 “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams]”—

II.    Col 2:12

A.  The phrase “Buried with him in baptism” is an interesting phrase because there are a few different views what this means, but each view is similar.

1.    1 view is that this is talking about “in baptism by the Spirit into the family of God.”

a)    1 Cor. 12:13 says, “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body.”

2.    Yet others say that this is in reference to water baptism, and the use Rom 6:4 which says, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death.”

B.  However, the important part in what follows, (Col 2:12b) “wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”

1.    We have been raised by the same power that raise Christ from the dead.

a)    Rom 8:11 Says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”

C.  Let me read to you the NIV translation of Col 2:12, “having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead.”

1.    It is with that same faith the we receive all the promises of God.     

WOLCC Thurs 6/12/03

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[1]MacArthur, J. (1996, c1992). Colossians (Col 2:11). Chicago: Moody Press.

[2]Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Col 2:11). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

[3]MacArthur, J. (1996, c1992). Colossians (Col 2:11). Chicago: Moody Press.

[4]The amplified Bible, containing the amplified Old Testament and the amplified New Testament. 1987 (Dt 10:16). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

[5]The Holy Bible : New International Version. 1996, c1984 (Dt 10:17). Grand Rapids: Zondervan.

[6]Merriam-Webster, I. (1996, c1993). Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary. Includes index. (10th ed.). Springfield, Mass., U.S.A.: Merriam-Webster.

[7]MacArthur, J. (1996, c1992). Colossians (Col 2:11). Chicago: Moody Press.