Colossians 1 Explanation in Detail

Colossians 1 chapter explanation we discuss the major Biblical topics like What Are Apostles?, Which is the hope deposited in Heaven? When was Mary called the holy? Read below for more explanations.

Colossians 1:1-2

VERSE

“Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus our brother To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

WHAT ARE APOSTLES?

It’s according to God’s plan only that one becomes his Apostles. Though St . Paul & St. Timothy did the same deed in service of God still God, gave them two different positions in the Church. St. Paul gave St. Timothy the greetings of a brother even, through which he was ready to preach his Apostolic position to all.

Though St. Timothy was the Bishop of Ephesians but still when he was introduced to Colossian Christians he was called brethren. These positions are never received by one’s own will or effort but it’s according to the will of God who appoints each one to be his Apostles and also the responsibilities are received through the grace of the church.

Apostle – Greek – Apostles

The word Apostle came from the old Greek, which means “send away”. In the olden days, the Kings send their messages through messengers called “stelline”. The word stelline means to send away, to go far away, etc. They used these words according to their situations. Apostoline was pronounced by the Old Greek language, which means one who carries Before.

The word Apostle was introduced in the New Testament Bible it was more familiar to the old Greek people. Lord Jesus Christ, appointed his twelve disciples and called them Apostolos(Greek) This word meant “to preach the new message of Christ to the whole world”.

From the period of the Apostles till the present, it was followed by every church by the Christians. Peoples of Protestants who made their own church, put the word “Apostles” in front of their names. There are churches that proclaim themselves Apostolic Churches and for them to get Apostle’s name was a great deal that the scholars regarded. Followed by this they owe themselves as the great people who got direct ownership of the Apostolic church through the Apostles.

Brethren (Greek – ADELPHOS)

It’s worthy to understand Christian brethren with its other meanings too. Brethren are called to fellow believers in the church. When I adore my God with all the praises and belief and the same he also follows, then we both are fellow believers in Christ. And as fellow brethren, he is also my brethren to me. Christ is my elder brother, and we both are Christ’s younger brothers.

“And he looked round about on them which sat about him, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren” (Mark 3:34).

Blood of Christ is flowing in my body and the same blood of Christ is flowing in his body also. And For the same reason we both due to the blood of Christ, are brethren.

St Paul introduces St. Timothy, to the Colossian Christians for certain reasons. When It was proved with all written evidence that the Saints had, deep concern and prayers towards the Church, then that Church became the “Church of Apostolic “.This was done, so that Timothy would be “The Bishop” of the Colossian Church. Those who through baptism, were died and buried with Christ and carried Christ in themselves, always devote their time to prayers, and we’re called “The Saints” by the first Church.

But nowadays, in the Churches, these types of proclamations are not even, heard also. Instead, it is seen that after their death they were proclaimed as ‘The Saints’ by the believers of the Church.

BELIEVERS (Greek – PISTOIS)

How are The Believers – differentiated from The Saints and why they are called so? Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

” Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things have become new “(2corinth 5:17).

They are called Believers. In the Church one who follows as a believer, believes in God the Father and that through God only we received Jesus Christ. This is truly believed by the Believers only.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life “(John 3:16).

They strongly believed that they were guided by the Holy Spirit and also that their body is the dwelling place of God. St Paul declares them as Believers. But, The Saints live differently from others by wholly devoting themselves to God. Abandoned faith peoples never believe either in God or in the Word of God.

” Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others ” ( Esphesians 2:2-3).

Among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and of the world can’t stand in the truth of the word of God. But the true believers get themselves diverted from these desires and deeply devoted themselves to Christ. Due to this reason, they are called Believers. Newly joined members of the Church, having less faith are also there in the group of believers.

The churches which proclaim that they are the fellow followers of the Apostles of Jesus Christ are as follows

1. SYRIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

2. CATHOLIC CHURCH

3. COPTIC ORTHODOX CHURCH

It was believed that those who withdraw themselves from the Apostolic life and refuse to follow the holiness of the belief, won’t be part of any Inherent Christianity. Worshipping idols, following the rituals of other religions, getting attracted to these all & also trying to follow all the wrong rituals in churches can’t be called laying hands of the Apostolic church, which is being protested by the Protestants Church. They proclaim that those who follow the Apostolic lifestyle with belief and its holiness, are only worth being part of the Apostolic life and its inheritance. This protest of the Protestants had been opposed by other old churches of those times.

Colossians 1:3

VERSE

“We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you.”

St. Paul was a Hebrew, from the Benjamin tribe, and as to the law a Pharisee; as to zeal a persecutor of the Churches; who had studied the Gospel under the great legal teacher Gamaliel (Philip:3-5). Though St. Paul knew about the God of Hebrews, still he called Jesus Our Father, which should be remarkable.

Whatever acquired knowledge Saul had, regarding God was entirely different from that of the knowledge which he gained after being a follower of Christ. When he was Jewish he lived under the law of captivity of the Lord of Abraham; but when he received Jesus; he received the soul of the Son of the Almighty God and became his Son (Romans 8:15-16). After becoming the parts of the body of Christ; the Father of Jesus became his father too. St . Paul points out that, each and every important part was written in his epistles, so that the Colossian Christians may understand the fact.

So, for calling ‘the Father of Abraham’ as their own father by the Colossian Christians; they should follow certain rules.
1. They should become Jews by Circumcision.
2. They should be baptized as Jews.
3. They should follow the Customs of Jewish.

But St. Paul states to the Colossian Christians that they can call the Lord of Abraham; as our Father; is according to the Gospel. The descendants of Abraham -were born of the slave as per the law of flesh, but the son Isaac was born to Sarah was not according to the law of flesh but was born due to the belief of Abraham and the promise made by the Almighty God to Abraham (Genesis 17:19). As per the law of flesh Jews are still today they are the descendants of Abraham, and but Christ becomes the descendant of Abraham as per the law of prophets( prophecy by Prophets). Not even the blood of the mother of Christ was mixed with Jesus, but instead, the word was made flesh and was born filled with the glory of the spirit of God (John 1:14). Though one is born in the flesh when he follows Christ and he becomes the new creation(John 1:12,13). Though he is born in law, still God denies the law of Reproduction. The flesh is empowered with the spirit of the new creation of God, which is the testimony of the promise showered through the Prophecies of the Gospel. And through this belief, only the people of the Colossian Churches became the Son of God through Christ. And for the same reasons also, there was no regulation to become the son of the Lord one should be Circumcised or become a Jew and follow their customs. For this was the power bestowed upon the Colossian Christians; St. Paul and Timothy pay thanksgiving to the Almighty God.

Philip:3-5 “Circumcised the eighth day of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the law, a Pharisee”

Romans 8:15-16 “For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God ”

Genesis 17:19 “ And God said, Sarah, thy wife shall bear thee a son indeed; and thou shalt call his name Isaac: and I will establish my everlasting covenant, and with his seed after him ”

John 1:14 “And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,(and as of the begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”

John 1:12-13 “But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God”

Colossians 1:4-5

VERSE

“Since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the Saints. For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of gospel“

Gnostic Jews, Cosmic energy (shakti) invaded in the Colossian Churches and started preaching against Jesus so that the people may deny Jesus and his preachings. But still, many of the fellow Brother of the Churches stood firm in their faith and didn’t fall under the wrong preachings influences. And also they tried not to weaken their faith in the Saints. The preachings of the False teachers were against Jesus Christ, and also they tried to separate the people from the Leaders of the Churches. But St. Paul was surprised to view that no one was willing to withdraw their faith that was towards the Lord Jesus Christ. The Colossian Christians were made remembered that due to their strong faith put forward towards Heaven; gave them the strength to face everything without falling down.

Which is the hope deposited in Heaven?
Greek (Noun)-Elpida / English – Hope.

If we think about the reason why the Jews, living in any corner of the world offer prayers facing toward the Church; will explain the belief and Hope of Jews. In the Church of Jerusalem, the place where ‘the Ark of God’ was kept was the holiest place and believed as the dwelling place of the Lord. For the forgiveness of the sin of Israel the Chief priest takes the blood of the most pure animal; to the innermost part of the temple and when he touches the Ark of God with the blood; then people gets forgiveness for their Sins. Jews put their Hope in God as he is the one who delivers from the Sins. Before he was enlightened by the words of the Gospel, the Hope of St. Paul was also in the Ark of God too.

Almighty God never dwells in Jerusalem instead He dwells in the Holy body of the True Believers (2 Corinth 6:16). Though the body of the believers is the dwelling place of God still; until we are living in this body we are physically away from God (2 Cori 5:6). After our death only we can be together with the Lord in one flesh and soul (Philippi 1:22-23).

St. Paul strongly proclaims his teachings so that the firm faith that they put towards Jerusalem should be diverted toward the Almighty God. He states that God never dwells in Jerusalem instead dwells in the body of a true believer. And he also through his preachings makes them understand the principles of God that a Christian should follow. He proclaims that Christ dwells in Heaven so the Christians should set their hope in Heaven only. Only real Hope can encourage Love. Those who see Christ spread the Love to others. And because of this, the Colossian people were able to love their Saint too.

The Jews put their Hope in the Church of Jerusalem, whereas the Christians put their Hope in Heaven, with Jesus and where it’s well protected. These were the teachings which St. Paul proclaimed to the Colossian Christians. And no one who didn’t put their Hope in the love of Christ; can’t put their Hope towards Heaven. Any person who believes in another saint other than Jesus; is like having a damaged faith(unbeliever) and lives like a dead body. Our faith should never be according to the preaching of others, but should always be according to the ‘word of God’. The true teachings from the Epaphras influenced the Colossian Christians to follow the right belief.

2 Corinth 6:16 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with Idols? for ye are the temple of the living God, and they shall be my people ”

2 Cori 5:6 “And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people”

Philippi 1:22-23 “But if I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I wot not ”

Prayers And Supplication Are in two ways

We adore God in two ways -through our PRAYERS and SUPPLICATION. Asking God regarding the fulfilment of our daily needs is through our supplications.

There is a great difference between prayer and supplications

According to the Hebrew belief, prayer is the bonding between the Almighty God and us. It can be carried down through personal prayers, or group prayer meetings, and also by giving praises to Almighty God

According to the Christian belief, prayer is offering praises, thanksgivings, and making supplications. Prayer is knowing your Almighty God. Getting a deliverance or healing of a disease is called a prayer

Also according to the faith of Catholic, one’s heart and mind are raised up towards the Lord, and asking for the fulfilment of Godly wills also creates belief and hopes in them.

Colossians 1:6

VERSE

“Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth:”

The Churches got withered severely, due to the lack of Grace in them. Grace is empowered through the preaching of the Gospel. The Church which doesn’t have the power of the word doesn’t have Grace in it.

WHICH ARE THE POWERFUL GOSPEL PREACHINGS?

During the first Centuries, the Apostles and their disciples proclaimed the preachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These preachings were then taken as the Gospel by the Churches. Then during the start of the second century; the epistles written by the Apostles were taken as the Gospel.

The preachings were called the Gospel.
The epistles of the Apostles were also taken as the Gospel.

Eg; Papias of Hierapolis was a Greek Apostolic Father, Bishop of Hierapolis Papias, was also the disciple of Apostles John (A.D.70-163). Papias acquiescence that the Gospel of Mark was true had much-written proof of his acquiescence too. By the second Century, all four Gospel were appreciated as they were according to the Law and got its acquiescence too, from the Fathers of the Churches. From the Baptism of John the Baptist till the resurrection of Christ – is the Gospel.

Gospel

The word Gospel in English is derived from the ‘Anglo- Saxon term god- spell, meaning “good news” and refers to the story of Jesus Christ’s birth, death, and resurrection.

The “gospel” is from the Old French evangile, from the Latin evangelism, from Greek evangalian meaning ” good telling”
In common the meaning of the Gospel in English tells us that it’s ” Good News”(Britannica).

WHAT IS THE MESSAGE OF THE GOSPEL?

To believe in God and love one another is the Gospel preached and proclaimed by one of the groups. And many don’t believe in this fact too.

We must believe and be baptized in order not to be punished (Mark 16:16).
We must believe in the gospel so that the kingdom of God will come and people will live in it (Mark 1:15)
Christ died for our sins and was buried and raised on the third day as it is written (1 Cornit.15:4).
The gospel message also proclaims that the dead are resurrected to heaven (1 Corint.15:12-13).

This is what the Gospel preaches about, to us. And also in the Old Testament too, the message of salvation is explained (Protoevangelium).

Mark 16:16 ” He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned “

Mark 1:15 “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the Gospel “

1 Cori.15:4 “And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures”

1 Cori.15:12-13 “Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But there be no resurrection of the dead then is Christ not risen”

GRACE – KHARIS (Greek), CHARIN ( Ancient Greek)

It was believed that, the word Grace was only used by the Christians only; which was not right. The word Grace was even used by the non-Christians too. Even in India itself, the word Grace is used in the Hindu religion, Buddhism, and also in the Muslim religion too. In Hinduism, in Yoga Vashishta or Vashisht, we can see the use of the word Grace is done there also. And it is highlighted in Krishna Kripa Sagaram, written by the Vedic scholars, and also mentions, the Grace in it. Also, the famous song “Krishnan Kripasagaram” sung by Dr.K. J. Yesudas, features ‘The Grace of Krishnan’.

The other believers believe, one person who doesn’t commit sins is due to the Grace of God, and he is reborn again with the only Grace of God; and whatever good deeds, he does when he is alive is due to the Grace of God only. These are all things, the other religious persons see in their scriptures of God too. In Quran, it states that “God is the Eternal Source of Grace”( words 30).In Islamic Law Faculty Dean Salafi, it’s not only the good efforts of one that make him reach paradise; but only by the Grace of Allah only, he can attain Paradise.
It’s also mentioned in Buddhism scriptures, regarding the Grace of God written in the Pure Land Buddhism, in Japan.

The Almighty God gave His only Son- Jesus to this world is showered as His love towards mankind; which is proclaimed by the Apostles of Christ as the Grace of God (Ephesians 2:8).

We are not worthy to be part of the Grace of Almighty God, but still for the Salvation of mankind He made his only Son undergo the sufferings of crucification. This greatness is called the Grace of the Almighty God (Roman 3:24).

When we understand the feeling of the Father who adopts a Son and looks after him so affectionately, then only we can understand the Grace that our Almighty bestowed on us. Because the Father does not receive the work of the baby or the child’s request when he adopts the baby, and he does everything for the as own father; in that same is the grace of Almighty God(Romans 11:6).

It’s not of because of our prayers and efforts that we are grown; but it’s only through Almighty God’s Grace, that we are developed (Ephesians 1:8).

When this belief was understood and practised in Colossian Churches; like other Churches in the world, they also started growing in the soul.

Ephesians 2:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”

Roman 3:24 “Being justified freely by his Grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus”

Roman 11:6 “And if by grace, then is it no more grace. But if it is of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more”

Ephesians 1:8 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God”

Colossians 1:7

VERSE

“As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellow servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ”

Colossians church came to know about this truth from Epaphras. Epaphras was in real, one of the disciples of St . Paul. In both the letters of Colossian and of Philemon they mentioned Epaphras. He was a fellow servant and God’s servant. just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf (Colo 1:7 ) And introduces to others. When we read the Bible, one can understand how much close St. Paul was to Epaphras. Epaphras did the Gospel preaching in Hierapolis, Laodicea, and Colossian Churches. Also, he bought his country’s people closer to Jesus.

” Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. For I bear him record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis “(Col 4:12-13).

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, salute you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. But Gnoistic, Jews, and Natural power worshipers all of them started preaching the false teachings in the Churches. Epaphras was very much upset because of it. So he decided to meet his teacher St. Paul. And in those days St. Paul was imprisoned in the jail. Epaphras also decided to be with St. Paul so he made himself surrender and was put into jail. Some elders say that for being with St. Paul, Epaphras did all this. They also discussed whatever sufferings had been by the false teachings taught to the Churches of Colossians when both St . Paul and Epaphras were in jail. To enlighten the people of the Christian Churches they strongly preached and proclaimed the Gospel through their Epistles

Colossians 1:8-9

VERSE

“Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;”

AGAPE – Love, Agapen Justice, and the love of God.

“But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone.”(Luke 11:42)

The worldly love always leads to emotional love whereas the spiritual love is from the heart which can’t be explained. Love has its many phases according to its way as- it teaches us many things, it’s a helping hand to others, it gives us suggestions. It’s like helping hands that never show enmity towards others (Roman 13).
The love of the Church is from the action and not merely from the words only. Spiritual love is shown in the deed of one’s.

“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us” (Roman 5:5).

And St. Paul appreciates the feeling of love of Colossian’s Christianity, which is according to spiritual love. When the ministry follows the concept of being in spiritual love, it makes us all remember that we should all pray for every fellow minister and for the wellbeing of the ministry, this is what this word gives us the message. When St. Paul came to know about the invasion of the false teachers in the Churches he started praying, not for worldly goodness but for the upliftment of the Gospel. The preaching of the Gospel, knowledge of grace all this, in its true way, was well understood by the Colossian Churches but still, St. Paul makes them remember that they have to seek for the great knowledge of the eternal peace also. With proper knowledge, only one can strongly stand against false teachings and never get diverted. through Gospel, only one can be in Godly spirit, and enlightened with the knowledge, and St. Paul, beautifully justifies it that with only the grace of God and through Gospel only knowledge is acquired.

There is also false preaching followed in India, in Kerala that; knowledge is acquired through the grace of Mother Mary. From this, the false teachers aim in diverting the people to the other path. They deny the salvation brought through Christ and proclaim to wait for the New Redeemer for the salvation of the Human race. The Crucification is the grace of the Almighty God and they are teaching wrongly against the Almighty living God . They preached that Christ redeemed only the sins of the flesh of human beings and went off without redeeming their Soul. One who has read Colossians knows that all these are the wrong teachings of theirs.

APGNOSIS – Knowledge of a particular point

Apgnosis(knowledge) is the image of Almighty God.

“And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” (Colo 3:10)

It’s like taking a video shoot of any artist and then when viewed on the screen we see his physical appearance as the image of the artist played in the particular role. the same way knowledge is also the image of Almighty God St. Paul never claims that Knowledge is Mother Mary, but he says that the Saints and the believers of the Colossian Churches do have knowledge. He says that Christians should and must have the knowledge. Through this knowledge only we will be able to see Jesus through our insight. It’s through this knowledge only we recognize the power bestowed upon us in each of our deeds.

Lack of this knowledge makes the person believe, that the sacrifice of the Almighty God is incomplete, and leads to following the path of false teachings. So if we have both God’s grace and knowledge we can stand against such false teachings. Colossus was the place where many wrong preachers stayed. They always tried to put down Christ and uplift the Angel and the Saint also. There, St. Paul strongly proclaims to adopt Spiritual knowledge. By following the false preachers we are also doing the evil deeds; which we should be able to understand.

COLOSSianS 1:10-11

VERSE

“That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness ”

The Church should always follow the path which is according to the principles of Jesus Christ. The church should never follow the rituals and festivals of other religions. This is truly wrong, which is written clearly when we go through the Bible reading of Colossians. We know that these rituals are against the Bible but still, if we follow the rituals of other religions, we are denying the principles of the Gospel which the Christ’s -Apostles taught us.

One who lives by satisfying the worldly man because for him it’s very difficult to lead a spiritual life, will never be able to satisfy the Almighty God. Those who want to follow Christ should be able to deny certain things sometimes, even his own life too. And whatever he denies it should be not done by putting down others, but instead, it should be done with true conscience and innocency, for Spiritual knowledge and wisdom are needed. And if we try to deny the principles of God, and follow the wrong path whatever goodness we do in our life is worthless as it doesn’t give any benefit to our spiritual life. But, even if we follow the principles of Almighty God and offer even a pin to someone, receive the reward for it from Almighty God.

EIKONA (n) – IMAGE – Also Wear The Image of the Heavenly

The likeness of God, seen in man is a very important theological fact written in the Gospel. Almighty God has created us in his own image. And giving the features of an old man to the Almighty is even a strong sin that the Bible highlights (Exodus 20:2-4).

Bible says that God made man in his same image, which doesn’t mean that Almighty looks like us; and believing it is the greatest ‘sin’ committed. St. Paul in his epistles gives a detailed description of the Almighty God’s image and his likeness. The renewed believer becomes the image of Almighty God with perfect wisdom (Colossus 3:10 & Gen 1:27).

And the renewed man if he doesn’t love one another he will not be the image of Almighty God. God’s integrity is in Love; God is love (1 John 4:8 & 1 John 4:16).

The Church that follows Jesus, cannot walk in darkness. Believers must walk in the light which is the image of God (John 8:12).

God’s integrity lies in light, love, and perfect wisdom. We all saw God through Jesus Christ only. And we are the likeness and image of God when love and perfect wisdom are revealed in the world, through us. And that’s how Jesus appeared as a ‘man’ to the world.

Exodus 20:2-4 “I am the Lord thy God, which has brought thee out of the land of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth”

Colossus 3:10 “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”

Gen 1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them”

1 John 4:8 “He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love ”

1 John 4:16 “And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love; dwelleth in God, and God in him ”

John 8:12 ”Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in the darkness, but shall have the light of life”

DOXA (Greek), Doxis (n)

There are two concepts of glory:

The glory obtained by fame before man
The glory being famous before God.

The second is the true glory, which the great theologian C.S. Lewis describes in his book “Weight of Glory”. The reason for the great suffering in the story was the conspiracy of the Jews and the activities of the evil preachers who tried to mislead the believers and work against Christ. In this situation St. Paul exhorts mighty Christians, to live according to the Glory of God. It also means to reveal God’s power in front of the enemies by doing good deeds without losing the divine explanations. In this way, when the believers get strength in all the power of God, the Church has glory.

The Saint -The Holy One

The most holy place where the Holy God is worshipped and adored is called the Hagion. Saint is derived from the Latin word Sanctus, to call the Holy things. Sanctus is used to highlight the holy places of the Temples, the Altar. But it was translated to the whole world due to the word Hagion. From Hagion Sanctus Saint word was derived in English. In the New Testament, whenever dealt with Holy things called Hagion. St. Paul whenever called Saint’s as Hagios. It was commonly used by Greek people. Hagios in man is receiving divine judgment. It’s mentioned as ‘different’ from the views. It means those things which are physically seen or unseen, Hagion is a different form of it. There is no other word other than Hagion in Greek.

For that reason, the people of the Ist century called the Saints Hagios. The Saints lived an isolated life from the worldly life is highlighted when St. Paul calls them Hagios. And when it was translated to Malayalam it was called the “Holy’’. Mother Mary, mother of Jesus was called Holy by using the word Hagia. But it’s due to the dwelling of Jesus in them they receive the Holiness of Almighty God. And the Hagio is given to God because Christ gave the part for man, through the first resurrection. And it’s given to those who live accordingly to the word of God.

” Blessed and holy is he hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ and shall reign with him a thousand years.” ( Revelations 20:6 )

During the last breath of Stephen, he used the word Hagios.

“Then said the Lord to him, put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the place where thou standest is holy ground “(Acts 7:33).

When Jesus says unholy, then the holy place is called Hagio, ‘The Holy’.

“When ye, therefore, shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of Daniel the prophet, stand in the Holy place,(whoso readeth, let him understand. ” (Mathew 24-15)

The place where God dwelled was called Hagio,(The holiest) so then, just think what should be the Saints be called in whom the Holy Spirit dwelled.

When Was Mary Called The Holy

During the Fifth century, Mary was called Hagia Maria. In English ‘Holy Mary’, in Latin ‘Santa Maria’, and in Greek ‘Hagia Maria’ was the name called Mary. Eastern Christians mostly called Mary as Hagia Maria, which means the ‘Holy Mary’. The Greek word Hagia, which is used for Mary was meant as ‘the Holy’ but the Protestants never called Mary as Holy, instead they used the word ‘the Saint’. When the word Hagia, Hagios referred in Greek is meant with ‘‘the Most Holy’’ instead of “the Saint ‘’.

In Turkey, the Church was conquered by the Islamic religion Byzantine Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia means ‘the Holy Wisdom’. When the word Hagia Sophia is referred it’s used to highlight ‘the Holy Church. Hagia means ‘Holy’ and Sophia is ‘Wisdom’. We call Mary Hagia Maria because Jesus dwelt in her. And when we become the dwelling place of God, then we also become ‘the Holy’.

PATHERUM (Greek): Father

Jews called the father in Greek Patherum, and in Hebrew, they called them Abba. Certain Prophets were also called the Father; or Abba (1 Samuel 24:11, 2 Kings 5:13,2 Kings 13:14).

Jesus taught us to call Almighty God ‘ Our Father ’, and also he called as His Father too (John 20:17, John 14:10, John 10:36, John 8:28)

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are one God. But three of them show the presence of God (Mathew: 28-20).

We call the Almighty God Abba, because of the presence of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:15).

It’s due to Abba’s son -Jesus’s soul is within us, and we too are called ‘Sons of Almighty God ‘.That’s how we became Abba’s own Sons (Gal 4:6)

Colossians 1:12,13

VERSE

“Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son:”

In the N.L.T Bible, it says that- Always give thanksgiving to your Almighty God. Because He leads his people to the kingdom of Light. The Colossian people who were under the influence of evil got turned and became the followers of Christ’s belief; for which we give praises to the Almighty God. The world of darkness, explained by the Apostles is the world filled with Sins and all its evil practices. Those who deny to follow the sin and its paths are the ones who live as the Holy, living in the presence of Light. When they become believers, they became part inheritance of all the Holy people and the Saints of the Church. The people of the Colossian Church were converted to Hagios (the Holy) due to the grace of Almighty God only. St. Paul gives thanksgiving to the Almighty God for changing the Sinners to become the Holy.

ZOE (Greek) / OURANOS = Life in Heaven – A life real, genuine, active vigorous, blessed, and devoted

The Gospel; translates the people from the darkness to the Light. The Colossian people got translated due to the Gospel only. So now, the Evil has no power to destroy those who live according to the Gospel. There were many such strong believers who lived in the Colossian Churches. And pointing them St. Paul says that during their phase of life itself, they all reached the kingdom of Jesus Christ. Though we are living in the world still we live as living in Heaven. That’s how the body of no life becomes the living body of Christ, where Jesus dwells. Here St. Paul says it’s like taking us to the kingdom of God. God carried all the Apostles and the saints to the kingdom of God while they were living on the earth itself. This means that in their body living on earth does have their own soul but instead, they have the soul of Christ dwelling in them. This was the true glorious and mighty faith, followed in the Ancient Churches.

Colossians 1:14

VERSE

“In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins“

St. Paul makes the people of the church of God that redemption and forgiveness are only through Christ only. And he states all this to preach against the controversies against Christ, brought by the false teachers. They preached unbelief to the Christians that Jesus never redeemed us from our Sins and there is no power of salvation through his blood. So, the Apostles also preached strongly to the people against the unbelief teachings preached by the false teachers, by stating that to live a holy life one should know about the forgiveness of Sin. The Holy life which is led by a true believer is never understandable to the outsiders. The false teachers strongly preach wrongly about the birth and death of Jesus Christ. They also created wrong beliefs in the people, who strongly believed in the resurrection of Christ. They also wanted to bring hindrance in the life of the believers of Christ.

GNOSTICS: ORIGIN OF GNOSTICISM

Gnosticism is a collection of religious ideas and systems that coalesced in the late 1st century AD among Jewish and early Christian sects. Gnostic texts deal not with concepts of sin and repentance but with illusion and enlightenment.

Gnostics believed in many Gods and followed their many religious rituals too. Their main job was to write the stories of the particular and the teachings of gods of these religions according to their own Gnosticism. Their descriptions are related to the Greek version and also to their own thinking too (gnosticism). They have not only described the Christian Gods but also Jew Gods and also of the Gentiles with Gnosticisms and were all in the Greek versions. It was during the period of the Second Century these Gnosticism invaded the Churches. They also wrote the ideas of Gnosticism in Christian scriptures too and they did controversies in the Gospel of Acts, Revelations and added Gnosticism in each.

Gnosticism was part of Egyptian intellectual life and was heavily Hellenic. Platonism- is the view that there exist such things as abstract objects; that do not exist in space or time. Platonism in this sense is a contemporary view. It was founded by Socrates’s student and disciple, Plato, and continued by his students and followers. In the Coptic Churches, they believed these Gnostic texts as the Holy Gospels. These Gnostic scriptures were secretly invaded in Rome and many other places also.

THE GNOSTIC BOOKS USED BY CHRISTIANS

In A.D. 313 the Christian Churches got freedom, and by A.D. 324 the religions of the Greeks began to decline. By the 3rd Century with St . Anthateous and other fathers of the churches started opposing Gnosticism. The true Gospel, Christian scriptures, all Apostle’s letters, false teachings, and the Gnostics scriptures were all present in mixed form among the Christian believers, which became confusing for the believers to decide to follow and which not. St. Anthatheous guided the Christians to follow the Apostolic scriptures which were 27 books in number and were combined in the Bible and he formed the New Testament and gave it to the Churches.

It doesn’t mean that 27 books in Bible were written in the 3rd Century but it was written in the 1st century itself. The Holy Spirit gave the power to find it and combine it. Whatever deed we do, we are rewarded accordingly. For this reason, we are only accountable to Christ only. St Anthatheos ordered the Christian Churches to remove all the scriptures of False teachings, Gnostics books, and other books from the houses and the Churches and keep only the 27 books of the Apostles. So for this reason, all the Coptic Christians obeyed his orders and discarded the books in the jars and sealed it, and dumped them away in the ground; which was founded by the farmer Muhammed -Al-Samman after many decades.

These scriptures were discarded away in a damned way by St. Athatheos, the Fathers of Churches, and by the believers too. Nearby there was an old retreat centre, Pachoomeyian these books were found Many also believed that their ancestors had discarded these books. They also found the book of St. Thomas in the pots, and so they thought that it was written by St. Thomas himself, but it was not so. And we can understand that for the same reason, the Ancestors decided to discard it. This book of Thomas was written in Coptic language; whereas St. Thomas didn’t know about this language.

For Example: In the Egyptian library -Nag Hammadi Library we can see these Gnostic books available there. In 1945, in the upper Egyptian town of Nag Hammadi; the Gnostic books were found. They were all put in the pot sealed and were then dumped in the ground. Thirteen leather-bound papyrus codices buried in a sealed jar were found by a local farmer named Muhammed -Al -Samman. The Writings in these codices comprise 52 mostly Gnostic treatises, but they also include three works belonging to the Corpus Hermeticum and a partial translation of Plato’s Republic. Then the Gnostic texts were written in Coptic Christians ( that time Egyptian Christians) The Texts founded in 1945, from the Nag Hammadi Library, are still available there.

WHY WERE THESE SCRIPTURES NOT DESTROYED BY BEING PUT IN THE FIRE INSTEAD STORED IN THE POTS?

These scriptures contained the details of Jesus because of this, these scripture were not destroyed by burning in the fire but instead kept safe in the pots. There are many unwanted dangerous myths that were described related to the scriptures –

The Scriptures are the stories of the visible creator only. It’s impossible for the Almighty God to dwell in this evil world with men because God is Holy.
The Almighty God transformed himself into flesh and lived with men was not accepted by the Gnostic doctrines. But the truth is that they were not enlightened by the Lord. They put forward many other unwanted myths to the Churches.

It was during the second Century that Gnosticism invaded the Christian Churches. But from the first century itself, the Churches had to suffer a lot under the rules and orders followed by Sir Wilson. Gnosticism is a term art of proto-orthodox heresiologists for a disparate group of contemporaneous Christian groups. Gnosis refers to knowledge based on personal experience or perception.it is the mystical or esoteric knowledge based on direct participation with the divine.

“Then certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoicks, encountered him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them Jesus, and the resurrection ”(Acts 17:18).

Though the Christian Churches had to encounter the gnostic preachings from the first century they were encountered by Stoics and then later with the Epicureans too. From the 2nd through the 4th century, Christian writers catalogued and condemned certain teachers and teachings as gnostic, and the struggle to distinguish orthodox Christianity from heresies helped those writers clarify the essential beliefs and practices handed down by Christ and his Apostles to the churches.

St. Paul preached the Colossian Churches were always against Gnosticism(AD 61). When Paul was writing the Epistles to the Churches at that time the Gnostic preachings were not there was controversy which was believed by them and so for this reason they denied and established that the epistles were not written by the St. Paul. But their this view was wrong as from the beginning of all the Apostolic works there was always a controversy raised and along with which they had to suffer a lot. It was more in Asia Minor where they had more power. Though the Gnostic books were printed later in the second century the Gnostic preachings were there from the First century itself.

St. Paul always preached to the Churches of Colossians that they must strongly face the situation through Grace. From the Scholars and from the Jews there was a compulsory follow up of the rituals to be performed by the people.

“Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days” (Colo 2:16).

St Paul stated to the Churches to strongly believe in their belief in Christ and never try to fall into the influences of wrong preachers. Men’s rescue is only in the hands of Christ.

“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross” ( col 2:14).

If we believe in Gnosticism that salvation through Christ was false then we have to preach that we never received salvation from our sins. Then we as other religions would lead a life doing all other rituals for the salvation of the sin. The teachings who don’t agree to follow Jesus are the followers of the Gnostics.

Colossians 1:15

VERSE
"In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge"

THE FIRST BORN/ MONOGENES ( ONLY BEGOTTEN ) : Greek-PROTOKOS

These words spoken by the Apostles (Paul) make the controversy of the Gnosticism preached against Jesus. In a letter to the Church of Colossae, the Apostle Paul gave a description of Jesus. In it, he explained Christ’s relationship to God the Father and to creation Some have claimed that Paul’s description of Christ as the first-born of creation means that Jesus was created -not eternal, not God. Such a doctrine, however, conflicts with the rest of the Bible. Christ could not be Creator and created. They also tried to divert the teaching by putting in forward the words first born and only Begotten. They say that Jesus is the Firstborn and the one who will come later will be the Begotten.

The Bible speaks about the Firstborn, which means that the second will be born later. Because of this, they believe that there is someone born after Christ. It’s because after the firstborn only the other children are born. They consider Jesus the firstborn and are waiting for the other one to come -these are the teachings they proclaim.

“Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever opened the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of the beast: it is mine” (Exodus13: 2)

These preachings are firmly believed by them and tried forcefully to follow by others by following the path of violence. And these false were present in each and every century.

SECOND SON: THE CRIMINAL / THE MURDER

The men born were proclaimed as the second sons, which was a serious controversy, leading to severe struggles and strikes that we should study. The book ‘The Truth’ by Honde has some views which state that -according to the Version of the knowledge of Son’s of God and belief in the salvation of the world, some Taing songs were sung having the meanings as:

“ Heavenly elder brother is
Our Heavenly Father’s firstborn one
He is worthy to be the King.
The second of Heavenly Father
Is the Heavenly King who will
He is the one who will rule on us”

If we go after the studies regarding this we can understand that Christians are going in dangerous situations. In Kerala also a subject related to this same matter started to grow. These false preachers take the support of the Gospel words and make the wrong preachings to justify themselves. If we carefully go through the further matter discussed; we can get rid of the teachings of the culprits.

Taiping Rebellion was the radical political and religious upheaval that was probably the most important event in China in the 19th century and altered the Qing dynasty. The rebellion began under the leadership of Hong Xiuquan(1814-64), a disappointed civil service examination candidate who, influenced by Christian teachings, had a series of visions and believed himself to be the son of God, the younger brother of Jesus Christ, sent to reform China. That is Jesus as the firstborn and as the second son of God. God has two sons and was brought through the Taiping Theology.

Through this theology, only the world came to know about God’s two sons. Hong, to justify himself tried to share the theology by stating that he had the vision and took the support of the words of the Gospel too, to prove that he was God’s second son. His vision was – In 1837 got the vision of God which spoke to him and said that he is sent from God and is his second son. He tried to preach this belief and those who disbelieved it were cruelly tortured. When there is the second God’s son present then there is no need to depend on the Firstborn and offer prayers and supplications to the firstborn as the second son is already present there. The Protestants of China strongly opposed him and his culprit preachings.

The Gospel preaching worked very hard to get the diverted people back to Jesus who went off due to the influence of wrong teachings. Many of the parts were conquered by Hong Xiuqan forced to believe in him. On Jan 1, 1851; he proclaimed his dynasty, the Taiping Tianguo (“Heavenly Kingdom of Great Peace”), and assumed the title of Tianwang, or “Heavenly King. ”Then after the ‘Heavenly King’( Hong) and God’s second for him many songs of praises were written and started worshipping him. Then against the Qing Dynasty, the Taiping rebellion started.

In 1864, after the death of Hong; this Dynasty got destroyed and the believers got separated and severely destroyed. Like this, in many parts of the world, these culprits had proclaimed their teachings. So, was in the same way the culprit Messiah also came. These people proclaim the Gospel not in its true way, instead were taught according to their own ideas. They taught their visions and teachings in their false ideas. They also took the help of the Gospel of Acts and the Old Testament to justify their false teachings.

The preaching of St. Paul who always opposed Gnosticism; taught that we should firmly believe that everything is in Jesus Christ; and there is no salvation in any other name, only in the name of Jesus we have it. So we should be able to judge the culprits who teach against Jesus Christ. According to John; Lord Jesus is the only the begotten. “No man hath see God at any time: the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him ” ( John 1:18)

St. Paul states that Jesus is the only firstborn; in the Colossians. “Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature ( Colossus 1:15)

MONTANISM

In the first century itself, there is the invasion of the religion of Gnosticism. In Arabi, it is known as Sabiyalism. They are also known by another name Montanism.
Montanism describes the belief in only one God only. Gnosticism is their main scripture. Adam, Abel, Seth, Hanok, Noah, Shem, and John the Baptist are all present as honourable in their scriptures. The Montanists spoke the eastern Aramaic Language. The Montayan means knowledge, wisdom. Arabics were the outsiders of montayans .When the Arabs convert themselves to Mendeyelam they were called Mendeyams. Some call the religion of Apostles of John. The name Monotheism along with John is also Gnostic which they have along with them. Their scriptures are called Monotheistic ( the doctrine or belief that there is only one God.)The Gnostic term is in Iran and in Iraq. According to some views, they were started during the third Century. Almost they are 1 Lakh in population.

THE FIRSTBORN AND THE BEGOTTEN ONE IS ONLY THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

The belief of the Ancient Churches was that Jesus is the firstborn and the begotten one. Paul called Jesus Firstborn because he is visible and invisible to all and everyone. Beyond the Trinity( Father, Son, Holy Spirit) there is no other younger one born which is stated in John.

“No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him ”(John 1:18).

Colossians 1:16-17

VERSE

“For by him were all things created, that are in Heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:” “And he is before all things, and him all things consists.“

In K. J. V. It’s written as The thrones or the dominions with all principalities or power both in heaven or on earth; visible or invisible; all are created by him, and is only for him. To understand these writings of St Paul we should study the Gnostics views also; as St. Paul always taught against them.

Cerinthus, Greek was a scholar (A.D. 50 to 100 A.D.) who received the teachings from the Apostles and revealed the Godly views in the emptiness. He revealed the facts with many alterations in his own ideas; about Lord Jesus from the Old Testament and from the New Testament; which he revealed very wisely and intelligently with all evidence. He proclaims that Jesus was just a man born to reveal the Heavenly God to the world and through the will of God he was born to Joseph and Mar, for this, Jesus was selected at the age of thirty.

When Jesus took the baptism Christ came into Jesus was revealed through his preachings very wisely with all the evidence. He wisely teaches that for the creation of the world, God made the Angels stand amidst its competence. He strongly believed that there was no role of Jesus in the creation of the world. Also, he states that when Jesus was crucified on the cross Christ left him and Jesus, the son of Joseph and Mary was left alone to suffer and died.

Through baptism, only Christ came in Jesus and performed all the healings of the diseases. Not only this Seerthus found new theories regarding the birth of Jesus; that Jesus was not born in the spirit according to the word of God. He strongly defends that Jesus was born in the genome of Joseph and Mary. When Almighty God created the world he didn’t take the support of Jesus; because Jesus was like a normal man, born of an old man. And it’s impossible for the Almighty God to live or to touch this evil world so, he made the Angles in the middle to carry down the work of the creation of the world.

This view of Cerinthus invaded the Churches of John too where they denied that there is no differentiation between Almighty God and Jesus.

“Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God ” (1 John 4:2).

“For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ comes in the flesh . This is a deceiver and an antichrist ”(2 John 1:7).

Cerinthus was a dual version of Descartes. It can be paraphrased as Created substance: a thing whose existence is dependent on no other thing. Descartes was again a Gnostic; who preached in Ephesian; and who also differentiated Jesus and Christ in his theories. But, St. Paul strongly defended these theories and claimed that the creation of the world was with Jesus and was for him only.

From the speeches of St. Paul, we can analyze that the Cerinthus theories were the same as Gnosticism and were preached in the Colossian Churches too that’s why St. Paul emphasizes defending the false theories in his preachings to the Churches. Christians believed Christ was the ‘First’ and the ‘end’ one. That is ‘First ’ means it never has an end. Whatever we think about ‘first’ we will have the same condition as the First. There is no end condition for ‘End’. For the benefit of the world, there may be the ‘End’ but still there will be some residue remaining in the ‘End’.And for this reason, some will again regenerate from it.

Jesus is a God who has no beginning nor any ending-so, for this reason, we believe the lord is the ‘first’. And going against this belief and believing or thinking that Jesus was the firstborn is not right. Because, if we think so then there will be someone next to Him. If it happens so then Jesus is not worthy to be called firstborn. But born from Almighty God in Mary’s womb -that testimony is true, but still, he is the Firstborn. That’s because the ‘Truth of God’ is undefined and can’t be understood by us humans. But it’s only understandable by the Saints only.

VISIBLE AND INVISIBLE Greek – Horatos (visible), Aoratos (invisible)

The Sun, the stars, the moon, and all the things that are seen on the Earth which we can see are called “Visible”. But there are invisible things also which we can’t be seen with our naked eyes but still, exists and are called the “Invisible”. Like the things which are visible as a throne, kingdom, principalities, and power present so are many things present that can’t be seen are the invisible things. The lost group of Angels are the thrones, power, and rights are the descriptions given by the sculptors.

All the things whether visible or invisible everything; Jesus is the creator of all. Without Jesus, nothing is given to us, and everything is for Christ only. From birth till death all these things have been used as sources for Godly purposes only. Thus the believers of the Churches began to believe in Apostolic guidance to deny the Cerinthus preachings(Gnostic). And hence the believers believed the preachings about Jesus and denied the teachings of Cerinthus that angels were the middle helpers to create the world revealed by the Apostles.

Image Of god

Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Leonardo da Vinci art of Jesus -is not the image of God).

Through the insight of faith, the disciple saw Jesus and will see him directly after death. When we see Jesus in faith, we see an enlightened and lovable God.
The word of God took the form of flesh and was made similar to God in the body of a man, which existed till death on the cross.

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men “(Philippians 2: 7)

On the mountain ranges of Sinai, the Israelites imposed to see their God. When came to them they saw the eternal Love and power of the lord.

When the people of Israel viewed one side of the Almighty God they all were so scared that they all ran off away and hid themselves. But due to the Love of the heavenly father, His begotten son Jesus who is the image of God was send down and was allowed to be touched by each and every one.

Through Jesus only we all came to know about the nature of our Almighty God. That Almighty God is love, a merciful God, and a compassionate God. God showed through the life of Jesus that he also punishes the accused.

Today’s men strongly wished to see the image of the Almighty God for which the art of God was been drawn as the image of the old man, and there are many Christians who adore this art of God as the real image of God. And those who do so are disobeying the first commandment of the Lord, and trying to follow the Greek Mythology.

Jesus never stood in front of any artist for making his art or the picture.
If we want to see Abba the Father we should not visualize the features of an old man having a beard and moustache. But we should visualize the loving, and enlightening face of Jesus Christ.

Those who adore the features of the Art are following the Greek Mythology.

In Greek Mythology – the images of the God and Goddess are assumed as the real image of the Almighty God. These images are usually, placed and adored in the Temples. And for the care and adoration of the Idols Priests are appointed. Whatever adoration is given to a living -man; all the same rituals are followed by the Priest, towards the idol too.

Beyond Greek mythology, these types of adoration rituals were deeply practised in Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Syria too. The sculptures did follow the law and principles of their religion while making the IDOLS of God and Goddess. They made these as they were in the living form of the God and Goddess. That’s how the art of making the idols got a sense of religious belief/ myths along with it. And if a devotee or a believer wants to adore the image of God- Idol; submits all the offerings used for the adoration to the Priest of the Temple. And the Priest performs the rituals and offer’s the Idol, on behalf of the devotee/ believer.

In Egypt, the idols of God are dressed in special variety which is their offering to God. In India also in many places, the Images of Mary are adored in the same rituals, which have been noticed. Those who separate themselves free from all this adoration and rituals were only able to see the vision of the God of the Early Fathers. This is the reason why they didn’t assume or adored any other image of God; rather than their Lord Jesus.

The Christians who believe in Christ should never adore the idols. Idols are worthless, encourages to become culprits and have an evil influence on them, and irreverence are the features of idols that the prophets proclaim.
(Jeremiah 50: 2 , Jeremiah 10: 14 , Ezekiel 22: 3-4)

The Gentiles say that because of their wish to touch their Almighty God, they are making these idols. Offering the idols with slogan adorations, fume adorations, and burning of the incense In front of them all comes under the adoration of idols which is stated in the Bible and also said in the Mythology too.

The reason why the early Fathers of the Church didn’t adore the idols is that they knew that if they did so they will be put in fire and imprisonment which; is the second death (Revelation 21:8).

The New Testament is against Apostolic preaching.

Acts 7:41 Acts 15:20 Acts 21:25

1 Cori 8:1 1 Cori 7:10 Acts 10:28

2 Cori 6:16 1 John 5:21

Colossians 1:18

VERSE

“And he is the head of the body, the church who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.“

Head makes the control over the body. Church is the body and Jesus is the Head of the body. St. Paul teaches that the church should always follow only Jesus(Head). And when we follow other religions we are doing wrong to the Head (JESUS) and get separated from the Head.“ Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies.”

“Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. ” (Gala 5: 20-21).

Why Christ is Called The First Born

Dead came through the first sin committed by Adam and Eve. After them, and in their inheritance no one had got the permission to enter Paradise. If a dead person wants to enter in paradise/heaven, he should always follow the will of the Almighty God. Jews knew about the laws of the Almighty God but still didn’t know about the will of God. That will be the body of Jesus.

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of Heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity” (Math: 7:21-23).

The dead soul of the Jews should either enter into sleep, a suffering place (hell) or in the bosoms of Abraham. The entry place of the Soul is decided by the deeds done by the one.The curse of Death was from Adam and remained till the law was received by Moses. But to follow the Law written in the stone was never followed by them. They wanted to follow the law the, but they were not able to do so. Their heart was willing to do but their body didn’t. They did the good deeds from the heart but did the evils from their body.

“ For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do” (Romans 7-19).

( These descriptions are not about St. Paul but about the conditions of the Jews.)When the law of God was not obeyed then Death came forward. And those who followed it went into Abraham’s bosom and entered into the life; still, they were not able to enter the kingdom of Christ. It’s because without us they were incomplete so, GOD considered us and saw something better for us.

“God having provided some better things for us, that they without us should not be made perfect” (Hebrew 11:40).

Jesus came to remove evil and sin from the world. Those who believe in Him will enter to live. So, Jesus, many times proclaimed that I am the life; those who believe in me will never die: even when dies also he will be alive.Those who believe Jesus is the word of God, will not go to Abraham’s bosom instead; they enter into paradise (heaven). That is from the suffering of crucifixion till the resurrection of Jesus, whoever lived in the holiness and in believing him and then died will enter the kingdom of Jesus but will enter in paradise. After his resurrection only whoever died went to Christ.

“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me” (John14:1-3)

Some say that paradise is underneath the earth; which is totally wrong. Those who go underneath the earth are never said as ‘raised up’ but instead said as ‘gone down ’or ‘entered underneath’. But when Paul said that he was taken to paradise it doesn’t mean that ‘he went down’.

“I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago,(whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)such a one caught up to the third heaven”(2 Cori 12:2-3)

Jesus Christ on the time of his death, to one the thief beside him on the cross; who believed in him and promised to take him to paradise and not mentioned Abraham’s bosom.

“And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43)

The Jews who were followers of the Law, to the believers who believed in the law of the Tabernacle given to Abraham’s bosom; words of that tabernacle which transferred to the flesh of Jesus: whom the thief believed was favored to enter in alive in the paradise.

“Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man loves me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23).

Those who believe die in Christ will have eternal sleep are the wrong preachings that they claim forward. Instead, it is to be with Christ; Christ went first to prepare the Kingdom in Heaven.

“ And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son” (John 14:13).

Those who die in Christ with a Holy life will enter into eternal life, prepared by the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus removed the death; that’s why the sin came out. The take of the thief to paradise is a great example that Jesus removed death and sin. As the thief was a sinner. According to the Old Testament; people like the thief went to the place of sore troubles(Hell).

“Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again and shalt bring me up from the depths of the earth ” (Psalms 71:19)

But Jesus Christ showed the first act of salvation on the cross itself, to the thief who opposes the teachings of the Jewish after death will never attain heaven. To the top is Abraham’s bosom. was born of a virgin Jew Lady; Mary and to remove Sin and Death and then was resurrected: From Adam till Christ, making all the hereditaries astonished for the first time Christ entered the Kingdom, in front of God. After the Sin of Adam, when the first-born came in front of the Holy Spirit; it called Him as “Begotten One”. Who ascended in heaven after his death; their firstborn. For this reason, the Apostles of Jesus call Him the Firstborn and also add “ who was there from the beginning, of many years ago. And thus, Jesus is the first most one: before everything.

St. Paul in his preachings to the Colossae Churches makes them remember that – those who reject the firstborn and go after other things for salvation; must never think that they will enter the salvation of Christ: which was the truth.

Before Christ, 8 people entered the paradise (midrash)

Enoch ( Genesis 5:22 – 24 )
Elijah ( 2 Kings 2:11 )
Syrah ( daughter of Asher, Son of Jacob )
Eliza (servant of Abraham)
Hiram ( who helped Solomon build the first Temple, king of Tyre)
Obaid – Mileek (Ethiopian)
Jabish ( editor of the Mishnah)
Bat-yah( The daughter of Pharaoh)

As in the old testament chapters – Sateen Rabi’s view described in the book of Midrash mentions the name of 8 persons who went maybe to heaven or to paradise. some of them received eternal life, and then came back to life; which is not true. When described about Enoch, he walked with the God in belief and then he was invisible, that Is God took him up. God took him away, which means that God prepared a place for Enoch which mustn’t be the kingdom of Christ.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are not mortals but are immortals.

“For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living: for all live unto him” (Luke 20:38- 39)

God never said that the soul which rests in hell is alive; instead, it is called the place of death or a place where there is no presence of God’s divinity.

“Free among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cut off from thy hand. Thou hast laid me in the lowest pit, in darkness, in the deeps” ( Psalms 88: 5-6)

Are not my days few? Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death: A land of darkness, as darkness itself and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness “(Job 10: 20-22)

Isaiah says that hell is a place of darkness and shadow of death from where the God who dwells in the living place cannot be seen by those whose soul rest in the place of death.

I shall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the residue of my years. I said, I shall not see the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the living: I shall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the world” ( Isaiah 38:10-11).

The dwelling place of the forefathers is the place above the sky prepared by God which is the paradise and not the place where Christ dwells, but a dwelling place for the righteous man in the ancient times. Jesus says the sinners stand outside ( no entry into heaven), while the fore Fathers, and all prophets, are seated in heaven.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out. And they shall come from the east, and from the west, and from the north, and from the South, and shall sit down in the kingdom of God ” (Luke 13:28-29)

After Jesus’s resurrection to heaven, the forefathers were taken to the kingdom of Christ. Before that, they were all being tormented and sees Abraham afar off with the prophets in his bosom

And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried: And in hell he lifts up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham a far off, and Lazarus in his bosom” (Luke 16:22-23).

Colossians 1:19

VERSE

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell.“

In everything; Jesus should be at the forefront, and by Him should everything be reconciled God wished, everyone should give the first position to Christ and everything should be sanctified through Christ only. Almighty God was very much pleased to have the competency in Him. In Berean Litteral Bible, states-Father is pleased because the competence is only in Him.

King James Version states- “so that everything should exist in Him; God was pleased to Him and gave the competence of power over everything to Jesus with whole heartily”: Which made God very pleased. Those who visualize the Almighty God as the “Supreme God”, and those group which didn’t believe that Jesus is the God; if they had taken it in the Apostolic way would have understood it – that Jesus is also the Lord. Those who deny the Holiness of Jesus; are denying the Holiness of Almighty God itself.

“For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled ”(Colas:1:19,20)

Words say that: In every authority of God there was the fulness dwelt in his Son. And in which was the Almighty God was very pleased.

Colossians 1:20

VERSE

“And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth or things in heaven”

WHY DID THE FATHER GIVE EVERYTHING TO JESUS?

According to St.Paul; Almighty God wanted everything on the earth and in heaven to be sanctified, so He gave all to Jesus. And Jesus through His death sanctified everything which God gave to him.

“Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice and the vessel I received up again into heaven.” (Acts 10:12-16)

If the things are not sanctified there will be no peace in it. Whatever Satan touches is made unholy. And also all the evil powers of Satan are transferred to that object causing discomfort. And for that reason even it’s the case of man also -He should be also sanctified.

“And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.”(2 Cori 5:18-19).

The cruel old law which stated anything which was unholy shouldn’t be put forward to God. This law was completely destroyed by Jesus through his Crucifixion on the cross (Levi 11). All things he sanctified were reconciled to the Father, so all things were reconciled to God through Jesus Christ.

Abodes of the dead underground

Hades – Underground world

In Greek Bible, we see this word, more than 100 times. Also, this word is used in Job, David- Psalms, Isaiah, and Deuteronomy too. It is said that it is the kingdom of the dark and is away from God’s dwelling place.

“I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave ”(Job 10:19 -22)

“ Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering “ (Job 26:5-6)

Abyssos – Earth’s Deepest Part

It’s the deepest part of the earth, in Greek said Abyssos.

“ Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me ”(Psalms 42:7, Psalms 71:20)

“And Jesus asked him, saying, What is thy name? and he said, Legion: because many devils were entered into him ”(Luke 8:31)

The demons requested not to send them back to Abyssos, which was used here. This is the place where Satan and all the evil spirits are captives- Abyssos.

“And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand ”(Revel 20: 1)

St. Paul also asks who came to raise up Jesus from the Abyssos.

“Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (Romans 10:7)

Katoteros – Deep Underneath / Lower Part of The Earth

All the things to be complete in Christ, he was raised from the deep underneath ( Katoteros) of heaven along with many prisoners, he went to heaven means that Jesus had authority over all the living and the dead, that’s what Katoteros explains.

“There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God “(Hebrews 4:9)

” Wherefore he saith, when he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower part of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things)” (Ephesians 4:8-10)

Colossians 1:21

VERSE

“ And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled“

The Colossian Christians before becoming the Christians were living a life of enmity, and superstitions; this St. Paul states because of the business trade the city became an active commercially aggressive competitor. .Trade of Silk, trade of red carpet, and other agriculture was their major occupations of the Colosse Christians. The Colossians lived in Colosse, which was a small town located beside the Lycus River in the Lycus Valley in the geographical district called Phrygia.

THE CITY OF COLOSSE: Cities grow as they developed commercial centers that provide jobs for their residents. The ancient city of Colossae was built on a major trade route through the Lycus River Valley in the Roman province of Asia Minor (in the southwest corner of modern-day Turkey ). There the Colossians manufactured a beautiful dark red wool cloth (colossinum) for which the city became famous. There was well arrangement of stay that became the main source for the Foreigners who came here for trade and commerce. There were active and commercial aggressive competitors.

Before B.C. 100 It was the great commercial city in Asia Minor, which turned to decline after B.C. 100. The commercial declined. Later, the city turn to poverty and for the existence of Human life, they started believing and following the path of superstitions, evil crafts, and enmity too. The decline of the trade and commercial values of Colossea was due to the weak administration of the Roman Emperor. There was a small village near the Colossea. In the reign of Tiberius Caesar, the village was built; and named after his wife – Laodicea. The village trade developed and the Colossae city got declined in its trade; leading to enmity and jealousy between the two city peoples.

In A.D. 17 (in the reign of Tiberius), an earthquake occurred in the Colossae and destroyed the city completely. At this time there were no Christians Churches ( after A.D. 30 the Churches came in )in the Colossea. And again in 60 when these were rebuilt (in the reign of Nero) again an earthquake occurred. The two towns, along with neighbouring Hierapolis, were destroyed by the earthquakes though these cities were rebuilt but their commercial source, declined and never regained its early prominence again. During this period the Churches of three cities Colossea, Hierapolis, and Laodicea started believing in and adoring Jesus and started to grow.

Colossians 1:22

VERSE

“In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight“

Jesus walked for Crucification from Jerusalem and Colossea church was in Asia Minor. The Crucifixion of Jesus was not only for Israel only but it was for the whole world. Hence we should understand that from Jerusalem to the physical body of Christ, to the Gentiles of the Colossea all the believers were united together to the physical body of Jesus.

The world which considered the Gentiles unsanctified, Jesus united them together and sanctified them all. And the believers who offered themselves to Almighty God: for them, this was their faith and they all followed it.

WHO STARTED THE COLOASE CHURCH?

In Colosse, the city of Phrygia there was three thousand peoples who heard the preachings of Peter and got baptized.

“Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes” (Acts 2:10)

Those who heard the preaching of the Gospel, all came here and started the church. Then after getting the preachings from Apostle Epaphras, they were enlightened with the knowledge of the Gospel and then they all started preaching the Gospel to all these churches.

Colossians 1:23

VERSE

“If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister “

If you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which y have heard, and which was preached to every creature which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister.After discriminating against the old person, then when you listen to the words of God it turns you all to a great conversion within you. Along with it, a great hope evokes within you. If this hope is not in you, then it will lead you to the influence of false preachers. The one who is living in the faith and with the power of God, they should never lead a life against the words of God, which is what we should always remember.

St. Paul traveled four times for the mission. St. Paul doesn’t mean that for preachings of the Gospel, he went to all places under the sky; instead, it meant that all creatures of the countries of Asia Minor and of all the Roman countries, to all the languages, to the man on the heights till to the man at the lowest should receive the word of God.

Colossians 1:24

VERSE

"Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church"

fill up in my flesh what is lacking in regard to Christ’s afflictions

Greek -Thlipseon Tou Christou (Eg Affections of the Christ)

Those who believe that I will receive resurrection will get it when they are alive; they will get the visions of it too. From within us the fear of Death diminished and a strong belief of to been risen will invoke in us. And because of this; anyone who suffers severe problems in their life will be able to get relief in the Almighty Jesus and know about the power of the resurrection.

“That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death” (Philip 3:10)

Pascho; the physical suffering of Jesus is more unbearable than the mental state of the person who faces death face to face which according to St. Paul meant that the pain of the resurrection is much more painful. Though St. Paul talks not only about the physical pain of Jesus he was referring to the mental strain; which was much more unbearable.

When St. Paul came to know about the sufferings of Coloasse’s believers, he felt very happy, because he viewed the resurrection of theirs. St. Paul states that the sufferings suffered by Christ if it was less are valued; this statement was misunderstood by many wrong theories of many scholars. Some state that St. Paul suffered much more than Jesus. And some state that the sufferings of Christ were not much miserable. The Crucifixion of Jesus was not so painful; is the thoughts stated by others. But St. Paul states that Church is the body of Christ, and its parts are St. Paul and other believers of the Coloasse Churches. Whatever pain was suffered by St. Paul was born by Jesus’s body. Whatever sufferings the body of Christ – Coloasse Churches bears suffered due to the false preachings; as the part of the body St Paul claims that they are the preponderance.

Because of understanding the fact of the value of the sufferings they suffered the Apostle wanted to be with them. When their fellow brothers suffered then, the believers of God had never let them be alone. For eg: when pain is suffered by the eastern part of the body then the other parts of the North, east, and south parts also feel that same pain, and also they become part of it also too.

St. Paul had the same affection of love towards the Coloassians which is very clearly explained in the N.L.T. Bible. It states: “ I am pleased because I am Suffered for your body sake: with the sufferings of Christ’s body -churches I bear the witness for that”. St. Paul didn’t mean that the pain which Jesus suffered on the Cross was bearable but instead, he meant that the pain suffered by fellow believers was less than he was ready to take it.

Colossians 1:25

VERSE

“Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfill the word of God“

The preaching of the Gospel is the responsibility given by the Almighty God. The preaching of the Gospel to the Colossians Church was given by God to St. Paul and he spread the word of God not by himself but it’s because of the dispensation of God. The preaching of the word is to give a detailed explanation and reveal the truth to all.

Colossians 1:26

VERSE

“Even the mystery which hath been hidden from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints“

Almighty God had made the path of salvation to the world; was before the ages and from generations through the Apostles. The truth of Jesus was not revealed to the Jewish; instead, it was revealed to the Apostles only. And the preaching of the word of God by describing it outside the Gospel or opposite to Jesus‘s prophecy; any other prophecies or the teachings taught against the teachings of Apostles; all were false teachings.

Colossians 1:27

VERSE

“Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature.“

Those who believe that Jesus dwells in man; and believe the Gospel; will bless them. What the ancestors didn’t receive was given ages and generations before and was revealed to the Coloassian Church through Grace only. That responsibility was given to St. Paul and was spoken by the Apostles which was the greatest part of the secret, seen by them. If a person receives the forgiveness of sin after being a believer of the Church; he dies in everlasting Sin only. And soon he should undergo the soul’s resurrection and comes back to Life. And his soul receives into Heaven with God along with Christ.

Thus Christ dwell in them and those who have such experience were in large numbers in the beginning of the Churches. Even after taking off the Heads of such persons, many miracles happened to them. The separated head from the body has several times spoken the word of God to the enemies for a few seconds( Cephalophores – watch Jesus Vision Youtube Channel). That Jesus dwells in holiness and for that reason, they don’t have death.

Colossians 1:28

VERSE

“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. “

A Christian should always grow in the perfection of Christ. No one other than Christ is perfect. To receive the resurrection after our death we should be perfect in Christ Jesus because no one other than Christ is perfect. If Christ is dwelling in him and is growing then; he will receive the secret treasure of the Kingdom of God, and when he receives it he should never try to do anything against it, through his foolishness and fall under the influence of the worldly desire.

Colossians 1:29

VERSE

“Whereunto I labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me.“

Reply to any questionnaires regarding Christ is answerable only – due to the spirit of God inside us. The spirit of God; enlightens within like the power of fire and strengthens our knowledge to proclaim it.

The preachings of the Gospel, the prophecy fulfilment, healing of diseases all happen with the power of God. With one’s strong devotion and with the power of God, then only such great things happen through that person. And these people only are able to raise the Kingdom of Almighty God.