Month: April 2017

Heavenly Minded

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians Study1 Comment

A Study of Colossians 3:1–4

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, Who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

The website brainyquote.com credits Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. with saying “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.”  Whatever it is that Mr. Holmes may have meant by that, it certainly was not the perspective that the Apostle Paul had and communicated by inspiration of God.

Continue reading “Heavenly Minded” →

Holding the Head—the Heart of Worship

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians StudyLeave a comment

A Study of Colossians 2:16–23

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:16-23)

Since in Christ all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in His body, and we who have believed in Him and received Him by grace through faith are complete in Him, let us talk about “worship”.

Continue reading “Holding the Head—the Heart of Worship” →

Christ and His Body

On By Charles MillerIn C. R. Stam, Colossians StudyLeave a comment

stamBy Pastor Cornelius R. Stam

https://www.bereanbiblesociety.org/part-5-christ-and-his-body/

(This is the fifth and last of a series of articles that first appeared in 1950 in Truth magazine, published by Milwaukee Bible Institute/Worldwide Grace Testimony, now the Grace Gospel Fellowship. These articles have never before appeared in the Searchlight.)

“Now ye are the Body of Christ, and members in particular” (I Cor. 12:27).

The most wonderful truth in all the Word of God is that which concerns the relationship between Christ and the Church of this dispensation, called “His Body.”

Continue reading “Christ and His Body” →

Imagine No Religion

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians StudyLeave a comment

A Study of Colossians 2:16–23

Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. Let no man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, And not holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, (Touch not; taste not; handle not; Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh. (Colossians 2:16-23)

Since in Christ all the fulness of the Godhead dwells in His body, and we who have believed in Him and received Him by grace through faith are complete in Him, what does adding religion accomplish?

Continue reading “Imagine No Religion” →

Complete in Christ, Part 3

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians Study1 Comment

A Study of Colossians 2:8–15

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:8–15)

The last study was specifically about the identification of the Christian (not the adherent of the “Christian religion”, but of the believer in Christ and His finished redemption of and for him/her) with the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.

Continue reading “Complete in Christ, Part 3” →

Complete in Christ, Part 2

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians Study1 Comment

A Study of Colossians 2:8–15

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:8-15)

We left off the last time dwelling on the fact of our completeness in Christ and how the rudiments of the world and the traditions of men will lead you away and “spoil” you.

Continue reading “Complete in Christ, Part 2” →

Romans 6:1-11, An Overview

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians Study, RomansLeave a comment

In writing the studies in Colossians, there have been several times where I pointed to Romans 6 as a starting point regarding the believers identification with Christ.  I also noted on a number of occasions the necessity of getting the doctrines that are taught by Paul in Romans correctly in order to properly move on and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery.

In this study, which is more of an overview, my intention is to get the point of this most important chapter in Paul’s fundamental “establishment” epistle.  My comments will be in italic type to distinguish them from the scripture quoted. Continue reading “Romans 6:1-11, An Overview” →

Complete in Christ, Part 1

On By Charles MillerIn Colossians StudyLeave a comment

A Study of Colossians 2:8–15

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the Head of all principality and power: In Whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, Who hath raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 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; And having spoiled principalities and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:8-15)

Now we come to another summit in this epistle:  Paul is teaching us how complete we are in Christ, and that any trying to add “the things of this world” to the completeness in Christ is much like an opposing troop utterly defeating us and carrying away our goods captive.

Continue reading “Complete in Christ, Part 1” →