In the Unley Town Hall on Monday evening the first Study Session was held to the theme, “Christ in you—the hope of glory”, based on Colossians 1.
Bro. J. Kershaw (Launceston) pointed out that the things written by Paul have a significance for us because of the problems that have beset the ecclesias in our own day. The letter reveals that Paul was greatly disturbed at the news from the ecclesia at Colosse, and so he pens words of advice and warning, urging them to stability and lo341ty in the things of Christ: “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit.”
The apostle reminds them of the central hope of their faith, pointing out that Christ was the head of the ecclesia and that their undivided allegiance was to him: “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead.” Paul directs their minds to the redemptive power of God in Christ: “To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” It was God’s wish that through Christ all believers may ultimately realise the hope of salvation and live eternally.
Paul, being entrusted with the “care of all the churches”, earnestly desired that error and heresy in Colosse, as well as in other ecclesias, should be completely and effectively eradicated, so that the spirit of righteousness in Christ should temper and develop the ecclesia of God. With this objective in view, he exhorts the Colossian believers to humility and a full cultivation of the mind of Christ so that doctrinal perversion could be expunged from ecclesial life by truly Christian precept and practice.
Bro. Kershaw drew attention to Paul’s sublime counsel for righteous and peaceful ecclesial life, so that the fruits of the spirit of holiness and grace might ascend as a pleasing sacrifice to God.
Bro. J. Knowles (Enfield) drew attention to the basic principle of the Epistle to the Colossians, which was to expose error and hypocrisy that threatened to divert some of the weaker members from Christ. Paul was determined to conquer the conflicting elements in the ecclesia with the truth of Christ’s teaching, and urging to firm establishment in orderly ecclesial life under the headship of Jesus Christ, who was to be the example in an things.
The speaker had recourse to the Psalmist’s Messianic allusion: “Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.” This was to be the exalted status of the Son of God, the firstborn by Divine consecration, ordained to headship of the ecclesia of God, so that “in him should all fulness dwell.” Christ, the firstborn, “the image of the invisible God”, reflected the Divine attributes so that the goodness and ineffable love of God could be visibly expressed in the life of Christ, as a light that shineth in dark places.
Those in Christ, whose names are inscribed in the Lamb’s Book of Life, shall be manifested in glory because they become “children of God, and if children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him that we may be glorified together.” The exhortation was to cultivate individual and collective holiness as becomes righteous disciples, seeking at all times, and in all things, to follow the teachings of Christ, and subordinating our will to the will of God, as required in the Gospel message.
Our brother remarked that the image of ourselves must be supplanted by the image of Christ, to enable the mind of flesh to be conquered and controlled by the mind of Christ. We must engage in earnest and humble self-analysis, and, while acknowledging that we are transgressors, must prayerfully endeavour to let the law of Christ operate in our lives.
Our dedicated life in Christ Jesus, can, in God’s grace, find us a place in the “general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven.” This, indeed, is the hope of glory that is offered to true believers by God through Christ, His Son.
Bro. Knowles emphasised our position as being no longer our own, but purchased with the righteous blood of the sinless Nazarene, the Messiah, and gathered as a consecrated people into the family of God.
In the discussion period that followed Bro. T. Drinkwater (Sydney Central) referred to Paul’s censure upon teaching the traditions of men, and of the constant vigilance needed to maintain correct beliefs.
Bro. J. Martin (Enfield) observed that Paul always reasoned from the Scriptures, and set the example in his own life in Christ, and that the blood of Christ’s cross has brought us peace and reconciliation with God.
Bro. E. Spongberg (Hurstville), made the comment that we must cut off the head of flesh and replace it with the mind of Christ.
Bro. H. Wiggins (Shaftesbury Road) said that we must demonstrate Christ in our lives, and be fruitful in every good work, in the spirit of joyfulness.
Bro. A. Cattermole (Adelaide) remarked that we have taken a stand for positive Christianity by virtue of our faithful induction into Christ.
Bro. E. Lanham (Hurstville) said that we must do all things in the spirit of love, loving God first, and then our neighbour.
Bro. J. Ratcliffe (Latrobe Street) pointed out that Christ had become the firstborn by resurrection from the dead. The grave could not hold him because of his sinless life.
Bro. J. Byrt (Ormond) expressed the thought that Paul never failed to expose errors in the ecclesias, and that he continually demonstrated the Sonship of Christ.
Reflections on the Potter and the Clay