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  Restraining the flesh offers no benefit whatsoever.   Colossians 2:20: "If you have died with Christ to the elemental principles (*stoicheion*) of the world, why do you submit to regulations (*dogmatizesthe*) as though you still lived in the world?" *Stoicheion* refers to an ordered system and signifies humanism. To die with Christ means to be liberated from humanist ideology. While humanist philosophy is a worldly discipline, it follows a path entirely different from that of Christ. The message is that one must follow Christ rather than the humanist order of the world. *Dogmatizesthe* refers to worldly regulations. It signifies a perspective that views the church through the lens of worldly rules. This is why churches establish numerous ecclesiastical laws (governing general assemblies, presbyteries, and local sessions). They use these laws to regulate believers and attempt to resolve disputes through them. This demonstrates that the church is being governed by wor...

  Having been buried with Christ in baptism...   Colossians 2:12: "Having been buried with Him in baptism (*t ō baptism ō *), and raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead." *T ō baptism ō * ( τ ῷ βαπτισμ ῷ ) refers to the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is an ordinance recognized as the result of simultaneously fulfilling two things: the death of the body of the flesh and the birth of the body of the spirit. "Through faith in the working of God (*dia* / δι ὰ )": *Dia* means "through," indicating that the power of resurrection is manifested through the faith of Christ. The faith of Christ is the faith that believes in the work of the Cross and in the fact that God the Father would raise Him from the dead. Those who are in Christ come to possess the faith of Christ. Colossians 2:13-15: "And you, who were dead in trespasses (*parapt ō masin*) and the uncircumcision of your flesh (*sarkos*), God ma...

  It is the putting off of the body of the flesh and the circumcision of Christ.   Colossians 2:1 – 4: "For I want you to know what a great struggle (*agona*) I have for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not seen my face in the flesh (*sarki*), that their hearts may be encouraged (*paraklesin*), being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge (*epignosin*) of God's mystery, which is Christ, in whom (*en ho*) are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments (*pithanologia*)." *Agona* ( ἀ γ ῶ να ) signifies a struggle or conflict. Paul is engaged in a struggle — a struggle concerning you (the Colossians), those in Laodicea, and those who have not seen his face in the flesh. Regarding the phrase "those who have not seen my face in the flesh," the word "flesh" (*sarki*) refers to the various desires ...

  To present every person perfect in Christ.   Colossians 1:21 – 23: "Once (*pote*) you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ ’ s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith (*te pistei*), established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that was proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a servant." The word *pote* ( ποτε ) signifies a specific time in the past; an example of its usage can be found in Hebrews 1:5: "For to which of the angels did God ever say, 'You are my Son; today I have become your Father' (*pote*)? Or again, 'I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'?" Therefore, the phrase "once" (or "formerly") does not refer to a time within this world, but rather...

  2. We must discover the redemptive-historical significance within the Old Testament.   (1) Salvation Begins with Faith in God's Covenant   Ordinary people view Christians through the same lens as Buddhism. Consequently, they assume that Christians are exemplary and morally praiseworthy. When Christians engage in wrongful behavior, people respond with cynicism, saying, "Those are the ones who call themselves Christians." While this is not entirely wrong, it is not entirely right either, as Christianity deals with the issue of sin against God, not with dictating how one should live in the world. Nevertheless, immoral Christians inevitably face criticism because ordinary people view them through the lens of moral ethics. Furthermore, there are many who scoff, asking, "You have to live a good life in this world to go to heaven; does it make sense to say that simply believing in Jesus leads to heaven?" However, it seems that people think this way regard...