The Earliest Heresy to Threaten Christianity?

Colossians 2:8-9 "See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.

One of Paul's main goals, as he encourages this young church, was to teach them about the major heresy that was threatening the church. It was called "Gnosticism", which comes from the word "to know" or came to be known as "secret knowledge".  Different blends of this heresy showed up in Jewish mysticism, local religious cults, as blending Greek philosophies a strict dualism between body and spirit.  Here is a brief summary of Gnosticism and how Paul teaches in Colossians and how the person and work of Christ is directly antithetical to this false teaching. 

Gnosticism taught that God (as a Perfect Spirit) could not come into direct contact with the material world. Paul took care to point out that Jesus is God, and He came in the body of His flesh (Colossians 1:19-22).

· Gnosticism taught that since God could not have direct contact with the material world, that God Himself did not create the world, but He worked through lesser spirits or angels. Paul took care to show that Jesus was the creator of the world (Colossians 1:15-16).

Gnosticism (and some forms of Jewish mysticism) taught that God did not deal directly with man and the material world, but that He dealt with the world through a series of mediators. Paul took care to show that Jesus did the work of reconciliation Himself (Colossians 1:19-20).

· Gnosticism (and some forms of Jewish mysticism) greatly esteemed these supposed mediators, and considered them angelic beings of a sort. Paul was careful to warn the Colossians that angels should not be worshipped (Colossians 2:18).  

As I thought about all the characteristics of this false religion, I could not help but think of what is called "Kabbalah", a current form of Jewish mysticism that to me "smacks" of 1st century Gnosticism.  Click on this link 

What is Kabbalah? (reformedjudaism.org) and you make your own decision.

So what is important for us in all of this? In Christ all the fullness of God dwelt.  Jesus was the exact representation and manifestation of God.  Paul wants to remind the Colossians and us that we are rooted and established in Christ.  Paul uses the term "in Christ" 186 times in his letters. We are rooted (an agricultural term) and built up (building term) in Christ.  Simply said we have all we need in Christ.  

We don't need mediators, special rituals, or deprive our bodies in the quest of the ultimate mystical experience of God. We have all we need in Christ. He is the image of the invisible God. In Christ we have all the knowledge and experience of God's love. What an awesome thing to ponder.  You are in Christ, and Christ is in you the hope of glory.  I believe if we truly realize how profound this is in our lives it will change everything.