Complete in Christ

Colossians 2:10-14 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 handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

• Once we are saved, we are complete in Christ.
• The word complete comes from two words which are, made full. We are made full in Him.
• Therefore, don't let anyone spoil (rob) you of this wonderful blessing. (Col. 2:8)
• We are accepted in the Beloved [Beloved One]. (Eph. 1:6)

What does it mean to be complete in Christ? The details...

• We are circumcised with circumcision made without [human] hands (Col. 2:11)
• Circumcision was a sign that made Israel stand out amongst the rest of the nations. Paul speaks of Abraham and says, "A seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had." (Rom. 4:11)
• The putting off or the cutting off of "the body of the sins of the flesh"
• When Christ was "cut off" at Calvary (Acts 2:23), we too were cut off or put to death in Christ.

• We are also buried with Him in baptism (Col. 2:12)
• This isn't talking about water baptism.
• Christ wasn't buried in water when He died. He was buried in a tomb on the earth.
• Baptism means "identification"
• We have been identified with Christ in His burial. He was buried, so were we.
• Baptism doesn't take the place of circumcision today. For the Scriptures clearly state that we are "circumcised with the circumcision made without hands" and that we are "buried with Him in baptism."
• Both of these say it is by Christ and by the operation of God. In Christ, we are made perfect. We have died with Christ, we were buried with Him, and we have also been raised with Him.
• Galatians 5:6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love.
• Now, for those that say baptism has taken circumcision's place this same argument can be made. If circumcision availeth nothing, and if baptism has taken its place now, well then it too availeth nothing.
• Both (circumcision and baptism) have been accomplished in Christ.

Romans 6:1-5 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

• "Know ye not" or "Don't you know"
• We are baptized into Christ
• Baptized into His death
• Buried with Him by baptism
• Baptized in His resurrection
• Therefore, we are complete [made full] in Christ.

Colossians 2:13-15 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.

• The Apostle Paul sums up:
• We were dead in our sins
• We had the uncircumcision of our flesh
• But now, we have been quickened (made alive) together with Him.
• And He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances and nailed them to His cross.
• Finally, Paul says Christ spoiled principalities and powers and triumphed over them in it. What did Christ rob from principalities and powers? He took away any pleasure; they might have had when they crucified Him, by rising from the dead.