Colossians 2:10-12

Christ is the head over all spirit beings ("rule and authority"). Christ’s sufficiency is evident in three things that God has done for us in Him: spiritually circumcised us (Colossians 2:11-12), forgiven our sins (Colossians 2:13-14), and given us victory over the forces of evil (Colossians 2:15).

Our spiritual circumcision (Colossians 2:11) took place when God regenerated us (cf. Galatians 5:24). It involved Christ cutting off the domination of our sinful nature (flesh), which slavery characterizes the unregenerate person (cf. Romans 7:24-25). "Baptism" (Colossians 2:12) is Spirit baptism.

"Paul turned [in Colossians 2:11] from the theological errors of the false teachers to their practical errors-from ’Gnosticism’ to legalism." [Note: Geisler, "Colossians," p. 677.]