Daily Devotion: Who Are the Gnostics by J.E. Smith

Bible Reading: 1 John 4:1-8 KJV 

Key Verse:  "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world."
- 1 John 4:1 KJV

Gnosticism, an early Christian heresy, posed a significant threat to the early Church, promoting ungodly beliefs and practices that contradicted the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles. In this devotional, we will explore the nature of Gnosticism, its impact on the Church, and the importance of adhering to the truth of God's Word by drawing from various sources, including the Holy Scriptures, for guidance and wisdom.

Some Gnostic Beliefs

Gnostics have a parallel belief system to the Bible that is vastly different from the Bible. There is not full agreement among all Gnostics. They claim to possess secret knowledge that was inaccessible to ordinary believers. Gnosticism comes from the Greek word "gnosis" which means “to know.” Gnostics claim to possess a higher knowledge, not from the Bible, but acquired on some mystical higher plane of existence. Gnostics see themselves as a privileged class elevated above everybody else by their higher, deeper knowledge of God. This was seen as a threat to the unity of the early Church, as it created a division between the "elite" Gnostics and the rest of the Christian community.

Here are a few of examples of their unorthodox beliefs:

1. Some Gnostic texts and traditions suggest that Jesus did not die on the cross, but instead escaped and lived a secret life with Mary Magdalene. This belief is based on the idea that Jesus was a divine being who transcended human mortality. The Gospel of Philip, a Gnostic text, describes Jesus and Mary Magdalene as being in a spiritual partnership, which some interpret as a romantic relationship. The text states that Jesus and Mary Magdalene were “koinônos” (meaning “partners” or “companions”), implying a deep spiritual bond between them.
2. The Gospel of Mary Magdalene, another Gnostic text, portrays Mary Magdalene as a key disciple of Jesus and a witness to his teachings. Some interpretations of this text suggest that Mary Magdalene was Jesus’ closest companion and possibly even his wife. In some Gnostic traditions, Mary Magdalene is seen as the Anointed Bride, the female counterpart to Jesus, and their union is believed to be a sacred marriage. This idea is based on the concept of the divine feminine and the union of opposites (masculine and feminine) in Gnostic cosmology.
3. The Gnostics believe that the serpent represented good in the story of the Garden of Eden, and freed Adam and and Eve from their Evil creator. Here the serpent was a representative of the divine sphere, sent by the forces of the heavenly realm (Pleroma) to reveal to Adam and Eve the evil intentions of their creators, the archons. This is stated in the snippet: “A Gnostic interpretation of the story proposes that it was the archons who created Adam and attempted to prevent him from eating the forbidden fruit in order to keep him in a state of ignorance, after the spiritual form of Eve entered the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil while leaving a physical version of herself with Adam once she awakened him. However, the forces of the heavenly realm (Pleroma) sent the serpent as a representative of the divine sphere to reveal to Adam and Eve the evil intentions of their creators.”

In addition, some Gnostics believed that their possession of secret knowledge made them immune to the consequences of their actions, leading to moral laxity and a rejection of the importance of moral discipline.

Early Christians' View Of The Gnostics

Early Christians saw Gnosticism as a dangerous and unorthodox movement that threatened the unity and doctrinal purity of the Church. They sought to counter its influence by emphasizing the importance of the authority of scripture, the humanity and divinity of Jesus, and the goodness of God's creation.

The Early Church were the most vocal critics of the Gnostics and their teachings. Here are some quotes from prominent Early Christian writers regarding the Gnostics:

1. Irenaeus of Lyons (c. 125-202 AD) - "For the Gnostics, who are also called Barbelites, and who claim that they have a deeper knowledge of God, say that the world was not made by the supreme God, but by a certain power separate from him, and that Jesus Christ was not sent by the supreme God, but by another power." (Against Heresies, Book I, Chapter 23)

2. Tertullian (c. 155-240 AD) - "The Gnostics, who are held to be the most skilled of all the heretics, have made many efforts to defend their doctrine, but they have not succeeded in doing so." (Against the Valentinians, Chapter 1)

3. Hippolytus of Rome (c. 170-235 AD) - "The Gnostics are a sect of the heretics who are called Simonians, and they are so called because they claim to possess knowledge beyond that of ordinary believers." (Refutation of All Heresies, Book VI, Chapter 9)

4. Origen of Alexandria (c. 185-254 AD) - "The Gnostics, who are also called Ophites, say that the world was made by a certain power separate from the supreme God, and that this power is called the Demiurge." (Against Celsus, Book VI, Chapter 31)

5. Epiphanius of Salamis (c. 310-403 AD) - "The Gnostics, who are also called Barbelites, claim that there are two gods, a good god and an evil god, and that the world was made by the evil god." (Panarion, Book 25)

These quotes demonstrate the widespread condemnation of the Gnostics by the Early Church leaders, who saw their teachings as a threat to the unity and doctrinal purity of the Church. 

The Gnostics Are Still With Us

The Gnostics are still with us today. They are the ones that are preparing the world for the Antichrist. Some researchers have suggested that Gnostic ideas and teachings have influenced the development of various secret societies, including Freemasonry.

Some researchers have suggested that Gnosticism influenced the development of Freemasonry, a secret society that emerged in the 18th century. Masonic rituals and symbolism, such as the use of the All-Seeing Eye and the pyramid, have been linked to Gnostic and Hermetic symbolism.

The Rosicrucians, a secret society that emerged in the 17th century, have also been linked to Gnosticism. The Rosicrucians were known for their esoteric teachings and their use of alchemy and mysticism. Some researchers have suggested that the Rosicrucians were influenced by Gnostic ideas and teachings.

Other researchers have suggested that Gnostic ideas and teachings continue to influence modern secret societies. For example, some have suggested that the teachings of the Theosophical Society, founded by Helena Blavatsky and Henry Steel Olcott, were influenced by Gnostic ideas.

What The Bible Says

Let us consider our Key Verse above the words of the Apostle John in 1 John 4:1 (KJV), "Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world." This verse serves as a warning against the false teachings of Gnostics and other heretical groups, urging believers to discern the truth and remain steadfast in their faith.

 

Also, let us reflect on the words of the Apostle Paul in Colossians 2:8 (KJV): "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ." In this verse, Paul cautions believers against being led astray by the false teachings and traditions of the world, including the ungodly beliefs of the Gnostics.

 

Finally, let us consider the words of Jesus in Matthew 7:15 (KJV), "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." Here, Jesus warns us against the deceptive nature of false prophets, including the Gnostics, who sought to lead believers astray with their unscriptural doctrines.

 

As we strive to remain faithful to the truth of God's Word, let us remember the words of 2 Peter 2:1 (KJV), "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction." By guarding our hearts and minds against the false teachings of Gnosticism and other heretical beliefs, we can remain steadfast in our faith and grow in our understanding of God's Word.

 

In conclusion, the ungodly beliefs of Gnosticism and other heretical teachings pose a significant threat to the Church, seeking to lead believers astray with their false doctrines and practices. By remaining vigilant and faithful to the truth of God's Word, we can resist the allure of these unscriptural beliefs and grow in our relationship with Christ. 

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