National Association of Christian Ministers Summary Series: Theology
The NACM holds the Doctrine of Gnosticism as Heresy, and it Should Have No Place in the Foundation of Biblical Doctrine!
Gnosticism is an ancient religious movement that developed in the first few centuries of Christianity. It is a complex and diverse system of beliefs that shares some common features, but also varies widely in its teachings depending on the particular branch or school.
One of the key features of Gnosticism is the belief in secret knowledge or gnosis, which is believed to be the key to salvation and spiritual enlightenment. This knowledge is believed to be accessible only to a select few, and is often revealed through mystical experiences or secret teachings.
Another important feature of Gnosticism is its dualistic view of the world. Gnostics believe that the material world is evil or inferior, and that the spiritual world is good or superior. They often view the God of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) as a demiurge or lesser deity who created the flawed material world, while the true God or ultimate reality is beyond the material world.
Gnosticism also places a high value on individual spiritual experience and the search for truth. Gnostics often reject traditional religious authority and seek to achieve direct personal experience of the divine through meditation, prayer, and other spiritual practices.
Gnosticism was widely criticized and rejected by early Christian leaders and eventually died out as a distinct movement. However, its ideas and teachings have continued to influence some religious and philosophical traditions, and have been the subject of renewed interest and study in modern times.
The NACM holds the Doctrine of Gnosticism as Heresy, and it Should Have No Place in the Foundation of Biblical Doctrine!
Passages for Consideration:
1Jn 4:1-3
(1) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.
(2) By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God,
(3) and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
2Jn 1:7
(7) For many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.
