1. The early Christians believed Jesus was _______. God

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14 (NIV)

Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said Suddenly Jesus met them. “Greetings,” he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. Matthew 28:9 (NIV) Compare: Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.’” Luke 4:8 (NIV)

Council of Nicea in 325 voted 318 to 2 the following statement: The Creed of Nicaea “We believe in one God, the Father, Almighty, Maker of all things visible and invisible; and in the one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, begotten of the Father, only-begotten, that is, from the substance of the Father; God from God, Light from Light, Very God from Very God, begotten not made, of one substance with the Father, through whom all things were made…”

2. Mary Magdalene was _____ married to Jesus. not

a. Mary is one of 7 with this name in the Bible a. Mary is one of 7 with this name in the Bible. Mary is not a prostitute and not to be confused with the sinful woman of Luke 7:36-50 or Mary of Bethany in John 11:1.

b. Mary had 7 demons cast out of her by Jesus b. Mary had 7 demons cast out of her by Jesus. She was from the city of Magdela, a small city located near the Sea of Galilee. Luke 8:1-3

c. Mary was present at the cross with Jesus’ mother, John and others c. Mary was present at the cross with Jesus’ mother, John and others. Matthew 27:55-56

d. Mary was at the tomb as Jesus was buried. Matthew 27:61

e. Mary was a witness of the resurrection. Matthew 28:1

f. Mary clings to Jesus after He appears to her. John 20:11-18

Who were the Gnostics and what did they believe?

The word “Gnosis” = “Knowledge”

In the second century AD a broad spiritual movement grew up and developed several forms over the next 200 years. The movement was called, “Gnosticism,” because the common thread between all of its different groups was the each of them had special knowledge, which only insiders could possess.

They believed matter was evil, so in their eyes Jesus could not claim to be God in the flesh.