Bible Study Neal Parker

What Is Gnosticism? Gnosis: Means “Knowledge” Gnosis: Means “Knowledge” –Gnosticism is a real enemy of Christianity, as a heresy. –Philosophy of the Roman Empire Gnostic Philosophy Gnostic Philosophy –Matter from the material work is essentially evil –Only Spirit is good –Stoics – God is in all things and all things are God. –Epicureans – Pleasure rather than truth was the pursuit of life.

What Is Gnosticism? Gnostic Philosophy Gnostic Philosophy –Incarnation was impossible, because God could not unite Himself with anything evil, such as the human body. –Jesus only seemed to have a body, but actually He did not. –Jesus was both a human and a divine Christ. Divinity came upon Him at His baptism and left Him, just before the crucifixion. –Since the body and spirit are separate; what the body did had no effect on the spirit. –Nothing the body did was a sin, sin is a spiritual thing

What Is Gnosticism? Gnostic Philosophy Gnostic Philosophy –Existed before Christianity; danger came when it’s teachings were added to Christianity –Christians could not sin, because the body and spirit were separate. –Denied Jesus Christ’s virgin birth –Denied that Jesus was God –Subtle changes, but drastic and essential changes to what Christians were to believe in the written word.

I John 3: Themes John tells the Church that is an awesome thing to be considered children of God. John tells the Church that is an awesome thing to be considered children of God. God commands that we believe in the name of Jesus Christ and all that represents. God commands that we believe in the name of Jesus Christ and all that represents. We are to abide in Him and He will abide in us. We are to abide in Him and He will abide in us. As His children in the faith, we are not to be deceived by anyone. As His children in the faith, we are not to be deceived by anyone.

…Hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure: …Hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure: –Refers to an unshakeable confidence concerning the future –Our lives are not be characterized by sin, but by doing what is right. I John 3

When will the sons and daughters of God be fully like Christ? When will the sons and daughters of God be fully like Christ? –God’s plan for us to be like Christ  Romans 8:19 and 29 –Bear His Image  I Corinthians 15:49 –Transformed by the Spirit  II Corinthians 3:18 –Revealed with Jesus in glory / Partake of the Divine nature  Colossian 3:4  II Peter 1:4 I John 3

Love of God: Love of God: –Agapo and Agape / Greek –“to love” ; in a moral / social sense”. –“to have affection for”; denoting personal attachment regarding will and duty. I John 3 …keep His commandments and do the things pleasing in His sight: …keep His commandments and do the things pleasing in His sight: –Two parts

I John 4: Themes Warning of false teachers (teachings) and their identifying marks. Warning of false teachers (teachings) and their identifying marks. Our motivation is love God and others (following the example of Jesus Christ). Our motivation is love God and others (following the example of Jesus Christ). We are told to test the spirits, through the use of God’s Holy Spirit We are told to test the spirits, through the use of God’s Holy Spirit

Why is it necessary to “test the spirits”? Why is it necessary to “test the spirits”? –Proverbs 14:15 – Naïve believe everthing –I Timothy 4:1 – Latter times some will fall away from the faith through deceitful spirits –II Timothy 3:13 – Imposters will proceed from bad to worse; deceiving and being deceived I John 4

What are the identifying marks of a deceitful spirits? What are the identifying marks of a deceitful spirits? –Jude 1:15-19  Grumblers  Finding Fault  Following after their own lusts  Speaking arrogantly  Flattering people for gain  Cause divisions  Worldly-minded  Devoid / Empty of the Spirit I John 4

I John 5: Themes The Faith will see the Church / Christians through every conflict. The Faith will see the Church / Christians through every conflict. Recaps important concepts for Christians. Recaps important concepts for Christians. –Being begotten of God –Belief in Jesus, as the Christ –Promise of Eternal Life through Jesus Christ –Resisting temptation / Not committing sin –Overcoming the World and it’s influences on our lives