The doctrine of salvation by knowledge. This definition, based on the etymology of the word (nosies "knowledge", Gnostic's, "good at knowing"), is correct as far as it goes, but it gives only one, though perhaps the predominant, characteristic of Gnostic systems of thought. Whereas Judaism and Christianity, and almost all pagan systems, hold that the soul attains its proper end by obedience of mind and will to the Supreme Power, i.e. by faith and works, it is markedly peculiar to Gnosticism that it places the salvation of the soul merely in the possession of a quasi-intuitive knowledge of the mysteries of the universe and of magic formula indicative of that knowledge. Gnostics were "people who knew", and their knowledge at once constituted them a superior class of beings, whose present and future status was essentially different from that of those who, for whatever reason, did not know. A more complete and historical definition of Gnosticism would be:
A collective name for a large number of greatly-varying and pantheistic-idealistic sects, which flourished from some time before the Christian Era down to the fifth century, and which, while borrowing the phraseology and some of the tenets of the chief religions of the day, and especially of Christianity, held matter to be a deterioration of spirit, and the whole universe a deprivation of the Deity, and taught the ultimate end of all being to be the overcoming of the grossness of matter and the return to the Parent-Spirit, which return they held to be inaugurated and facilitated by the appearance of some God-sent Saviour.
However unsatisfactory this definition may be, the obscurity, multiplicity, and wild confusion of Gnostic systems will hardly allow of another. Many scholars, moreover, would hold that every attempt to give a generic description of Gnostic sects is lab our lost.
there are Jude Christians
there are gnostic Christians
Jude Christianity is a collections of writings
((the holy bible))
primarily focus sing on the legalities of the Jewish religion
gnostic Christianity has a collection of writings
((gnostic bible/lost books of Eden-lost books of the bible))
primarily focus sing on how Christ showed us to live,the spirit side of christ,walking in the spirit
It's not salvation. It's no better than any false religion and there are many in this world. You need Jesus Christ in your life. Read this:
SALVATION:
For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23, see also Rom. 6:23
24 I can guarantee this truth: A single grain of wheat dozen?t produce anything unless it is planted in the ground and dies. If it dies, it will produce a lot of grain. 25 Those who love their lives will destroy them, and those who hate their lives in this world will guard them for everlasting life. John 12:24-25 (GOD?S WORD Translation)
For the sorrow according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. II Corinthians 7:10
If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us all our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness. I John 1:9, see also Isaiah 43:25
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man (or woman or child) hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me. Revelation 3:20, see also Ezekiel 36:26
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, and times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. Acts 3:19, see also Isaiah 1:18
For as many as received Him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them who believe on His name. John 1:12, see also Ephesians 2:8-10
If any man (woman or child) be in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. II Corinthians 5:17, see also Ez. 36:27
For more understanding about salvation read: Isaiah 1:18-19; 55:6-9, Ephesians 2:8-10, Ezekiel 36:26-27. May God be with you now. Jesus is the way, the true way, the only way.
Read also John 1 and 3.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%201:1-14,%203:1-21&version=NIV
For the Baptism of the Holy Ghost read Luke 3:16, John 1:33, Acts 1:5, 8; 2:4; 11:16; 19:4-6 and the book of Acts (all).
I can answer this easily. Even though I am an ex-catholic I was told once by a priest that gnosticism is being in the middle of believing but leaning more towards disbelief without proof. I was told and believe that the christian view is that you should either be on fire with your passion for the faith or out cold and not believe a word of it. These are better than being "Luke warm" and being a kinda $#Etty fire that doesn't burn too bright. But that's just my 2 cents.
gnosticism comes from the Greek word nosies which means knowledge the Gnostic's claim to have a secret revelation from God and you had to be a member of their cult for them to share it with you and you had to know the secret to be able to go to heaven
gnosticism was prevalent in the 1-2ND.. centuries, it taught that all matter was evil.
it denied the incarnation of Jesus ,
Christ only appeared to be a man.
god of the old testament was an evil deity, and was distinct from Jesus of the new testament.
they believed in multiple gods called "aeon's." and the lowest of these was supposed to be Jesus
what is gnosticism ? and what is the christian view on this?
