John Stapleton Podcast John Stapleton

1 John 2:1-2

Title: Gnosticism vs. The Incarnation: Understanding the Truth of Christ
 
Introduction:
Gnosticism is a collection of ancient religious ideas and systems that originated in the early centuries of the Common Era. It encompasses a variety of beliefs, but certain common elements can be identified:
Dualism: Gnosticism typically posits a dualistic view of the universe, where the material world is seen as evil or flawed, created by a lesser, often malevolent deity (referred to as the Demiurge). In contrast, the true, higher God is considered pure and created the spiritual realm.
Gnosis: "Gnosticism" derives from the Greek word "gnosis," meaning knowledge. Gnostics believed that salvation comes through esoteric knowledge of the divine, which frees the soul from the material world and its creator.
Cosmology: Gnostic cosmology often includes complex mythologies involving multiple divine beings or emanations from the true God. These beings play various roles in the creation and governance of the universe.
Salvation: In Gnosticism, salvation is attained through acquiring secret knowledge that reveals the divine origin and destiny of the human soul. This knowledge allows the soul to transcend the material world and return to its divine source.
Mythological Elements: Gnostic texts often contain elaborate mythologies, including stories of creation, the fall of spiritual beings, and the soul’s journey.
I. Problems with Gnosticism 
Definition: Gnosticism was a diverse religious movement that emerged in the early centuries of Christianity. It consisted of a belief in a secret knowledge that was necessary to be saved.
Key Issues:
Quotation: "God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:31, NIV)
Quotation: "Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8, NIV)
Dualism: The belief that the material world is inherently evil and the spiritual realm is good.
Flawed Christology: Gnostic texts reject Jesus's true humanity, proposing that he merely seemed human (docetism).

II. The Incarnation in Christian Doctrine 
Definition: The Incarnation is the Christian belief that God became flesh in the person of Jesus Christ.
Key Beliefs:Jesus is entirely God and fully man.
The material world is good, created by God.
Salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ, not secret knowledge.

Key Scriptures:"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." (John 1:14, NIV)
"For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form." (Colossians 2:9, NIV)

III. The Implications of the Incarnation 
Affirmation of Creation's Goodness: The Incarnation shows God values the material world.Quotation: "For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving." (1 Timothy 4:4, NIV)

God’s Nearness and Empathy: Through the Incarnation, God fully understands human experience.Quotation: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:15, NIV)

Salvation Through Jesus: Emphasize salvation through faith in the incarnate Christ.Quotation: "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved." (Acts 4:12, NIV)

IV. Refuting Gnostic Beliefs with Scripture 
Material World is Good:"God saw all that he had made, and it was very good." (Genesis 1:31a, NIV)

Jesus’ Physical Resurrection:"Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, a

1 John 1:5-10
 
 

1 John 1:1-4