WRITING CONCERNING JESUS

My initial reason for writing on Jesus:  The inspired scriptures of God in traditional  Bibles (2 Timothy 3:16) says, believing in Jesus Christ crucified is the only way to God the Father and eternal life (John 14:6; John 3:16). The Bible states this as God’s gospel truth of the way of salvation from sin (Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 1:18,21). But in talking to my “niece” Tina she said, she did not believe Jesus is the only way. She spoke of angels and other ways. My conversation with her sparked my interest in writing to share more of what I knew about the Bible-gospel of Jesus Christ crucified being the only way to God (1 Peter 3:15). I was very concerned about my “niece” being saved and living eternally with the Lord (John 3:16-18).

However, I understood that in conversing and writing, God allows each person to choose what they believe. And ultimately only the Holy Spirt can convince a person of the truth concerning Jesus Christ. (John 16:7-15). But the Bible asks, how can a person believe what they have not heard or do not know (Romans 10:14). Jesus said the Holy Spirit will use what the Lord taught his apostles, to teach others about the Lord (Mark 16:15; Acts 1:8; Ephesians 2:20). Apostles essentially agreed about what they learned from and taught about Jesus, in the four gospels of tradition Bibles. In lovingly attempting to teach others, I am convinced believers should patiently teach what is in the gospels of traditional Bibles.

EXTRA-BIBLICAL “GOSPELS” OF JESUS

In an extended conversation with Tina, she asked, “What do you know about gnosis?” She mentioned gnostic writings — The Gospel of Thomas, and the Gospel of Mary, which are said to be about private meetings with Jesus. Things they wrote that Jesus said in their private meetings are not in agreement with what traditional gospel writers reported about Jesus. According to Jesus: “A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:16; Deuteronomy 19:15). The apostle Paul said the things that Jesus did and said “were not done in a corner”—”were not done in secret.” (Acts 26:26). These gnostic “Gospels” are not included in orthodox Christian scriptures, where other apostles basically agree on what Jesus said and did in public. Following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, he told his disciples in a group, “you are my witnesses of these things” (Luke 24:44-48).

It was evident that Tina was unversed in traditional scriptures. And she said most of what she knew about gnosis came from her gut feelings. I decided to study more about gnosis, as I prayed for the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to show how teachings of gnosis compare to those of traditional scriptures. This might shed some light on the question of Jesus Christ being the only way to God, for Tina and perhaps for others like her (John 14:6). However, Jesus tells us in the  the Bible, it is the Holy Spirit who “will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me” (John 16:8-9).

The Bible: :Urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people…This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Timothy 2:1-6).

And “Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth” (2 Timothy 2:25).

BASIC BIBLE GOSPEL SHARED THROUGH A LETTER

My Dear Beloved Tina,
This letter comes as a follow-up to a conversation we had about Gnosis and Bible teachings. You asked me if I knew anything about Gnosis. You said personally you knew very little about it; and that most of what you knew came from your gut feelings about it.

However, I know very well that the Bible says:  It is appointed unto us once to die, and after death the judgment (Hebrews 9:17).  It also says, all have sinned, and if we die in our sins where Jesus is we cannot come (Romans 3:23; John 8:21-24).

Yet the biblical scriptures tell us that God the Father loved us so much that He provided the atoning death of his Son Jesus Christ as the only way of forgiveness for our sins (John 3:16; John 14:6; Acts 4:12)…

Knowing what the Bible says, I decided to study more, and share what I learn about Gnosis in comparison with the Holy Bible. At this time, I write especially with you in mind — who is near and dear to me. As you pray and read what results from my praying and studying about Gnosis and the Bible, please consider it above all, a work of love and concern.
Love, Steve

(I hope the Holy Spirit will cause this letter written to my “niece” Tina to be shared with others who are beloved by the Lord and who would benefit from it.)