Twenty-five years after the ascension of Christ, the “mystery of iniquity” had already begun to work. This rapid influence of heretical teaching on the true gospel is understood when we realize the diversity of religious ideas that were rampant in the Roman world.
The apostle Paul preached in a world influenced by Greek philosophy, Stoic asceticism, Jewish obsession with ritual and law and Roman paganism and emperor worship. The external influences were bad enough, but some “Christian” leaders brought them inside the ecclesia by trying to blend their old Greek, Jewish or pagan ideas with the gospel.
As those who have been following the series, “After the Acts” by Brother Joseph Banta will realize, the undermining of the purity of the Gospel was in full motion by the end of the first century.
Supplementing Bro. Banta’s research, it may be helpful to summarize some of the highlights of the departure from the faith.
Gnostic’s and Judaizers
Elaborate Gnostic systems of belief were promoted by both Jews and Gentiles. It is supposed that such gnostic leaders as Cerinthus, Basilide and Valentinus were Jews who had been schooled in the philosophy of Philo Judea of Alexandria, Egypt. (Sources used for this article include, among others, Ecclesiastical History by Eusebius, An Outline of History by Durant and The Apostolic Fathers by Light foot).
A direct allusion to gnostic heresy is noted in I Tim. 6:20-21 when Timothy is warned: “keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babbling’s, and oppositions of science (gnosis) falsely so called: which some professing have erred concerning the faith.”
Although the “church” rejected formal Gnosticism, it did so only after the heresy had left its mark. That is evident from the strong statements in the epistles of John regarding those who claimed to be of God but denied that Jesus Christ came in the flesh (I John 4:1-3; II John 7). According to the gnostics, the redeemer could not have a real body, therefore the Son of God did not have human nature, i.e. according to them, Christ did not come in the flesh.
Other latent effects of the gnostic system were reinforced by those in the “church” who admired the Judaism of the first century. Gnostic emphasis on impressive rites and on mysterious doctrines, incomprehensible to the laity, coupled with the rituals and traditions of the Judaizers led to the elaborate form of liturgy as seen in the Catholic mass today. (Having been brought up a Catholic, the similarities between Jewish rituals and those of the mass are striking.) Gnostic dualism and contempt for material things along with ascetic Jewish sects (like the Essene’s) prepared the way for Christian asceticism which in turn led to Monasticism. The gnostic belief in intermediate levels of spirit beings combined with the Jewish veneration of angels led to prayer to saints as intermediaries which is such a prominent part of the Catholic system.
A direct reference to the Jewish aspect of the problem is found in Titus 1:13,14: “rebuke them sharply, that they may be found in the faith; not giving heed to Jewish fables…”
The Marcion Bible
In an interesting manner, the gnostic influence helped to discourage personal Bible study. Marcion, a gnostic Christian, began to present strange views on the scriptures. Following his excommunication (c. 140 A.D.), he established his own church in Rome and began widespread preaching activities which attracted many followers. To provide for his followers, Marcion edited the existing New Testament material, rejecting significant portions of it. He then made copies which he distributed.
Since copies of the New Testament were difficult to obtain, many read the “Marcion” Bible and were thereby converted to his community.
To counter this influence, the “church” restricted the use of the written word, encouraging people to rely instead on that which they heard in the “church.” Individual Bible study was considered potentially dangerous and was discouraged by many leaders. Thus began the long suppression of personal Bible study which is still a fact of life in many “Christian” communities.
The clergy exalted
When challenged by those such as Marcion, the “church” countered by stating that true Christianity is the religion held in those churches whose bishops are successors of the apostles. Such bishops, it was contended, had been given the authority by God to teach, preach and administer the sacraments. One leader wrote, “There is no salvation outside the church…it is not possible that he should have God for his Father who would not have the Church for his Mother. The Church is constituted of bishops and every act of the Church is controlled by their leaders. Thou shouldest know that the bishop is in the Church, and the church in the bishop, and he who is not with the bishop, is not in the Church” (Cyprian of Carthage 195-258 A.D.).
Cyprian further declared that, “the Roman Church is the mother and root of the Catholic Church…rebellion against the bishops is rebellion against God…they offer sacrifices and tend the poor.”
“He who now lets”
In II Thess. 2:6-7, reference is made to that which prevented the immediate dominance of the mystery of iniquity. We would suggest this allusion is to the apostles.
While the apostles were alive, they were a restraining influence on the apostasy. They could declare: “…which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled…for the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness…” (I John 1:1-2).
The apostasy was well under way, for the authority of the most prominent apostles was openly challenged. Of Diotrephes, John said, he was “prating against us with malicious words” (II John 10). However, Paul, Peter, John, the other apostles and those appointed by them would be very effective in blunting the advance of heresy. However, when they were gone, the restraining influence was gone with them.
Then the apostasy took over, which has continued to this day and will continue until our Lord destroys it with the brightness of his coming.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One