Gnostic - Early Exposure
In the writings of the Early Church one of the ealiest writiings that exposed the Gnostics as false teachers was written by Justin Martyr. In this chapter you will see that in his dialog with Trypho he is questioned as to why there were people that confess Jesus, but were doing things contrary to his doctrines.
There are four primary points that arise out of this chapter that we will review after the writings of Justin.
1. They did not teach his doctrines.
2. They teach to blaspheme the Maker of all things, and Christ
3. They "inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hand"
4. They "bear the name of the philosophy which he follows from the name of the father of the particular doctrine."
Justin [a.d. 110–165]
Exposing the Heritics
Chapter XXXV.--Heretics confirm the Catholics in the faith.
http://www.ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf01.viii.ii.xxviii.html
And Trypho said, "I believe, however, that many of those who say that they confess Jesus, and are called Christians, eat meats offered to idols, and declare that they are by no means injured in consequence." And I replied, "The fact that there are such men confessing themselves to be Christians, and admitting the crucified Jesus to be both Lord and Christ, yet not teaching His doctrines, but those of the spirits of error, causes us who are disciples of the true and pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, to be more faithful and stedfast in the hope announced by Him. For what things He predicted would take place in His name, these we do see being actually accomplished in our sight. For he said, Many shall come in My name, clothed outwardly in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.' " [2035] And, There shall be schisms and heresies.' [2036] And, Beware of false prophets, who shall come to you clothed outwardly in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.' [2037] And, Many false Christs and false apostles shall arise, and shall deceive many of the faithful.' [2038] There are, therefore, and there were many, my friends, who, coming forward in the name of Jesus, taught both to speak and act impious and blasphemous things; and these are called by us after the name of the men from whom each doctrine and opinion had its origin. (For some in one way, others in another, teach to blaspheme the Maker of all things, and Christ, who was foretold by Him as coming, and the God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, with whom we have nothing in common, since we know them to be atheists, impious, unrighteous, and sinful, and confessors of Jesus in name only, instead of worshippers of Him. Yet they style themselves Christians, just as certain among the Gentiles inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hands, and partake in nefarious and impious rites.) Some are called Marcians, and some Valentinians, and some Basilidians, and some Saturnilians, and others by other names; each called after the originator of the individual opinion, just as each one of those who consider themselves philosophers, as I said before, thinks he must bear the name of the philosophy which he follows, from the name of the father of the particular doctrine.
1. They did not teach his doctrines.
See Jesus - Unconditional Election
See Jesus - Irresistable Grace
See Jesus - Perserverance\Onse Saved Always Saved
2. They teach to blaspheme the Maker of all things, and Christ
See Calvin - God the Author of ALL Events
See Calvin - Jesus' Corporeal Death = Nothing
3. They inscribe the name of God upon the works of their own hand
See Calvin - His Writings are God's Work
4. They think they "must bear the name of the philosophy which he follows from the name of the father of the particular doctrine."
And they are called Calvinist after the father of the particular doctrine, just as the Valentinians, Marconians and others were.
Justin is so right for this causes us who are disciples of the true and pure doctrine of Jesus Christ, to be more faithful and stedfast in the hope announced by Him. For what things He predicted would take place in His name, these we do see being actually accomplished in our sight.