HIDDEN MYSTERIES OF THE CHRIST

The Truth is slowly coming to light now that the dark ages of ignorance are being swept aside. The following is quoted from:
'Secret Gospels and Lost Christianities', by W. T. S. Thackara

"To you it has been given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of the heavens, but to them it has not been given." -- Matthew 13:11

"I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone that is of the truth hears my voice." -- John 18:37

"What is truth?" Pilate asked -- a question worthy of a philosopher. For nearly two millennia Christian theologians, clergy, and laymen alike have tried to answer it and define their identity as people "of the truth." But conflicts soon arose over what Jesus taught, and visible borders began to be inscribed defining truth and error, right views and heresy, and, inevitably, "our God and your god" -- a tragic paradox in a faith that teaches gentle loving wisdom. Discerning Jesus' actual teachings is another paradox. "Seek and you will find" is commended in both Testaments, and our surest answer is said to be in our hearts. But as to scripture and tradition, who defines truth and what is spiritually authentic?

Rehearsing a chain of events frequently observed in religions illustrates the problem: A teacher like Jesus or Gautama begins to teach. He isn't well known -- people are often satisfied with their own faith or occupied with other matters. Historians may miss him completely, causing later generations to wonder if he existed at all. Most people reject him, for he does not fulfill their expectations of what a teacher should be, and his teachings do not jibe with their own beliefs. Indeed, they often appear novel and strange, challenging established norms. But a few recognize the worth of the message and, being deeply inspired, share it with others. In time a tradition forms to preserve and transmit the teachings, which may eventually be written down. However, as this may occur decades or even centuries after the teacher's passing, his original message may be partially forgotten, infused with foreign doctrines, or otherwise altered. Further difficulties arise when we learn there are both public and private teachings, the inner mysteries being reserved for the "spiritually mature" -- an early Christian phrase. Leaving aside writings which are lost or destroyed, virtually all records of teachings are edited, some with text inserted, modified, or deleted and variant readings due to scribal errors. They are also translated, sometimes mistranslated, copies are made from copies, and over the years, little by little, the original message erodes.

There are yet more serious problems: as soon as the teacher departs, discussion arises over the content of the message. One disciple thinks the Master intended one meaning, another something different. In trying to preserve and explain the true teachings, schools of interpretation are formed, points of agreement decided upon, dogmas formalized, and there follows one schism after another -- not to mention the proliferation of counterfeit teachers and new revelations -- all claiming spiritual authority, until at length we have a smorgasbord of conflicting doctrines, systems, and groups. A replay of the tower of Babel -- a confusion of languages -- and, regrettably, a pattern from which few religious movements have been exempt.

This pattern, as it applies to Christian history, is well known to scholars, clergy, and the educated public. However, since the 1945 discovery of a unique collection of early Christian documents at Nag Hammadi, Egypt, augmented by the Jewish Dead Sea scrolls and other 20th-century finds, the ways in which this story has been interpreted, understood, and retold have distinctly changed. In 2003 several books by respected scholars of early Christianity have synthesized over a half-century's work on the Nag Hammadi writings and their relationship to traditional Christianity. Taken together, four of these books offer a thoughtful, accessible, yet detailed study of the diversity of early Christian communities from the time of Jesus to the formation of the New Testament canon, and the diverse ways in which that history has been told since.* As their titles indicate, they focus on those groups and writings which emphasized Jesus' secret teachings -- the mysteries and hidden wisdom of God referred to in the New Testament -- and the importance of gnosis ("knowledge," spiritual discernment, or enlightenment) as both necessary to, and the fruit of, spiritual regeneration.

*Elaine Pagels, Beyond Belief: The Secret Gospel of Thomas, Random House, New York, 2003; ISBN 0375501568

Marvin Meyer, Secret Gospels: Essays on Thomas and the Secret Gospel of Mark, Trinity Press Int'l, Harrisburg, PA, 2003; ISBN 1563384094

Bart D. Ehrman, Lost Christianities: The Battle for Scripture and Faiths We Never Knew, Oxford University Press, 2003; ISBN 0195141830

Karen L. King, What is Gnosticism?, Harvard University Press, Cambridge, 2003; ISBN 067401071x

Up to 1945 most information about the Gnostics was second and third hand, derived mainly from the censorious writings of the early heresiologists, such as Irenaeus, Tertullian, Clement of Alexandria, and Epiphanius.* Their efforts were largely motivated by the perceived need to define the content of faith in order to weld together a cohesive Christian community, whose fragile existence was frequently threatened by persecution without and divided opinion within. Aside from combating distortion, fantasy, and imposture, one of the most intractable problems centered on esoteric knowledge -- the mysteries alluded to by Jesus: how to define the indefinable, "that which cannot be, or is unlawful to be uttered," and to distinguish it from what they felt was "falsely so-called gnosis." Just as in today's living New Age laboratory, there was a surfeit of divergent claims in the first few centuries of the Christian era. As Bart Ehrman points out, winners write the history books and choose the sacred texts. For the early "proto-orthodox" Church Fathers, creating a Christian identity meant not only defining the structures and contents of faith, but also defining their opponents by showing how different, wrong, and evil their doctrines were -- in contrast to Jesus' authentic teachings as transmitted by the apostles and their appointed heirs. However, the documents found at Nag Hammadi,** many of which also claim apostolic authority, reveal a picture of some of these "lost Christianities" that doesn't mesh with the standard versions in significant and fundamental ways.

*The words gnosis, gnostic, and gnosticism are being reevaluated in light of the new material -- a central issue in Karen King's study. Prior to 1945, only a few works by Christian gnostics were available, such as the Pistis Sophia and the two Books of Jeu, as well as some non-Christian Hermetic, Mandaean, and Manichaean texts (see Kurt Rudolph, Gnosis, 1987, pp. 25-30). One can also speak of an Orphic, Pythagorean, Platonic, and an Oriental gnosis, but all of these including the Jewish and Christian are part of a larger story concerning the universal Mystery tradition.

**Full text translations are collected in a single volume, The Nag Hammadi Library in English, James M. Robinson, ed., 3rd edition.

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See also: R. A. Anderson, Church of God? or the Temples of Satan: A Reference Book of Spiritual Understanding & Gnosis, TGS Publishers, 2006; ISBN 0978624963





PLU

greetings My brother, Bob By your write up on the Explainations Here, I can see You are enlightened into the Potentials of these Scriptures and More Importantly the Mysteries of Christ. I have read many Elaine Pagels works, were she is most articulated in Carrying out discription of Content concerning the Gnostic Understandings.
Your post is most excellant into the History of them even to the proof of them by the unproving nature of Ireneus and the others as Heresy. It sure must be rough gathering Knowledge from ones that donot believe, only from them listing of things not to believe ayy?

May I ask You Brother if You have Performed any of the Mysteries in the Father in the fashions and ways discribed by Christ.? I know how personal they are, much more so then even Gnosis itself which is also Highly personel, but a bit more transcendent amung Many in direct spiritual meaning between Spirits.

For my understanding in this wonderous most Loving journey within the Father , and all he has taught through the Holy Spirit and Guided by Christ all my life. I will breifly explain the levels a soul goes through and cycles in. Needing Child within/and without- This level for some remains till old age and death if not sought seeking Child within/ Christ without - your typical traditional Church goer always feeling unworthy . After this level and worthyness is achieved within theyself Christian Gnosis Then Gnosis which is the inner pathway to finnaly The Gnosis in Mysteries the next level will not be revealed tell the Consumation which is ..........The expansion of the Universe Christ will give Us.

Within this Board if may try tell one account of my Journey within the Mysteries and the performance, well the results really of it through the Father.
This Mystery was givin under the direction to the Disciples by Christ only to be performed and not taught to anyone untill; The Kingdom is spread of the whole world by them through His teaching. For he told them it is not I who will save the world but you Disciples will. He just brought the orders to them to perform basically. As He told Andrew who was in doubt of this powerfull knowledge he had , the Christ told Him don`t you understand Andrew for you all were hand picked by me from the Spirits of the 12 Saviors in the treasury of Lights, and will be returning to your Righteous inheritance of that when all is accomplished.

OK, Recently I had to put, release my Dog back to the treasury of lights, ya put to sleep ... I was in a fighting way to keep God on High in me in the joyous cents of being , and not adhearing to the Body in a not owning bear anymore. This may sound strange to some..Bear with me, hmmm that was her name too . ok after 3 -4 went by My Cat was in a bad way, for she was 17 years old, and always strong, but after her life style to Bear my Dog, I think the lack of that love was taking its toll. so she was not looking good at at all, not eating or anything, skinney ragged and making noise , very much in pain over the situation. I was cry alot about this time lol... thinking as I tryied to make her comfortable, that the next day I would bring her down as I did My dog. But as I knelt down by her cry with God, and under the Spirits direction from my reading and wanting to know the power within the mysteries, but actually abit shy to actually perform them on thinking I would not do a good enough Job right now in the ineffable Fathers Eyes for them.
I proceeded as I asked Him Could it work for a Cat also. He related to me with great impression that we are a race that is above all races apon the earth to rule and do what you wish. For men Yes for lower species ..Absolutly.. and was indicated to continue. So with Connecting from the heart to the Father that is the First Mystery in all Love I performed the Myster of the dead, or Sick, or healing. Yes the same one Christ Gospels have mentioned. And simply ask from the heart, with all unselfishness and Joy, and crying my I add unto His Power only, to allow Her Spirit to come out of the Body and Proceed back to the Treasury of Lights from which it came in all pureness, which will pass by the Achons and the rullers of the midst with no need to give apologies to do to that thier souls are not made with a counterfeit Spirit to attach sin to, and it is from My heart within You Father. Amen.
I then composed myself and continued My office work with a great peace over me , but much concern of what I may have to do tomarrow. After about 45 mins or so, I felt a need to stand up and check on the cat. As I stood in the Door way of my office , The Cat let out a sigh, as I felt awww she is finnaly relaxing , watch her strech out.. I was turning back to the office , when I said wait a min... yes after checking Her, she had passed that moment, and I felt the spirit Leave her body which actually put a smile on my face.
I had forgotten what the Scripture stated in all its exact words, so I read it again. For Christ said, in performing a healing in the father, it will happen almost immediatly, but with releasing a Soul from the Body after performance of this mystery it will happen by The father of his choosing within an Hour.. This all happen , and every word was fulfilled with what I had Performed then, in fact Through Gnosis that next day the Spirit revealed the reason I was to see with proof of that which I performed under the direction of the Christ in the Father by bringing me to the doorway to see.

This is my first disclosure of this to anyone, This Group is well educated in what Gnosis is about with and open heart and mind and felt there may be some that see. The Spirit here reminded me That I was not just talking to bob, but the group also, and cued me to continue diclosing witness of that Performance. We all have the potential to do great things in the Father Friends such as You all.

62 Jesus said, "I disclose my mysteries to those [who are worthy] of [my] mysteries.

Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing."
Gospel of Thomas

The left hand are those that would not understand what I have said and Laugh are call it a coencidence, The Mysteries are a personal choice above all else, You cannot happen to know them. Truely.

This is Truely a Blessed Moment for the Father to see.

Brother Thomas

Lately, I've been wondering if animals have souls, and whether I should bless them w/ Thought. I consider your response sincere, Prism1111, and I believe this must be an answer to heartfelt question(never really an overt question, but those must be the more important ones, huh?) Could you elaborate on the "process" you mentioned? What do you exactly mean by "Needing child w/in and w/out" Do you mean the spiritual desires and needs, dependence to our Father, like a baby, or somethin else.

By the way, what else could truth be but Truth?
What else could God be but Good?
What is justice? Justice is Justice.

theeternaliam wrote:Lately, I've been wondering if animals have souls, and whether I should bless them w/ Thought. I consider your response sincere, Prism1111, and I believe this must be an answer to heartfelt question(never really an overt question, but those must be the more important ones, huh?) Could you elaborate on the "process" you mentioned? What do you exactly mean by "Needing child w/in and w/out" Do you mean the spiritual desires and needs, dependence to our Father, like a baby, or somethin else.

By the way, what else could truth be but Truth?
What else could God be but Good?
What is justice? Justice is Justice.

Eternal it would do well to seek to understand exactly what a "Soul" is? What is a "Pre-existent Soul Self"? So any question that pushes you towards Self Knowledge is good either way. Soul reality is difficult often to comprehend, the Authentic Soul of Light which is your True Awakened Self, is a literal Being of luminous Light and is not in the body, although interconnected to the level of mind at this level, in the same way that a spectrum of color has phases, each color initiates its own nature and out of the whole of colors each separate variation represents a whole unto its scheme, a distinct color variation with its own vibration, but also equally interconnected with the other colors as one part/shade of the whole of the color spectrum. So the fullness within ourselves never negates the individual parts, in fact the spectrum of whole is the sum of the many color variations.

So I would imagine that the question becomes, what is the "Soul," then one can accurately define what is and isn't, since the Soul of Light, is not of this world and exist on a higher Hierarchy of our Inner Cosmology or Holarcy.

Anyone want to define what the Soul is? Thoughts?

theeternaliam , I am truely glad My post created a positive energy. The workings deep into the structure of whom we are are truely wonderous, as I recieved from Reading Pistis Sophia in understanding 3 times now going on 4th.
I too for a long time, most of my life in fact wondered about is animals had souls also.. In Christs instructions to the Disciples; The disciples were asking Him a question. as to the souls that the Holy Spirit chooses to recieve the Mysteries, when Christ answered first and said "May I remind you now as I have told you afortime, that the Holy Spirit, the Parents, the Elohiem, thrice child which has many names, is in every living thing apon the earth, or none would be able to stand. For all living things Have souls men and all the beast of the earth, and I will tell you of all the styles , kinds, and fashions of each one, and the regions from which they came at the expansion of the Universe(Consumation).
This knowledge was truely wonderfull to hear being mentioned within a mention. Every word is insightfull which He teaches in this.
Now I will recite what Christ says in this same scripture to which is the basics and the workings of a soul from birth.
When the child is born Spirit is at rest with No knowledge yet imposed apon it. The child truely recieves all it needs from the world , which is the nurishment it recieves , now talking of the Body only, because the soul is has not been impression by sin yet because it does not know how because there, as of yet no Counterfeit Spirit to make it Sin. Now as the child eats things of the world the soul also receives those things of the world little by little and the counterfeit Spirit slowly develops also to help the body continue getting the things it needs of the world, which is of the rullers. now the child starts to also grow the counterfeit Spirit which will continue acting more and more on the soul enivitably to cause it to sin if not slowed or stop in a fashion from the Spirit. The Spirit will Grow from the resting point and recieve unto it, only and all things of God, and will continually do so. ex; Mothers smiles, love, playing, happy home... These things as we all know constitutes a Good upbringing. This should continue as it lives with the soul and body to the point of over taking , and stopping the actionings of what the world is doing within its Counterfeit Spirit, imposing illusions apon it the older it gets. Thus developing Knowledge of Right and wrong.
This is what I have mentioned as the Needing Child without/ and within .. at birth it is easy to see that understanding. But think for a minute if a child is hampered throughout life, with no supporting parents to the spirit, only money and work and do as I say period. The world will be its God, cause its only been taught by other counterfeit spirits worshiping things of the world. oh wait a minute... I forgot about the one hour a week of church LOL... wow that seems pretty important about now.. Thats why my heart goes out to all, not knowing what the truth realy is, Christians seeking the traditional truths of their fathers and grandfathers.
In Gospel of Thomas Christ states; woe to the soul that counts on the body, and Misserable is the Spirit that counts on them both
If the true Spirit never grows beyond the Child, age does not mater. it still seeks Things of the world, in this case now to make it happy,and worse things, But the Spirit is not Happy, without resting in the Father at all, like never slowing down chasing time, which is of the world.
Gosp of Thomas also; Great is the Spirit within You, keep seeking till you find, for if not, it will kill you.
Some pretty to the point knowledge indeed. See we are going to Judge ourselves.. at the end of this aeon as the Spirit within us at Christ returns of such power, will essentually Powerup all our Spirits on to the father for which they are within us. He says anything of this world that is not mine which is of My father, will be no more. So all those of the world will not have the strength to repent of their own Thoughts and sins. In turn those of Him will be having power to meet Him as he comes. So now every penny in the Piggy counts so to speak ayy? all is remembered and especially by You.

Another one of my short stories ayy? The Father Loves us always and like us Dads here. we want our children to inherit all who we are, and even better. See this is all set up as it is in Heaven also, by the Parents (Holy Spirit).

Bless you in the lord for seeking
Brother Thomas

Hello friends, I have seen here a statement which said
" what else is God but good " I do not wish to not unembelish ones feelings as not to think your own way or ours, in fact, of seeking all that is good is not correct and righteous to do so. Especially because we are beings now that is subjected into the mixture that is both, good and Bad , Light and dark which acts on the body from the collective manifestations of men in the world. This is the feeling we perceive when we are at rest primmarily, if we have not manifestated our own sence of Light from within ourselves with others, to dwell in, at rest in a completed state Good works and Spiritual agressiveness, were as the Hieght of that is God through Christ.

Now for each ones perception of what God is, that is the ineffable Father of etternity, the one that is within us, as our Spirit entity, teaching the soul through the Holy Spirit and the Gnosis of Christ, thus giving direction to the body to follow accordingly. This God needs to be viewed in context and understanding from our Spirits as the all incompassing everything, what ever was , is, and will be. I realy like the words Source of All . I heard a good example of Gods size as stated; Imagine the distance of the furthest galaxcy from Us like 100 billion light years from here, Multiply that again by 100 billion times and that would be, but one atom in Gods Body. Evil is as a piece of dirt under his foot that needs to be recognized and ended. As will the consumation of Christ will perform just that through us , His Elect. For there will be no evil that will stand left. This is another view as how He made us in His image, and we can have the Kingdom within us also. So with all this understood, the darkside is also included in this total encompasment of God. When Christ went into hades for the 3 days after the crucifiction of the body Jesus to rescue Sophia from the hold of the rullers. He took 1/3 of their power away from them all. If he did not, No man could be saved. Parabled here in KJV bible

M't:24:22: And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.

This may be also give one a little forsight on how bad things will get, in the Spiritual realm together with the physical at the end of the age, approching here now, as my reseach finds from My Gnosis with the Elohiem. For I as your Brother was directed by our parents to tell of this time ahead. truely in all Love.

After releasing Sophia from the rullers in Tartarus She ask Christ why He did not take all their power away. Christ explains to her that this was in accordance My Fathers directions at this now it will be done in this way. so you see the dark side or bad, is under the eye of the Father (God) also.

In understanding the how, and why the dark came to be from the Apoctyphon of John and others , like the Apostasis of the Archons, one can start to understand the reasons why all these things have to be done in this way. The forth comming of the Dark entity was a grave thing in the Celestrial realm, which has to be corrected as to like our own missdealings in our lives. Many souls in this world have from asuming one thing wrong about a situation thus not being in order respecting the all, sometimes takes years, or tens of years to reconcile the selfish(or deficient) thing done, in short. I think we can all bear wittness to that one, and I speak for myself mainly.

Another way of looking at why Evil is also of God, or the defecientcy that was created. In our lives Does not the Parents take on the act of thier young son or daughter, when they brake a window of a neighbor, in salutations, property including the fixing of, and also lessons learned and taught for the Child. will maybe not so much these days, but when I was a boy. ok ya ya I`m old LOL

The truth of the Fathers whole gasp of everything is truely awsome and heart warming to know actually, But this is why we need Christ direction through it all, as He states ; For I am the Gnosis of the Universe.

Much Love to you all
Brother Thomas

those dark saying too hard for the babe to eat