By Dr. Jürgen Bühler, ICEJ President

The Second Epistle of John is not only one of the shortest books of the Bible but also one of the most ignored ones. Most of 2 John is of a salutatory nature and only a few verses give short doctrinal admonitions and encouragements. Yet one of these short statements has gripped my attention lately.

“For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist.” (2 John 1:7)

Most commentaries agree this verse referred to a new movement in the Church called Gnosticism, whose influence is still being felt today. Gnosticism was a Greek-influenced school of mystical thought. One of their teachings held that Jesus was merely a spiritual being who could not die on the Cross. This attacked a core tenant of faith for the early Church. The Cross is central to the Gospel, just as Paul declared: “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2) So, it is clear why the Apostle John saw the need to confront this erroneous doctrine as an anti-Christ spirit.

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