Joined To An Angel The Gospel of Philip

Joined To An Angel

Joined to an Angel

**“He said on that day in the thanksgiving, ‘You who have joined the perfect light with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also, as being the images.’”** — *The Gospel of Philip*  

**“So if the image and the angel are united with one another, neither can any venture to go into the man or the woman.”** — *The Gospel of Philip*  

The idea that believers are joined to an angelic counterpart has deep roots in both biblical and early Christian mystical traditions. The Gospel of Philip describes this union as a joining of the perfect light with the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Theodotus speaks of baptism as restoring believers to their angelic form, stating that "the angels of whom we are portions were baptized for us." In this understanding, each saint has an angelic companion, a heavenly minister assigned to them, guiding them toward divine restoration.  

### **Angels as Ministers to Believers**  

The Scriptures affirm that angels are intimately involved in the lives of believers. Hebrews 1:14 describes them as "ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation." Jesus Himself confirms this in Matthew 18:10:  

**"Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven, their angels always behold the face of My Father who is in heaven."**  

This passage suggests that each believer has an angel who intercedes on their behalf before God. The early church also acknowledged this reality. When Peter was miraculously freed from prison and appeared at Mary’s house, the gathered believers initially thought it was not Peter but his angel (Acts 12:14-15). Such an assumption demonstrates their awareness of a close relationship between each person and their angelic counterpart.  

Even Jesus had His own angel. Revelation 1:1 states:  

**"The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John."**  

If Jesus, as the Son of God, had an angel to deliver revelation on His behalf, how much more are His followers given angelic guidance?  

### **Uniting with the Angelic Image**  

The Gospel of Philip describes a profound mystery:  

**“You who have joined the perfect light with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also, as being the images.”**  

This statement suggests that believers, as images of God, are to be united with their angelic counterparts. The phrase "image" refers to the divine likeness in which humanity was created (Genesis 1:26-27). When this image is fully restored through knowledge (*gnosis*) and spiritual rebirth, the believer becomes inseparable from their angelic identity.  

This idea is reinforced in *The Gospel of Philip*, where the joining of an image and an angel prevents external forces from entering a person:  

> “If the image and the angel are united with one another, neither can any venture to go into the man or the woman.”  

The believer who attains unity with their angelic counterpart becomes sealed, protected from the influences of the fallen world. This is a transformation not of flesh alone but of spiritual nature—a restoration to the divine image.

Theodotus expands on this idea by explaining that baptism is a means of regaining angelic unity:  

**"Through baptism, we are raised up equal to angels and restored to unity with the males, member for member."** (*Excerpts of Theodotus 22:2*)  

This means that the spiritual transformation brought about by baptism is not just about cleansing from sin but about realigning with the divine order, where humanity and angels exist in harmony.  

### **Marriage to an Angelic Counterpart**  

The *Exegesis on the Soul* describes this union in the language of marriage:  

**"Then, by the will of the Father, the bridegroom came down to her in the bridal chamber, which had been prepared. And he decorated the chamber... Once they unite with one another, they become a single life."**  

This reflects Genesis 2:24:  

**"They shall become one flesh."**  

Just as marriage unites two into one, the believer is spiritually joined to their angelic counterpart, forming a single life. The idea of an angelic "bridegroom" suggests that the human and the angelic form a unity, just as Christ and the Church are one body.  

### **Receiving the Angelic Body**  

A key aspect of being joined to an angel is the transformation of the believer’s nature. As Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 15:49:  

**"As we have borne the image of the earthly, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly."**  

This suggests that believers will receive a new, incorruptible, angelic body. Theodotus further explains that when someone is baptized in the Holy Spirit, they already begin to take on an angelic body even while still in their physical form. This process is completed at the Resurrection, when believers are fully clothed in immortality.  

### **The Second Baptism: Redemption in the Name of Yahweh**  

Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19:  

**"Baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."**  

While many interpret this as a Trinitarian formula, a closer look reveals that the text speaks of *one name*, not three. This name is **Yahweh**, the divine name meaning "I will be who I will be." Baptism in this name signifies redemption and restoration to divine unity.  

The *Excerpts of Theodotus* clarify that this baptism is a second baptism, beyond the initial water baptism:  

**"At the laying on of hands they say at the end, ‘for the angelic redemption,’ that is, for the one which the angels also have, in order that the person who has received the redemption may be baptized in the same NAME in which his angel had been baptized before him."**  

This shows that baptism is not just about repentance and forgiveness but about reclaiming one’s angelic identity and entering the divine fullness, the Pleroma. Through it, believers receive the power to transcend worldly limitations, as Theodotus explains:  

> “Now since we existed in separation, Jesus was baptized that the undivided should be divided until he should unite us with them in the Pleroma, that we ‘the many’ having become ‘one,’ might all be mingled in the One which was divided for our sakes.”  

This echoes Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28:  

> "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

### **Entering the Pleroma Through Redemption**  

The ultimate goal of being joined to an angel is entry into the **Pleroma**, the fullness of divine presence. Theodotus describes this as becoming "equal to angels," echoing Jesus’ words in Luke 20:36:  

**"For they cannot die anymore, because they are equal to angels and are sons of God, being sons of the resurrection."**  

The second baptism marks the believer’s final passage into the Pleroma, the eternal realm of divine truth and presence. The *Gospel of Philip* captures this reality:  

> “You who have united perfect light with holy spirit unite the angels also with us, as images.”  

This prayer embodies the culmination of divine redemption—uniting believers with their angelic nature as reflections of divine harmony. The journey from earthly existence to divine fullness is completed in the name of Yahweh, through which all things are restored.*  

This reveals that Jesus' mission was to restore humanity to divine unity, bridging the gap between heaven and earth.  

### **Conclusion**  

To be joined to an angel means to be restored to the divine order, where believers are no longer bound to the limitations of the flesh but are united with their angelic counterparts. Through baptism, believers regain the image of God, taking on an incorruptible body and becoming "equal to angels." This is not merely a future hope but a present reality, as the Holy Spirit sanctifies believers and prepares them for the fullness of the Pleroma.  

By understanding this mystical union, believers can walk in divine authority, knowing that their angelic companion stands before the throne of God, interceding on their behalf. The goal is not just salvation but full participation in divine life, where humanity and the angelic realm are one in Yahweh’s eternal purpose..

He said on that day in the thanksgiving, "You who have joined the perfect light with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also, as being the images." The Gospel of Philip

So if the image and the angel are united with one another, neither can any venture to go into the man or the woman. The Gospel of Philip

If we look at Hebrews 1:10, we can see that the Angels are our ministers. That is, each saint has his/her own personal angel, which ministers to him/her. This is not merely a fairy story taught to children as the world would have us believe, but it is clear Scriptural teaching. Consider these words of Messiah:

“take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven, their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Mat. 18:10).

The disciples who become as children before their Father have their own angels. We must not despise one of these little ones, for their Angel stands in the presence of God in heaven.

The Lord had his own Angel, spoken of in the book of Revelation:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John (Rev. 1:1).

It is evident that the Apostles believed that they each had an Angel. When Peter was released from prison, he came to Mary’s house, and knocked on the gate. A young damsel “when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his Angel” (Acts 12:14-15). Thus, not believing that Peter had been released, in seeking for an explanation, they said “it is his Angel”. Mat. 18:10; 2:13, 19; Psa. 34:7; Heb. 1:14 (Diag.).

He said on that day in the thanksgiving, "You who have joined the perfect light with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also, as being the images."

He said on that day in the thanksgiving, "You who have joined the perfect light [having received the knowledge of the truth i.e. conceived to the son by having “Christ in you”] with the Holy Spirit, unite the angels with us also [the veil is now rent within our hearts and we can see that we are one with “elohim” having the “power to become sons”], as being the images [of our heavenly Father and not of the world “in His image” humans are images of God and of the angels]."

So if the image and the angel are united with one another, neither can any venture to go into the man or the woman.

So if the image [of God i.e. the heart of “man”] and the angel [holy spirit] are united with one another, neither can any venture to go into the man or the woman. (Philip 48) [Hence “What God has yoked together, let no man put asunder”

Excerpts of Theodotus 22 And when the Apostle said, “Else what shall they do who are baptised for the dead?” . . . For, he says, the angels of whom we are portions were baptised for us. But we are dead, who are deadened by this existence, but the males are alive who did not participate in this existence.

“If the dead rise not why, then, are we baptised?” Therefore we are raised up “equal to angels,” and restored to unity with the males, member for member.

Through mystical experience or gnosis, "we are raised equal to angels, restored to the males, member to member, to form a unity" (Excerpts of Theodotus 22:2).

Exegesis on the Soul Then, by the will of the father, the bridegroom came down to her in the bridal chamber, which had been prepared. And he decorated the chamber.

This marriage is not like carnal marriage, in which those who make love with each other become satiated in their lovemaking. And as if it were a burden, they leave behind the annoyance of physical desire. They turn their faces from each other. In this marriage once they join they become a single life. As the prophet said about the first man and woman, They will become a single flesh.

One is said to be joined to an angel just as a bride is joined to her bridegroom so that "once they unite with one another, they become a single life" (Exegesis on the Soul 132: 34-35 cf. Genesis 2:24).

A human being is born again when he is given an angelic body. This can occur without him realising it and whilst he is still in his human body. Or it can occur when he is resurrected from physical death. When a human is baptised in holy spirit, spirit sanctified, becomes a saint, he gains an angelic body.

For every physical body (which is owned by a spirit), there exists a spiritual body, an angelic body, which may or may not yet be owned by that spirit. The point is that said angelic body will already be in existence as soon as the spirit enters into the physical body.

How to Conduct the Ritual of Redemption: The Second Baptism, The Ascent to the Pleroma

How to Conduct the Ritual of Redemption: The Second Baptism, The Ascent to the Pleroma

1) Initiation through Spiritual Knowledge

Redemption is Spiritual Self-Knowledge. Gospel of Thomas, Saying 3:

Whoever knows himself will discover this. And when you come to know yourselves, you will realize that you are sons of the living father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty, and it is you who are that poverty.

To know oneself is to recognize the Kingdom of God within and transcend ignorance, which is the root of spiritual decay:

“Ignorance is the mother of all evil. Ignorance leads to death because those who come from ignorance neither were nor are nor will be. But those in the truth will be perfect when all truth is revealed.” Gospel of Philip

Redemption begins with an understanding of one’s true nature and divine origin. This knowledge enables the soul to transcend its current state and move toward a higher, spiritual existence. In the Gospel of Philip, this knowledge is essential to enter the Bridal Chamber.

“These hold that the knowledge of the unspeakable Greatness is itself perfect redemption. For since both defect and passion flowed from ignorance, the whole substance of what was thus formed is destroyed by knowledge; and therefore knowledge is the redemption of the inner man.” (Against All Heresies)

The redemption must, therefore, be of a spiritual nature. For they affirm that the inner and spiritual man is redeemed by means of knowledge, and that they, having acquired the knowledge of all things, stand thenceforth in need of nothing else. This, then, is the true redemption. (Against All Heresies)

While redemption is achieved through spiritual knowledge, rituals help the initiate connect with the divine. They act as external expressions of an internal spiritual journey, symbolically aligning the participant with the Pleroma's mysteries. Though true Gnostics may ascend through knowledge alone, rituals serve as communal expressions that support and reinforce the inner knowledge necessary for spiritual elevation, without being the means of redemption themselves.

2) Participation in the Rituals

Valentinian initiates took turns performing the various tasks, ensuring a high degree of participation by the membership. According to Tertullian,
“Today one man is bishop and tomorrow another; the person who is a deacon today, tomorrow is a reader; the one who is a priest is a layman tomorrow. For even on the laity they impose the functions of priesthood.” (Tertullian, Against the Valentinians 1)

He goes on to relate that even women could take the role of bishop, much to his horror.

Baptism: This is the second baptism, the baptism of redemption.

Initiators lead participants to a place where water is, and baptize them with the utterance of these words: “Into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, into the name of the unknown Father of the universe, Yahweh— into truth, the mother of all things— into Him who descended on Jesus— into union, and redemption, and communion with the powers.”

“If you are by yourself, then it is okay to self-baptize yourself.”

Initiators recite:
I do not divide the Spirit of Christ, neither the mind of Christ nor the power of the Holy Spirit, which is merciful; may I enjoy Your name, O Saviour of truth!”

The initiated replies:
“I am established, and I am redeemed; I redeem my soul from this age (aeon), and from all things connected with it in the name of Jesus, who redeemed his own soul into redemption in Christ who lives.”

The initiate is then submerged in the water.

The bystanders add:
“Peace be to all on whom this name rests.”

3) Anointing with Balsam

Anointing with fragrant oil symbolizes spiritual perfection. After baptism, the initiated is anointed with balsam,
“For the oil over the head of the initiate also place some on the forehead making a mark on the forehead.”
(Ezekiel 9:4, 6; Revelation 14:1)

The mark on the forehead should be the Hebrew letter tav" (ת).

4) Laying on of Hands

A leader or guide may place hands on the participant, invoking the power and wisdom of the divine to fill and guide them.

In Numbers 8:10, God's people lay their hands on the priests to officially commission them as their representatives before God.
“Acts 8:14-17, 1 Timothy 5:22”

5) Sacred Pronouncement or Chanting of Vowels

In Valentinian cosmology, vowels represent divine powers. Chanting these sounds forms part of the ritual, symbolizing connection with the Aeons and the fullness (Pleroma) of divine presence.

“The name which is hidden from every deity, and dominion, and truth which Jesus of Nazareth was clothed with in the lives of the light of Christ— of Christ, who lives by the Holy Spirit, for the angelic redemption.”

6) The Call to Renounce Worldly Attachments and Embrace the Mysteries of the Light

A significant aspect of the ritual of redemption involves the renunciation of worldly attachments. The initiate is called upon to reject all things of the world in favor of the divine mysteries. The Testimony of Truth states, “But those who say only with the tongue that they are renouncing the world are lying.” The participant must truly embody this renunciation, casting off the old self in order to embrace the new divine nature.

This stage can be quite extensive, referencing the renunciations in Pistis Sophia, chapter 102, and focusing on the abandonment of worldly concerns. This renunciation is crucial for the initiate’s progress in the spiritual journey.

“But the baptism of truth is something else; it is by renunciation of the world that it is found. But those who say only with the tongue that they are renouncing it are lying, and they are coming to the place of fear. Moreover, they are humbled within it. Just as those to whom it was given to have been condemned, they shall get something!” (The Testimony of Truth)

7) Prayers for the Ascent of the Soul

The Tripartite Tractate describes the redemption as an ascent through the Pleroma, reaching the degrees and powers of the Aeons.

“The redemption also is an ascent to the degrees which are in the Pleroma and to those who have named themselves and who conceive of themselves according to the power of each of the Aeons, and (it is) an entrance into what is silent, where there is no need for voice nor for knowing nor for forming a concept nor for illumination, but (where) all things are light, while they do not need to be illumined.” (Tripartite Tractate)

This notion of ascent is also expressed in the Gospel of Truth, where the believer carries “the Name of the Father” as a mark tav" (ת), symbolizing their connection to the divine realm.

“The Name of the Father here refers to a divine mark or identity that the believer adopts, signifying their connection to the divine realm.” (Excerpta ex Theodoto 86.2)

Ode 21 reflects this ascent: “I lifted up my arms on high on account of the compassion of the Lord...And I put off darkness, and put on light.” This passage illustrates the transformative power of the ascent, as the initiate moves from darkness into divine light, overcoming worldly suffering and affliction.

8) Acknowledgment of the Androgynous Nature of Aeons

This part of the ritual may include a symbolic affirmation of harmony between masculine and feminine principles, aligning with Valentinian teachings on the Aeons.

9) Declaration of the Participant's Unity with the Church (Ecclesia)

The participant is recognized as a member of the immanent divine body of Christ and the Ecclesia, symbolizing full redemption.

The right hand of fellowship is extended by the overseer to the initiate as a symbol of welcome. It is customary to do this while the congregation is standing, followed by an appropriate hymn or song.

 

Rethinking Church History: Peter Was Not the Head of the Church**

 Gnostic Understanding: Rethinking Church History: Peter Was Not the Head of the Church

Welcome to *Pleroma Pathways*, where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts in the context of Christianity. One of the enduring traditions within Christian history is the claim that the apostle Peter was the first leader of the Church, serving as the head of the early Christian community. This belief has been central to the Roman Catholic Church's assertion of papal authority. However, a closer examination of early Christian texts and the writings of the apostles challenges this tradition, suggesting that James the Just, not Peter, was the true leader of the early Church.

The *Gospel of Thomas* provides a powerful statement that contradicts the popular belief about Peter’s primacy. Saying 12 in the *Gospel of Thomas* states:

**"The disciples said to Jesus, 'We are aware that you will depart from us. Who will be our leader?' Jesus said to him, 'No matter where you come it is to James the Just that you shall go, for whose sake heaven and earth have come to exist.'"**

This statement places James the Just as the central figure to whom the disciples were to turn after Jesus’ departure, rather than Peter. The words attributed to Jesus in this text suggest that James, not Peter, was the appointed leader of the early Christian community, a fact that is notably absent from the Roman Catholic tradition.

### Who is James the Just?

James, often referred to as "James the Just," was the brother of Jesus. His Greek name is equivalent to "Jacob," meaning "One Seizing the Heel" or "Supplanter." According to Galatians 1:19, James was a "brother of the Lord," meaning he was one of Jesus' biological siblings. This distinction is further affirmed in Mark 6:3, which lists James alongside Joseph, Simon, and Judas as Jesus' brothers. The Gospel of Matthew also refers to James as one of Jesus' brothers (Matthew 13:55).

James initially did not follow Jesus during His ministry. In fact, in John 7:5, we are told that "even His brothers did not believe in Him." However, after the death and resurrection of Jesus, James became a key figure in the early Church. Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 15:7 that Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection, a moment that convinced James that Jesus was indeed the Messiah. This transformative event led James to become a prominent leader in the Jerusalem Church.

### James as the Leader of the Early Church

While Peter is often regarded as the leader of the early Church, a closer look at the Book of Acts and other early Christian writings reveals that James held the primary leadership role. In Acts 15, during the Council of Jerusalem, the question of whether Gentiles should be circumcised arose. This was a crucial issue for the early Church, as it would define the relationship between Jewish and Gentile believers. 

Peter did speak at the council, but his role was not as the final decision-maker. Instead, it was James who made the final ruling on the matter. Acts 15:13-19 states:

**“And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, 'Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for His name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written… Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God.'”**

James clearly holds a position of authority in this meeting, and his ruling is accepted by the assembly. His decision does not simply endorse Peter’s words but provides a definitive conclusion to the matter. This demonstrates that, at least in this instance, James played the role of the chief leader in the Jerusalem Church.

### Early Christian Tradition and the Role of James

The leadership of James in the early Church is further attested to by other early Christian sources. Clement of Rome, writing in the late first century, addresses James as the "bishop of bishops" and refers to his leadership over the Church in Jerusalem:

**“James, the lord, and the bishop of bishops, who rules Jerusalem, the holy church of the Hebrews, and the churches everywhere…”** (Epistle of Clement to James)

This title suggests that James was not merely a local leader but held a position of authority over the broader Christian community. Early church historian Eusebius also affirms that James was made bishop of Jerusalem by the apostles and that he "ruled the church of Jerusalem for thirty years" (Ecclesiastical History, 2.23).

### Peter’s Role in the Early Church

Peter’s role in the early church is significant but distinct from the claim made by the Roman Catholic Church that he was the first pope. In Matthew 16:18-19, Jesus grants Peter the "keys of the kingdom of heaven," but this should not be interpreted as an appointment to supreme leadership. The keys symbolize knowledge (Gospel of Thomas Saying 39, Matthew 16:19, Luke 11:52), and Peter’s role in unlocking the message of salvation for both Jews and Gentiles is evident in his actions in Acts 2 and Acts 10.

However, even in these pivotal moments, Peter does not exercise the authority of a pope. Instead, he is a spokesperson, a servant of the gospel, and an active participant in the broader leadership of the church. When examining the early church councils, including the significant meeting in Acts 15, it becomes clear that James, not Peter, takes the lead. James' position is confirmed by early Christian writers like Eusebius, who records that James was appointed bishop of Jerusalem by the apostles and ruled the church for thirty years

Moreover, in Acts 21:18, Paul goes to visit James, and "all the elders were present," indicating that James was the head of the Jerusalem Church, with other elders under his authority.

Early Christian Tradition and Church Leadership

Early Christian writings support the idea that James, not Peter, was the true leader of the Jerusalem church. Clement of Rome, in his Epistle to James, refers to James as "the bishop of bishops, who rules Jerusalem, the Holy Church of the Hebrews, and the churches everywhere." Similarly, Papias of Hierapolis (second century) refers to James as the "bishop and apostle." Eusebius and Jerome also affirm that James was appointed bishop by the apostles and ruled the church for several decades.

This historical evidence challenges the Roman Catholic claim that Peter was the first pope and highlights the leadership of James the Just in the early church. It is clear that while Peter played a significant role in the spread of Christianity, James the Just was the head of the church in Jerusalem, a position of primacy that was recognized by the apostles and the broader Christian community.

### Conclusion: The Myth of Peter’s Primacy

The notion that Peter was the first pope and the leader of the early Church is not supported by the historical record. The *Gospel of Thomas* and the Acts of the Apostles both present James the Just as the rightful leader of the Christian community following Jesus' ascension. Early Christian writings, including those of Clement of Rome and Eusebius, further confirm James' leadership role.

James, the brother of Jesus, was the first bishop of Jerusalem and held authority over the early Church. His leadership was not based on an exclusive commission from Jesus, as the Roman Catholic Church claims for Peter, but rather on his unique position as Jesus' brother and his role in the early community of believers.

In rethinking church history, it becomes clear that Peter’s role, while significant, did not place him at the head of the Church. Instead, James the Just, the "righteous" brother of Jesus, should be recognized as the first true leader of the early Christian movement.

How to Perform the Gnostic Christian Ritual of Anointing with Oil

 Anointing with oil has long been a symbol of consecration and connection with the divine. While baptism and anointing are outward signs of inward transformation, it is important to understand that the Holy Spirit can be received without these symbols. They serve as visible affirmations of spiritual realities that are already at work within the individual.

### **The Scriptural Basis for Anointing**

The act of anointing is deeply rooted in Scripture, where it symbolizes consecration, blessing, and the presence of God:

- *"And he poured some of the anointing oil on Aaron’s head and anointed him, to consecrate him."* (Leviticus 8:12)

- *"Then take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head."* (Exodus 29:7)

- *"It is like fine oil on the head, running down on the beard, running down Aaron’s beard over the collar of his robes."* (Psalm 133:2)

These passages emphasize the importance of the oil as a sign of divine blessing and consecration.

### **Participation of All Believers**

In the Valentinian community, the ritual of anointing reflected their rejection of hierarchical clergy. According to Tertullian:

*"Today one man is bishop and tomorrow another; the person who is a deacon today, tomorrow is a reader; the one who is a priest is a layman tomorrow. For even on the laity they impose the functions of priesthood."* (*Against the Valentinians* 1)

This egalitarian approach extended to all sacred acts, including anointing, where both men and women could perform the ritual. The act was a communal expression of unity and spiritual empowerment, emphasizing that all believers were equally capable of consecrating the oil and performing the anointing.

The **Gospel of Philip** reinforces this belief:

*"The holy person is completely holy, including the person’s body. The holy person who takes up bread consecrates it, and does the same with the cup or anything else the person takes up and consecrates. So how would the person not consecrate the body also?"*

This passage highlights the Valentinian understanding that holiness is inherent in the believer, enabling them to sanctify oil and perform acts of spiritual significance.

### **The Importance of Anointing in the Gospel of Philip**

The **Gospel of Philip** elevates anointing as central to the Christian identity:

*"The anointing is superior to baptism, for it is from the word 'anointing' that we have been called 'Christians,' certainly not because of the word 'baptism.' And it is because of the anointing that 'the Christ' has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us."* (74:12-21)

Anointing signifies the believer’s participation in the resurrection, the light, and the Holy Spirit. The text explains:

*"It is from the olive tree that we got the anointing, and from the anointing, the resurrection."*

The oil symbolizes the Spirit of Christ, and its application affirms the believer’s transformation and connection with the divine.

### **Steps to Perform the Anointing Ritual**

1. **Prepare the Oil**: Use pure olive oil, which can be obtained from Amazon or other trusted sources, including those from the Holy Land.

2. **Bless the Oil**: Offer a prayer to consecrate the oil. A simple prayer could include:

   *"Come, Holy Spirit, and fill this oil with Your presence. May it be a sign of Your blessing and consecration, bringing light, resurrection, and unity to all who are anointed with it."*

3. **Anoint the Individual**: Pour or apply the oil to the person’s head. Allow it to flow naturally as a symbol of the Spirit’s outpouring.

4. **Recite Prayers**: Include prayers from texts like the **Acts of Thomas**:

   *"Come, Thou holy name of the Christ that is above every name. Come, Thou power of the Most High, and the compassion that is perfect. Come, Holy Spirit, and cleanse their heart, and give them the added seal in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."*

5. **Affirm the Connection**: Remind the individual of their identity as a "Christ," anointed by the Spirit and united with the divine.

### **Anointing as the True Seal of Faith**

The **Acts of Thomas** describes anointing as the seal of God’s Spirit:

*"He commanded them to bring oil, that they might receive the seal by the oil."* (26)

The ritual is a transformative act that confirms the believer’s consecration and entry into the faith. As the **Gospel of Philip** declares:

*"He who has been anointed possesses everything... This is the Kingdom of Heaven."*

### **Conclusion**

The ritual of anointing with oil is a profound expression of faith and spiritual transformation. It symbolizes the outpouring of the Spirit and the believer’s union with Christ, affirming their identity as a member of God’s Kingdom. Rooted in the traditions of the **Gospel of Philip** and the **Acts

The Valentinian Ritual of Anointing in Gospel of Philip

The Valentinian tradition places a profound emphasis on the ritual of anointing, viewing it as essential to becoming a true Christian. According to the **Gospel of Philip**, the anointing surpasses baptism in significance, as it is through the anointing that one receives the Spirit of Christ and is sealed as a follower of the divine.

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#### **Valentinian Church Structure and Participation in Rituals**

Valentinians rejected a hierarchical clergy, fostering a community where all believers actively participated in rituals, including the anointing. Tertullian, in his critique of the Valentinians, observed: 
*"Today one man is bishop and tomorrow another; the person who is a deacon today, tomorrow is a reader; the one who is a priest is a layman tomorrow. For even on the laity they impose the functions of priesthood."* (**Against the Valentinians 1**) 

This rotational structure ensured that each member of the community contributed to the spiritual life of the church. Both men and women could perform the anointing, a radical departure from traditional roles, much to the dismay of critics like Tertullian.

---

#### **The Importance of Anointing in the Gospel of Philip**

The **Gospel of Philip** elevates anointing above baptism: 
*"The anointing is superior to baptism, for it is from the word 'anointing' that we have been called 'Christians,' certainly not because of the word 'baptism.' And it is because of the anointing that 'the Christ' has his name. For the Father anointed the Son, and the Son anointed the apostles, and the apostles anointed us."* (Gospel of Philip 74:12-21) 

Through the anointing, believers receive the resurrection, the light, the cross, and the Holy Spirit. This sacred act establishes the individual's connection with the Kingdom of Heaven and affirms their identity as "Christians" in the truest sense. The text also explains the origins of the anointing: 
*"It is from the olive tree that we got the anointing, and from the anointing, the resurrection."* 

Olive oil, consecrated by an elder, was symbolic of the Spirit of Christ and was integral to this ritual.

---

#### **Sacred Secrets and the Role of Anointing**

In the Valentinian understanding, rituals like anointing were considered "sacred secrets" rather than mere ceremonies. The **Gospel of Philip** states: 
*"The Lord did everything like a sacred secret: baptism, anointing, Eucharist, redemption, and bridal chamber."* (Gospel of Philip 67:27-30) 

These "sacred secrets" conveyed the symbolic meaning of the Savior’s deeds. Anointing was seen as a symbolic expression of the outpouring of the Spirit, uniting the believer with Christ. It represented a transformation into a "Christ" and established direct communication with the Holy Spirit: 
*"Those who receive the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and have accepted them must do this... A person receives them in the anointing with the oil of the power of the cross."* 

---

#### **Symbolism of Fire, Water, and Light**

The **Gospel of Philip** uses rich symbolism to describe the transformative power of anointing: 
*"It is through water and fire that the whole place is purified... There is fire within the oil of anointing."* (Gospel of Philip 65:22-24) 

Anointing was closely associated with light, fire, and the Spirit. The text explains that the light is the anointing, and through this light, the believer is reborn and united with Christ: 
*"Through the Holy Spirit we are indeed begotten again... We are anointed through the Spirit."* 

---

#### **Acts of Thomas and the Anointing Ritual**

The **Acts of Thomas** also highlights the significance of anointing as an essential component of becoming a Christian. The ritual began with the use of oil, symbolizing the seal of God’s Spirit: 
*"He commanded them to bring oil, that they might receive the seal by the oil."* (Acts of Thomas 26) 

This sealing confirmed the believer’s consecration and entry into the faith. The apostle, upon anointing, invoked the Holy Spirit, praying: 
*"Come, thou holy name of the Christ that is above every name... Come, holy spirit, and cleanse their kidneys and their heart, and give them the added seal, in the name of the Father and Son and Holy Spirit."* (Acts of Thomas 27) 

The ritual affirmed the convert's transformation and union with God, making them a "Christ" through the Spirit's anointing.

---

#### **Conclusion: Anointing as the True Seal of Christianity**

The **Gospel of Philip** and the **Acts of Thomas** both emphasize that it is through anointing—not baptism alone—that one becomes a true Christian. The anointing, symbolized by olive oil, signifies the outpouring of the Spirit and transforms the believer into a "Christ," enabling direct communion with the divine. This sacred act establishes the believer’s identity and seals their place in the Kingdom of Heaven. As the **Gospel of Philip** declares:

The One Who Is: The Divine Name Yahweh in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures

**Title:** The One Who Is: The Divine Name Yahweh in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures  

In several Gnostic texts of the Nag Hammadi collection, God is designated or addressed as *The One Who Is*. This profound title underscores God's nature as the ultimate source of all being and existence. For instance, in *The Sophia of Jesus Christ*, God is described as The One Who Is ineffable, beyond all comprehension and human language. Similarly, in *Allogenes*, God is addressed directly as "You are The One Who Is." In the *First Apocalypse of James*, Christ tells James to "cast away the bond of flesh," declaring that James will no longer be merely himself but will become united with *The One Who Is*.  

This phrase raises important theological and historical questions: Was this title for God inspired by Exodus 3:14, where God speaks to Moses from the burning bush? In the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible), God reveals Himself with the phrase, *Egō eimi ho ōn*, typically rendered as "I am The One Who Is." Alternatively, some scholars argue that this concept reflects theological developments present in Jewish Alexandrian thought, particularly as articulated by Philo of Alexandria.  

Philo, a Jewish philosopher living in Alexandria during the first century CE, made significant contributions to reconciling biblical teachings with Greek philosophy. He frequently discussed God using both biblical and philosophical terminology, emphasizing that God is the only true being. In his work *Quod deterius potiori insidiari solet*, Philo wrote that God alone truly exists, while everything else merely seems to exist and is transient by nature.  

Philo’s theology often drew upon the Septuagint’s portrayal of God as *ho ōn* (The One Who Is) and connected it to concepts of divine immutability and self-sufficiency. His writings reveal a profound attempt to harmonize the Mosaic understanding of God with broader philosophical notions, particularly the distinction between the eternal and the transitory. For Philo, God is the ultimate, unchanging source of existence, distinct from the fleeting phenomena of the physical world.  

It is possible that Gnostic authors, influenced by Jewish Alexandrian thought and familiar with the Septuagint, adopted this title to express their understanding of the divine. In Gnostic cosmology, *The One Who Is* symbolizes the transcendent, incorruptible, and ineffable God above all material existence. This God stands in contrast to the lower powers or entities that govern the flawed material world.  

The focus on *The One Who Is* also underscores a key aspect of Gnostic soteriology: the return to divine unity. Gnostics believed that through spiritual enlightenment and liberation from the material realm, individuals could transcend their earthly limitations and become united with the divine. This return to God was seen as a restoration of the original, pure state of being.  

Unlike later Christian theological traditions that emphasized a personal relationship with God rooted in moral and ethical behavior, Gnostic texts often present salvation as an awakening to hidden knowledge (*gnosis*) that reveals one's divine origin and destiny. The understanding of God as *The One Who Is* encapsulates this transcendent truth.  

The designation *The One Who Is* in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures likely has its roots in both the Septuagint's translation of Exodus 3:14 and the philosophical interpretations of thinkers like Philo of Alexandria. This title reflects a vision of God as the eternal and transcendent source of all existence, a concept central to Gnostic spirituality. It is a profound reminder of the ultimate goal of gnosis: the return to unity with *The One Who Is*, beyond the illusions of the material world.  

References to the divine name Yahweh as "The One Who Is" in the Nag Hammadi Scriptures. In Gnostic texts, particularly those from the Nag Hammadi Library, "The One Who Is" represents the divine essence often associated with transcendent aspects of God, wisdom (Sophia), and revelation. Notably, both Valentinian and Sethian traditions used variations of this title, such as "The One Who Is," "He Who Is," or "You Who Are," to emphasize God's eternal and dynamic nature.  

### **Sophia of Jesus Christ (NHC III.4) and Parallel Passages**  

In *Sophia of Jesus Christ* (NHC III.4, p. 94.5), "The One Who Is" appears as a title for the highest divine reality, reflecting the unknowable and eternal God:  

> "The Savior said, 'The One Who Is is ineffable. From the foundation of the world until now, no power, no authority, no creature, no nature has known the One Who Is. Only the One Who Is, and anyone to whom this One wishes to give revelation through the emissary from the first light, knows the One Who Is.'"  

This passage parallels *Eugnostos* (NHC III.3, p. 71.13f.; NHC V.1, p. 2.8f.), where the same expression underscores the divine source of wisdom and truth:  

> "The One Who Is is ineffable. From the foundation of the world, no power, no authority, no creature, no nature has known the One Who Is. Only the One Who Is knows itself."  

### **The Tripartite Tractate and Gospel of Truth**  

In *The Tripartite Tractate* (NHC I.5, p. 62), the divine nature of "The One Who Is" reveals God's benevolence in granting beings the capacity for understanding:  

> "In the same way, he would gracefully allow them to understand who the One Who Is is—that is, the one who knows himself eternally."  

Similarly, the *Gospel of Truth* describes divine revelation:  

> "The One Who Is has an appearance of its own, not like anything you have seen and received, but an alien appearance that surpasses everything and is superior to the universe."  

### **The Secret Book of John**  

In *The Secret Book of John*, the ineffability of "The One Who Is" is described in cosmic terms:  

> "The One is majestic and has an immeasurable purity. The One is a realm that gives a realm, life that gives life, a blessed one that gives blessedness, knowledge that gives knowledge, a good one that gives goodness, mercy that gives mercy and redemption, grace that gives grace."  

### **The First Revelation of James**  

In *The First Revelation of James* (NHC V.3, p. 24), Jesus speaks of "The One Who Is" and reveals divine mysteries to his brother James:  

> "Once nothing existed except the One Who Is. That one is unnamable and ineffable. I also am unnamable, from the One Who Is, although I have been given many names. We both come from the One Who Is, but I am before you."  

### **Valentinian and Sethian Usage**  

Both Valentinian and Sethian traditions demonstrate a profound reverence for the divine as "The One Who Is," "He Who Is," or "You Who Are." While Valentinians emphasized the harmony and emanative structure of divine Aeons, Sethians often highlighted the cosmic struggle between light and ignorance. Despite these differences, both groups affirmed the eternal, dynamic force of God as essential to creation, enlightenment, and restoration.  

### **Conclusion**  

Throughout the Nag Hammadi Scriptures, "The One Who Is" serves as a profound expression of the divine essence. It underscores the dynamic, sustaining force of God, the source of wisdom and life, and a figure of revelation for the enlightened believer. These references reinforce the central theme of God's active role in guiding creation and empowering believers toward ultimate restoration at the Resurrection of the Dead.

Redemption by spiritual knowledge and the gospel of Philip

### Redemption by Spiritual Knowledge in the Gospel of Philip  

Redemption in the Gospel of Philip is intricately tied to spiritual knowledge, or *gnosis*, which reveals one’s true nature and divine origin. As Philippians 2:12 states, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” This emphasis on self-awareness and effort aligns with the central premise of *gnosis*—that redemption is achieved through self-knowledge and an understanding of divine truths.  

### Initiation through Spiritual Knowledge  

The Gospel of Philip highlights that redemption is not merely a passive reception of grace but an active process of transformation through knowledge:  

> “All those who have everything should know themselves, should they not? If some do not know themselves, they will not enjoy what they have, but those who know themselves will enjoy their possessions.”  

To know oneself is to recognize the divine within and transcend ignorance, which is the root of spiritual decay:  

> “Ignorance is the mother of [all evil]. Ignorance leads to [death, because] those who come from [ignorance] neither were nor [are] nor will be. [But those in the truth] will be perfect when all truth is revealed.”  

This revelation of truth allows one to rise above sin and slavery:  

> “Whoever knows the truth is free, and a free person does not sin, for ‘one who sins is a slave of sin.’ Truth is the mother, knowledge is the father.”  

### Redemption as Spiritual Enlightenment  

Redemption in the Gospel of Philip is described as a process of spiritual awakening and restoration to one’s original state. This journey begins with baptism, progresses through redemption, and culminates in the Bridal Chamber:  

> “The holy place is baptism; the holy of the holy is redemption; the holy of holies is the bridal chamber. Baptism entails resurrection and redemption, and redemption is in the bridal chamber.”  

The Bridal Chamber symbolizes union with the divine, transcending earthly limitations:  

> “Our bridal chamber is the image [of the bridal chamber] above. That is why its curtain was torn from top to bottom, for some people from below had to go up.”  

Redemption is not just a return to an original state but an ascent to a higher, spiritual existence through *gnosis*:  

> “Farming in this world depends on four things, and a harvest is gathered and taken into the barn as a result of water, earth, air, and light. God’s farming also depends on four things: faith, hope, love, and knowledge. Faith is the earth in which we take root. Hope is the water with which we are nourished. Love is the air through which we grow. Knowledge is the light by which we ripen.”  

### Christ as the Redeemer and Revealer  

Christ plays a central role in redemption, not as a distant savior but as the revealer of spiritual truths that enable individuals to redeem themselves:  

> “Jesus revealed himself [at the] Jordan River as the fullness of heaven’s kingdom. The one [conceived] before all was conceived again; the one anointed before was anointed again; the one redeemed redeemed others.”  

Through his life, death, and resurrection, Christ “purchased strangers and made them his own”:  

> “Christ came to purchase some, to save some, to redeem some. He purchased strangers and made them his own, and he brought back his own whom he had laid down of his own will as a deposit.”  

By revealing the truth, Christ sets humanity free and enables them to rise above ignorance and sin:  

> “The word says, ‘If you know the truth, the truth will make you free.’ Ignorance is a slave, knowledge is freedom. If we know the truth, we shall find the fruit of truth within us.”  

### Freedom through Knowledge and Love  

The Gospel of Philip asserts that true freedom is achieved through knowledge of the truth:  

> "Whoever knows the truth is free, and a free person does not sin, for 'one who sins is a slave of sin.' Truth is the mother, knowledge is the father."  

In this view, knowledge (*gnosis*) liberates individuals from ignorance, which binds them to sin. Redemption, then, is not merely about being forgiven but about being elevated to a state where sin no longer holds power. To know the truth is to be aligned with divine wisdom and to rise above the enslavement of worldly passions.  

### Knowledge and the Responsibility of Love  

However, the Gospel does not advocate for isolated enlightenment. Those who are made free through knowledge remain "slaves because of love for those who do not yet have freedom of knowledge." This paradox highlights a vital aspect of spiritual redemption: with great knowledge comes responsibility. The redeemed are called to serve others out of love, guiding them toward spiritual awakening.  

### Love as the Ultimate Expression of Redemption  

The passage emphasizes that while knowledge grants freedom, love builds up and perfects the individual:  

> "Love [never says] it owns something, [though] it owns [everything]. Love does not [say, 'This is mine'] or 'That is mine,' but rather, '[All that is mine] is yours.'"  

In the redemptive process, love becomes the highest manifestation of spiritual knowledge. Those redeemed by *gnosis* do not hoard spiritual truths but share them generously. True redemption involves not just personal liberation but fostering a community where divine truths are shared in love, leading others toward enlightenment and freedom.  

### Redemption as the Knowledge of Truth  

Irenaeus, in *Against All Heresies*, echoes the Gospel of Philip’s emphasis on redemption through knowledge:  

> “Knowledge is the redemption of the inner man. For since both defect and passion flowed from ignorance, the whole substance of what was thus formed is destroyed by knowledge.”  

In the Gospel of Philip, the ultimate redemption is spiritual enlightenment. To know the truth is to be liberated from ignorance and united with the divine. As love and knowledge grow together, the individual is transformed, entering into the Bridal Chamber, the symbol of ultimate redemption and union with God.  

Redemption, therefore, is a process that involves both the revelation of divine truths and the individual’s active engagement with this knowledge. By working out one’s salvation “with fear and trembling,” the soul ascends to its divine origin, fulfilling the promise of redemption through spiritual knowledge.

Two baptisms one for the forgiveness of sins the second baptism is for Redemption

Two baptisms one for the forgiveness of sins the second baptism is for Redemption

**Welcome to Pleroma Pathways apocalyptic and mystic Christianity, where we explore esoteric and apocalyptic texts.**  

In early Christian and Gnostic thought, baptism played a crucial role in the spiritual journey. It was not merely a single event but a process involving distinct stages, each with profound theological significance. The first baptism is into the name of Jesus, symbolizing repentance and the forgiveness of sins. The second baptism is into the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, which represents an initiation into the divine redemption and the fullness of God's purpose. However, it is essential to clarify that Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are not three separate names but titles that point to a singular divine identity—the name of Yahweh.  

### **The First Baptism: Forgiveness of Sins in the Name of Jesus**  

The New Testament consistently emphasizes the necessity of baptism in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of sins. In Acts 2:38, Peter declares, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." This baptism signifies the individual's acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah and their desire to turn away from sin. It marks the beginning of a transformed life, aligning the believer with the teachings and mission of Jesus.  

This baptism represents a purification—a symbolic washing away of sins. It brings the believer into communion with the forgiveness offered through Jesus' death and resurrection. Just as Jesus was immersed in the waters of the Jordan River to inaugurate His public ministry, believers follow this pattern, entering the "Jordan" of repentance and emerging cleansed, ready to walk in righteousness.  

In Valentinian thought, the first baptism aligns with the earthly phase of the believer’s journey. It is a necessary step to move from the world of corruption and sin into a state of imperishability, preparing for the deeper spiritual transformation to come.  

The Second Baptism: Redemption in the Name of Yahweh 

The second baptism is described in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus commands His disciples to "baptize them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." Many have interpreted this as a reference to three distinct persons within a Trinitarian framework. However, a closer examination reveals that the text speaks of one name—not three names. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are titles, not names.  

The singular name into which believers are baptized is **Yahweh**, the divine name revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yahweh, often translated as "I will be who I will be," signifies the manifestation and emanation of God’s corporeal divine nature and His character in the anointed believers. The titles *Father*, *Son*, and *Holy Spirit* reflect different aspects of Yahweh's interaction with creation:  

- **Father** represents Yahweh as the source and creator of all things.  

- **Son** refers to Yahweh's manifestation through Jesus, the Messiah and Redeemer.  

- **Holy Spirit** symbolizes Yahweh's ongoing presence and guidance among believers.  

This second baptism, often called "Redemption" in Valentinian and other mystical Christian texts, is not merely about forgiveness but about the full restoration of the believer to divine wholeness. As Theodotus explains, this baptism is a process of redemption that unites believers with their angelic counterparts: "when we...have the **NAME**, we may not be hindered and kept back by the Limit and the Cross from entering the Pleroma." The second baptism, then, aligns the individual with Yahweh’s divine purpose and secures their passage into the fullness of the Pleroma.

The descent of the dove upon Jesus during His baptism is seen as a key moment of redemption. Theodotus states, "the redemption of the **NAME**...descended upon Jesus in the dove and redeemed him." Through this act, Jesus demonstrated the necessity of redemption even for Himself as a model for believers, showing the way through Wisdom without being detained by the "Notion of the Deficiency."  

This second baptism, often called "Redemption" in Valentinian and other mystical Christian texts, is not merely about forgiveness but about the full restoration of the believer to divine wholeness. Valentinian Theodotus emphasizes this, stating:  

> “At the laying on of hands they say at the end, ‘for the angelic redemption,’ that is, for the one which the angels also have, in order that the person who has received the redemption may be baptized in the same NAME in which his angel had been baptized before him.”  

Thus, the second baptism signifies the individual's entry into the Pleroma —the eternal realm of divine presence and truth. Through this baptism, the believer is not just cleansed but fully transformed, participating in the divine nature and united with Yahweh's redemptive purpose.

### **The Spiritual Journey of Baptism**  

This baptism is more than a ritual cleansing—it is a transformation into divine unity. Theodotus explains that Jesus, "having emptied himself...led out the angels of the superior seed with him." By receiving the second baptism, believers are joined with these angelic beings, who "beg remission for us, that we may enter with them." The ultimate goal is unity in the Pleroma, where "the many" become "one" in divine harmony.  

The Gospel of Philip reflects this unity, stating: “You who have united perfect light with holy spirit unite the angels also with us, as images.” This prayer demonstrates the integration of divine unity in the process of redemption, where the believer is united not only with Yahweh but also with the angelic order as a reflection of divine harmony 

The transformation brought by the second baptism is profound, as Theodotus explains:  

> “Now since we existed in separation, Jesus was baptized that the undivided should be divided until he should unite us with them in the Pleroma, that we ‘the many’ having become ‘one,’ might all be mingled in the One which was divided for our sakes.”  

This act of redemption is not limited to humanity but includes the angels as well, highlighting the interconnectedness of all creation. The NAME of Yahweh serves as the unifying factor, bridging the division between the earthly and the divine.  

Theodotus further elaborates on the transformative power of baptism:  

> “For he who was baptized unto God advanced toward God and has received ‘power to walk upon scorpions and snakes,’ the evil powers.”  

Through baptism in the **NAME** of Yahweh, Jesus "rescued us from fire" and empowered believers to "walk upon scorpions and snakes, the evil powers," as Theodotus notes. This act of redemption breaks the hold of the "old life" dominated by "evil principalities" and opens the path to new life "according to Christ."  

The second baptism thus represents an elevation beyond worldly limitations and demonic influences. As Theodotus emphasizes, "From the moment when he comes up from baptism he is called a servant of God even by the unclean spirits, and they now 'tremble' at him whom shortly before they obsessed." This baptism not only transforms the believer but also establishes their authority over opposing powers.  

### **Entering the Pleroma Through Redemption**  

The second baptism symbolizes entry into the eternal realm of divine presence and truth. Theodotus describes this progression as becoming "equal to angels" and receiving "angelic redemption." The person who undergoes this baptism is "baptized in the same **NAME** in which his angel had been baptized before him."  

This mystical process culminates in the restoration of unity with Yahweh. Through baptism in the **NAME** of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—revealed as the singular divine name Yahweh—the believer is fully transformed and prepared to enter the Pleroma. This is the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan, a path from separation to divine union, from limitation to eternal glory.  

Understanding this second baptism deepens the believer’s appreciation of the divine mysteries and highlights the transformative power of Yahweh's name in the process of redemption. Through it, believers are not only redeemed but united with Yahweh's eternal purpose, fulfilling their divine calling.

Gnostic Teaching On The Serpent

Gnostic Teaching On The Serpent

Serpent: There exist two distinct Gnostic interpretations concerning the serpent in the Genesis narrative. The Ophites and the Naasenes, both sects within Gnosticism, held the serpent in reverence. Conversely, when we examine the Nag Hammadi Scriptures, we encounter a Gnostic interpretation that aligns more closely with the traditional biblical understanding.

Note 

The names Ophites and Naassenes, both derived from words for serpent or snake, are used to refer to Gnostic sects. 

The Naassenes sect whose name derives from nahash, Hebrew for "serpent."
The Ophites are Gnostics given a similar name, from ophis, Greek for "serpent." 

The *Apocryphon of John* presents a striking reinterpretation of the Genesis narrative, particularly in its depiction of the serpent. Unlike some Gnostic texts that view the serpent as a liberating figure, this text aligns the serpent with Yaldabaoth, the ignorant and oppressive creator. The serpent does not merely offer knowledge but plays a role in subjecting humanity to sexual desire and reproduction, which are portrayed as consequences of Yaldabaoth’s dominion. This perspective redefines the serpent’s role and challenges traditional interpretations of the Edenic fall.  

The passage in the *Apocryphon of John* states:  

 "However, I caused them to eat.  

I asked the Savior, ‘Lord, isn’t it the serpent who caused Adam to eat?’ He smiled and replied, ‘The serpent caused them to eat in order to produce the wickedness of the desire to reproduce that would make Adam helpful to him.’"  

This passage suggests a dual perspective on the act of eating. On the one hand, Jesus, as the revealer of hidden truths, claims responsibility for causing Adam and Eve to eat, which may be understood as an allusion to the faculty of *Epinoia*, the divine insight that enables humanity to awaken from its sleep of ignorance and come to the knowledge of the Unknown Father. On the other hand, the serpent’s role is explicitly linked to the introduction of sexual reproduction, a theme central to Gnostic cosmology.  

Jesus and Epinoia – Jesus, who occasionally appears as the narrator, is said to have caused Adam to eat. This refers to his role in awakening Adam’s Epinoia (thought or insight), which was embedded within him by the divine realm. In this sense, Jesus' involvement differs from the serpent’s role in Genesis. The serpent in the *Apocryphon of John* is not the bringer of true knowledge but a catalyst for human entrapment in the physical world.

### The Serpent’s Role in the Fall  

Unlike the traditional interpretation in Genesis, where the serpent is a deceiver who tempts Eve into disobedience, the *Apocryphon of John* portrays the serpent as a means through which Yaldabaoth enforces reproduction upon humanity. The text clarifies:  

 "The serpent here takes on a new role: it brings about the consequences of eating from the tree, as set out in Genesis 3:16. According to Moses, childbearing and sexual desire are in accordance with God’s orders, but here these things are forced upon people (represented by Adam) by Yaldabaoth (represented by the serpent)."  

This interpretation presents sexual reproduction as an imposed condition rather than a natural aspect of creation. In Genesis, childbirth and sexual desire are framed as part of God’s punishment after the Fall:  

 "To the woman he said, ‘I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.’" (Genesis 3:16, NIV)  

However, in the *Apocryphon of John*, these consequences are not seen as divine punishment but as part of Yaldabaoth’s scheme to perpetuate the material world. The serpent, rather than acting independently, is a mechanism through which Yaldabaoth ensures the continuation of the human race under his dominion.  

### The Gnostic Rejection of the Serpent as a Liberator  

Some Gnostic traditions, particularly Sethian texts, present the serpent as a positive figure, a revealer of knowledge who helps humanity awaken to its divine origins. However, the *Apocryphon of John* does not adopt this perspective. Instead, the serpent is depicted negatively, reinforcing the control of Yaldabaoth over humanity.  

"The *Apocryphon of John* presents the serpent in a complex role. While it facilitates the act of eating from the tree—an act associated with knowledge—it ultimately serves Yaldabaoth’s purpose by bringing about the consequences described in Genesis 3:16. Unlike in Moses' account, where childbearing and sexual desire are part of God's design, here they are imposed on humanity by Yaldabaoth, with the serpent playing a role in that process. Though the serpent’s actions lead to knowledge, they also ensure humanity’s continued entrapment in the material world.)"  

The Serpent as an Agent of Yaldabaoth – Unlike Genesis, where the serpent’s actions are ambiguous and open to interpretation, here the serpent serves Yaldabaoth’s agenda. The eating from the tree leads not to enlightenment but to the introduction of “the wickedness of the desire to reproduce.” This suggests that Yaldabaoth, through the serpent, forces humanity into the cycle of physical birth and death. This interpretation contrasts with the mainstream biblical view in which childbirth and sexual desire are seen as divinely ordained rather than as mechanisms of enslavement.  

This clarification distances the *Apocryphon of John* from other Gnostic interpretations

Valentinians

The Valentinans understanding of the Serpent comes from the book of Genesis  

The first human being is a mixed formation, and a mixed creation, and a deposit of those of the left and those of the right, and a spiritual word whose attention is divided between each of the two substances from which he takes his being. Therefore, it is said that a paradise was planted for him, so that he might eat of the food of three kinds of tree, since it is a garden of the threefold order, and since it is that which gives enjoyment.

The noble elect substance which is in him was more exalted. It created and it did not wound them. Therefore they issued a command, making a threat and bringing upon him a great danger, which is death. Only the enjoyment of the things which are evil did he allow him to taste, and from the other tree with the double (fruit) he did not allow him to eat, much less from the tree of life, so that they would not acquire honor [...] them, and so that they would not be [...] by the evil power which is called "the serpent." And he is more cunning than all the evil powers. He led man astray through the determination of those things which belong to the thought and the desires. <He> made him transgress the command, so that he would die. And he was expelled from every enjoyment of that place. (the Tripartite Tractate)

In the text from the Tripartite Tractate we have two different groups the first human, the other group the evil powers, the serpent is one of the evil powers "by the evil power which is called "the serpent." And he is more cunning than all the evil powers."

Here in the Tripartite Tractate the Serpent is given the standard biblical interpretation it actually led Adam and Eve to sin, introducing death’s control over humankind

In the Tripartite Tractate the serpent is the agent of the carnal powers, material passions, which through their seduction of man force him to suffer the conditions of their own, corporeal existence

The hyllc ruler represents the power which keeps the chaotic activities of the hylic powers in check: cf. 97:36-98:5, 99:9-11.15-16.

Note that this figure, the chief of the hylic powers, is not regarded as essentially a chaotic and evil power; on the contrary his function is positive, since he is a tool employed by the superior powers to give shape to the realm of matter

The Serpent is Symbolic 

The Serpent symbolic of the impulses of the flesh

serpent--Sense consciousness or the desire of carnal mind for pleasure. He seeks satisfaction through the appetite. By listening to the serpent of sense, man falls to his lowest estate.

The serpent in the garden should be understood symbolically this can be seen from the works of Philo of Alexandria:

And these statements appear to me to be dictated by a philosophy which is symbolical rather than strictly accurate. For no trees of life or of knowledge have ever at any previous time appeared upon the earth, nor is it likely that any will appear hereafter. (Philo of Alexandria On the Creation of the world)

that the aforesaid serpent is the symbol of pleasure, because in the first place he is destitute of feet, and crawls on his belly with his face downwards. In the second place, because he uses lumps of clay for food. Thirdly, because he bears poison in his teeth, by which it is his nature to kill those who are bitten by him. (Philo of Alexandria On the Creation of the world)

The testimony of Truth

It is written in the Law concerning this, when God gave a command to Adam, "From every tree you may eat, but from the tree which is in the midst of Paradise do not eat, for on the day that you eat from it, you will surely die." But the serpent was wiser than all the animals that were in Paradise, and he persuaded Eve, saying, "On the day when you eat from the tree which is in the midst of Paradise, the eyes of your mind will be opened." And Eve obeyed, and she stretched forth her hand; she took from the tree and ate; she also gave to her husband with her. And immediately they knew that they were naked, and they took some fig-leaves (and) put them on as girdles. But God came at the time of evening, walking in the midst of Paradise. When Adam saw him, he hid himself. And he said, "Adam, where are you?" He answered (and) said, "I have come under the fig tree." And at that very moment, God knew that he had eaten from the tree of which he had commanded him, "Do not eat of it." And he said to him, "Who is it who has instructed you?" And Adam answered, "The woman whom you have given me." And the woman said, "It is the serpent who instructed me." And he (God) cursed the serpent, and called him "devil." And he said, "Behold, Adam has become like one of us, knowing evil and good." Then he said, "Let us cast him out of paradise, lest he take from the tree of life, and eat, and live forever." (The Testimony of Truth)

And in one place, Moses writes, "He made the devil a serpent <for> those whom he has in his generation." Also, in the book which is called "Exodus," it is written thus: "He contended against the magicians, when the place was full of serpents according to their wickedness; and the rod which was in the hand of Moses became a serpent, (and) it swallowed the serpents of the magicians." Again it is written (Nm 21:9), "He made a serpent of bronze (and) hung it upon a pole ...... (1 line unrecoverable)... which [...] for the one who will gaze upon this bronze serpent, none will destroy him, and the one who will believe in this bronze serpent will be saved." For this is Christ; those who believed in him have received life. Those who did not believe will die. (The Testimony of Truth)

The "serpent" of the garden of Eden is sense consciousness. It may also be called desire, and pleasure (sin), or the activity of life in an external expression, apart from the Source of life. When the life is lifted to the realization that it is Spirit, it becomes healing, as illustrated by Moses' lifting up the serpent in the wilderness. Those who had been bitten by the fiery serpents (lustful expressions of life) were healed when they looked upon the serpent that was lifted up by Moses at the command of God. They looked up, or perceived the truth about divine life, and their minds and bodies were cleansed

VERSE8 And Yahweh said unto Moses, Make thee a fiery serpent" — In appearance, this brazen serpent looked like those on the ground, but it lacked their poisonous venom. In Hebrew, the word "serpent" does not appear in this verse, only the word saraph. Saraph sigifies to consume by burning. The verb is frequently used for complete and utter burning (Exod. 12:10; 29:14; Lev. 4:19,21; 8:32 etc.), particularly in sacrifice when the flesh was consumed by fire. Hence the serpent on the pole represented flesh purified, having gone through the fire, whereas the serpents on the ground represented the flesh in active sin. Yahweh provided a saraph of copper to heal the deadly infection caused by the venom of the fiery serpents. The Scriptures say of the Lord: "With his stripes we are healed . . . Yahweh laid on him the iniquity of us all" vIsa. 53:5-6; 2 Cor. 5:21; Rom. 8:3). Flesh purified will conquer the undiscipled world eventually (Isa. 6:6-7), hence the reference to the Seraphim in Scripture (Isa. 6:2; Rev. 4:8). The brazen serpent typed the sacrifice of the Lord, as he declared:"As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up; that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:14-15. See also John 12:32,33). Christ came in "the likeness of sinful flesh" (Rom. 8:3), but he conquered its power. The brazen serpent on the pole, therefore, represented flesh crucified. It testified to the Israelites that they had to figuratively crucify the flesh if they would be saved from the death that was even then working through their members (Gal. 5:24).

"And set it upon a pole" — The word is nes. The same word is sometimes used to describe an ensign designed to call the people together (Isa. 11:12). The serpent on the pole, therefore, represented a public exhibition of sin's flesh silenced, conquered and crucified. Paul explained to the Galatian brethren that "Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you" (Gal. 3:1). His words signify that the crucified Lord Jesus had been publicly exhibited or placarded before humanity for the purpose of saving them from their sins. A similar exhibition was provided at this time of crisis in the wilderness.

"And it shall come to pass, that everyone that is bitten" — Those who felt the serpent's bite were invited to view the brazen serpent. This is the first essential to salvation to this day. A person must recognise his need of Christ, must realise that he is death-doomed and sinful, and so understand the urgency of his case, in order to acceptably approach God for salvation. In the wilderness, those who felt the effect of the venom working through their bodies realised the urgency of their need and hastened to seek the salvation offered by Yahweh. The same urgency must be instilled into those who are drawn by the Gospel today.

"When he looked upon it shall live" — Those bitten by the serpents were taught by God's Word to look upon the brazen serpent. They did not dispute what they should do, because they realised that time was critical, and their opportunity to escape death was limited. Immediate obedience to the instructions was imperative if they were to live. The same urgency remains today. On the day of Pentecost, Peter spake many words making that point: "With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). In effect, he was repeating Moses' appeal.

However, it must be recognised that there was no magic in the serpent. The efficacy did not come from it, for it was lifeless and unable to help. The efficacy came from within the onlooker who had to exercise faith in the power of Yahweh to save. In the serpent on the pole they saw represented what was required of them: putting to death the desires and deeds of the flesh; a typical crucifixion of it as the way to life. It was the flesh that was responsible for the faithless murmuring that had brought the Israelites to the point of derth: and it had to be repudiated. Those "bitten" by the serpent had been made conscious of personal sin, and therfore humbled to seek the help of Yahweh through Moses. They realised that they did not conform to the harmlessness of the serpent on the pole, but manifested venom in their tongues like those on the ground. They had "sharpened their tongues like a serpent: adders' poison was under their lips" and they murmured against Moses and against God (Psa. 140:3). They had to learn to crucify the flesh, to overcome it whilst seeking the forgiveness of Yahweh.

VERSE 9 "And Moses made a serpent of brass and put it upon a pole" — The metal would have had to go through the fire in order to be shaped, and in doing so would have been purified (Num. 31:23; 16:38). This pointed forward to the Lord Jesus of whom it is written: "he learned obedience by the things which he suffered" (Heb. 5:8). The "things he suffered" were elements in his purification. In regard to the serpent in the wilderness, it is questioned as to whether the metal was bronze or copper. Both were known to the ancients. Bronze is an alloy of copper and tin. Bronze utensils have been found at Lachish and at Troy, showing that it was in use in ancient times. It is suggested that such bronze was made directly from a copper ore containing tin long before the two metals were artificially mixed. See The Cambridge Bible. The Hebrew word nechosheth signifies "copper" in Job 28:2, where it is described as a metal smelted directly from the ore.

"And it came to pass, that if a serpent had bitten any man, when he beheld the serpent of brass he lived." — Rotherham renders this: "As soon as he directed his look unto the serpent of brass . . ." A deliberate seeking of the serpent was required, not an accidental glance at it as the A.V. rendition might suggest. The Hebrew word "beheld" is nabat and signifies to scan, to look intently at. One can imagine the long, steady look that would be given by those bitten by the serpents, and who felt "the answer of death in themselves". "Look unto Me, and be ye saved", is the appeal of Yahweh (Isa. 45:22); "Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of faith" (Heb. 12:2). The eyes of those who would be saved must be earnestly centred upon the Lord, must consider him as revealed in the Word, pondering his character and ways (see John 6:40), "Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world", proclaimed John (John 1:29). Israel after the flesh will be compelled to do this at his second coming (Zech. 12:10). This drama in the wilderness taught the new generation of Israelites the need of disciplining self, and of seeking in faith the redemption that they could obtain in Yahweh. They were clearly shown that the healing power was not in the brazen serpent itself, but in Yahweh Who had ordered the whole process. When the afflicted Israelites looked at the serpent, they did so in obedience to God and in faith that it would heal. So with redemption in Christ. Christ is powerless to heal stricken humanity in the absence of a personal faith (Heb. 11:6). The whole process of redemption in Him is Divine, and must be according to God's requirements. It is God motivated, and witnesses to the love of God: "God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). That statement is made on the background of reference to the serpent in the wilderness. Love, faith and action are all fused to bring about redemption. The brazen serpent was preserved until the time of Hezekiah, who destroyed it because it had become an object of worship, which was idolatry (2 Kings 18:4). This taught that it was not in the type, but in the reality, that the work of redemption is effected. See Paul's comment in 1 Cor. 10:9