Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic View of Deuteronomy

Gnosticism is an ancient collective of religious philosophies, beliefs, and systems that focus on the notion that humans possess hidden knowledge gleaned from spiritual or religious insight. Primitive Pentecostalism is a form of early Christianity that was focused on the idea that being “born again” is key to understanding divine truth. When both of these ideologies are combined, a unique view of Deuteronomy is revealed.

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Bible, located in the Old Testament, and is also known as “The Book of the Covenant.” In it, Moses recites God's commandments to the Israelites before they enter into the Promised Land. Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics view Deuteronomy in a uniquely spiritual way. For example, they interpret Deuteronomy 6:5 as emphasizing the importance of Jesus as the Messiah who provides the only way to secure metaphysical understanding of divine truth. This verse states, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” In this context, Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics see this as Jesus being the only way to attain a true relationship with God, which is necessary to gain salvation.

Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic tendencies can also be found in Deuteronomy 8:18, which states, “You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth.” This is seen by Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics as a reminder of the importance of Jesus’ role in providing spiritual wealth, such as knowledge, understanding, and revelation. Thus, Deuteronomy is seen as an essential part of being a Christian and opting for the journey of faith, as it directs the focus to Jesus who is needed to attain knowledge of divine truth.

Finally, the Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of Deuteronomy frames the importance of Jesus as the ultimate source of salvation. This is particularly evident in Deuteronomy 18:15-19 in which Moses foretells the coming of a “prophet like him” who would provide direct belief and renewal to the people. It is this view of Deuteronomy that sets it apart as a part of the early Christian faith and one that is echoed in modern Pentecostalism.

The book of Deuteronomy has become a corner stone of the Pentecostal Gnosticism, which is a loose form of Christianity whose followers believe in spiritual knowledge. This belief in spiritual wisdom is found in the story of Pentecost where the people of Israel received the gift of the Holy Spirit which was said to be accompanied by the power of speaking in tongues. This scripture is seen as a key text in Pentecostal Gnosticism, in regard to its understandings on the topics of spiritual descent, personal revelations, and individual communion with the divine.

In regards to spiritual descent and personal revelations, the book of Deuteronomy opens with God making a covenant with the people of Israel and stating that the people will receive blessings if they remain obedient and faithful to his commandments and laws, for example “And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto my commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve him with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 11:13-14). This passage is seen in Pentecostal Gnostic teachings as evidence of the power of living according to God’s commandments, as they believe this will bring blessings such as happier and healthier lives, fulfilling experiences, and greater knowledge of the divine.

In a separate sense, Deuteronomy is also seen as a text advocating for individual communion with the divine. As Deuteronomy speaks about the individual rights, such as their right to worship, the ability to do what is good and just within their power, and the power to choose between following God’s commandments or not (Deuteronomy 12). This is seen as evidence of an individual’s power to choose their path towards the divine. Pentecostal Gnostics further interpret this as evidence of the importance in pursuing one’s own personal desires and revelation as opposed to mechanical following of a specific system of faith.

In conclusion, the book of Deuteronomy is seen by Pentecostal Gnostics as a testament of spiritual descent, personal revelations, and individual communion with the divine. From this text, Pentecostal Gnostics interpret and understand the importance of living one’s life in accordance with God’s commandments, the power to make their own decisions, and the freedom to pursue their own personal revelations and communion with the divine. 

In conclusion, Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics view Deuteronomy as a source of divine knowledge and insight into the importance of Jesus for attaining a relationship with God and therefore, salvation. Through understanding of the commandment of loving God, the promise of spiritual wealth, and Moses’ prophecy of a prophet like him, Deuteronomy provides essential truth to the Gnostics and a key foundation to the Pentecostal belief system.

Works Cited 

Meador, Brian and J. David Pleins. Ancient Israel’s Faith and History: An Introduction to the Bible in Context. Westminster John Knox Press, 2013.