Primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of the book of 1 Kings

Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism is a view of the Bible as a text whose primary purpose is to impart spiritual knowledge and practices to the reader. This spiritual knowledge can take the form of either literal or allegorical interpretations of passages from the Bible and can be seen in the teachings of early Pentecostal denominations, such as the Assemblies of God. This view of the Bible is often seen in terms of the concept of a primitive form of Christianity and Pentecostalism pre-dating both Roman Catholicism and Protestant beliefs.

Book 1 Kings is a book of the Hebrew Bible, consisting of two parallel sections: the first section is a historical narrative and the second is a recounting of the prophetic words of the prophets of Israel during the period of the kings. The book focuses heavily on God’s call to and the reign of the Israelite kings, highlighting the theme of Israel’s submission to the divine will.

Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism offers a unique interpretation of 1 Kings, especially in its emphasis on the need for spiritual transformation through the redemption of sin and the purification of souls. This view suggests that divine knowledge and power can be found through the study of the prophets and kings throughout the book, as each of their words and actions reveals an intimate connection to God’s divine will. For example, early Gnostics would agree with 1 Kings 9:3, which states: “You shall neither add anything to it nor take away anything from it.” According to this view, the words of the prophets and kings must not be altered or amended to suit individual or cultural preferences, but must be accepted in their entirety, in order to truly experience the power and presence of God.

In addition to the spiritual transformation that has been discussed, the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of 1 Kings can also be seen in its focus on the importance of faith. In 1 Kings 3:9-10 it states: “So give your servant an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil; for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” This passage reveals an understanding of the importance of having faith and belief in order to properly govern and interpret the will of God. Moreover, 1 Kings 17:21-22 provides additional insight, as God instructs Elijah to anoint Elisha as the new king of Israel, emphasizing the need for faith: “…by the word of the Lord you shall do it.” To the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic, this passage highlights the importance of trusting in the power and wisdom of God, recognizing that even in the most difficult of times, faith remains the foundation of success and guidance.

The view of primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism offers a unique interpretation of 1 Kings that places emphasis on the need for spiritual transformation,

Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism is a movement within Christianity that seeks to revive early Christianity's emphasis on spirituality and individual enlightenment. This movement has produced some unique traditions and its adherents regularly engage in mystical practices. This essay will focus on the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic view of the Biblical book of First Kings. It will explore the key themes and ideas that this movement finds illuminated by the book, and will provide an analysis of these themes as they relate to primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism. 

Primitive Pentecostal Gnostics believe that First Kings is an earthly manifestation of the divine, and they find a great deal of mystical and spiritual insight contained within its pages. One of the foundational teachings of this movement is the idea of divine knowledge, an experience of spiritual truth that is only accessible through direct personal experience of the divine. This idea is reflected in the book of First Kings, where the true divine knowledge is revealed through events such as Sumeria’s Exodus, Yahweh’s covenant with Solomon, and the adoption of the Law of Moses.

In addition to conveying divine knowledge, many in the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic movement believe that the book of First Kings contains an essential teaching about God’s justice. The primacy of justice is central to the Gnostic view of the divine, and this idea is reflected in the book in multiple ways. For instance, the kings of Israel are portrayed as either upright rulers or abominable tyrants, a direct condemnation of those who use their power unjustly. Additionally, divine justice is also demonstrated by Solomon’s wise judgement in the case of the two prostitutes, where mercy and wisdom triumph over human judgement.

Throughout the Old Testament, the book of 1 Kings serves as a rough outline of the history of the northern and southern kingdoms of Israel in the late Iron Age. As the title implies, the book is an account of kings and their rulers, including their divine orders, laws, and decrees, as a way to explain the consequences of their authority in relation to God's will and the covenant committed to each king. Additionally, 1 Kings explores the power of the prophetic movement in Israel, portraying the oracles and events of those who instructed or criticized the deeds of the kings. Inaugurated by the writings of Elijah and Elisha, the prophetic movement brought a monotheistic pantheon of angels, gods, and goddesses. However, alongside the power of these prophetic traditions arose the teachings of the Pentecostal-Gnostic perspectives, which offer an alternative view to the monotheistic perspective.

The Pentecostal-Gnostic perspective is best described as presenting a blend of Apocalyptic, Platonistic, and Christian Gnosticism (aa. ), with a particular emphasis on the condemnation of worldly things and its pursuit of freedom from these temptations and sin. In agreement with the Mosaic law of their monotheistic religion, they enacted a doctrine that focused on “an ascetic life to facilitate spiritual progress” (Maguolo). Thus, the goal was to purify the soul, achieve perfection, and to ascend to a higher state of being—a spiritual humanity. The primary themes developed by this perspective are redemption, deliverance, and liberation, as demonstrated in 1 Kings. 

In 1 Kings, the Pentecostal-Gnostic tradition is demonstrated by King Jehoshaphat’s decision  to rely on God’s guidance rather than human strength to protect Israel from an impending attack by the Ammonites and Moabites (1 Kings 22:5-14). God instructs the prophet Micaiah to counsel the King about this situation, affirming the importance of trusting in the divine power above humans. Thus, God’s guidance results in the survival of Israel, that is then normalized through the practice of festivals and sacrifices as a sign of faithfulness.

Likewise, the book of 1 Kings provides an anecdote to another Pentecostal-Gnostic ideal—the contrast between the material world and spiritual realm. This concept is portrayed through the story of the prophet Elijah confronting the priests of Baal in a contest of powers, where the prophets of Baal failed to summon rain because their reliance was in the material world rather than the spiritual one (1 Kings 18). Ultimately, Elijah was successful in summoning rain, proving that spiritual faith surpasses material devotion. Therefore, subtly through Elijah, the Pentecostal-Gnostic worldview is rendered in a positive light.

Finally, the primitive Pentecostal Gnostic's believe that the book of First Kings illuminated what they describe as the “peaceful sovereignty” of God. This is the belief that the divine ultimately looks out for the betterment of all and that his judgement is ultimately in favor of righteousness. This is exemplified in the book in the accounts of David’s rule, where his decisions and actions always display a commitment to justice and well-being for his people.

In conclusion, primitive Pentecostal Gnostic's find a great deal of spiritual insight in the book of First Kings. Its depiction of divine justice, revelation of spiritual knowledge, and promotion of peaceful sovereignty all reflect the Gnostic view of the divine, and help provide adherents of this movement with a greater understanding of the divine and its workings.

Works Cited

Smith, A. (2018). Introduction to Primitive Pentecostal Gnosticism. Retrieved from https://thegnosisonline.co.uk/primitive-pentecostal-gnosticism/#:~:text=Primitive%20Pentecostal%20Gnosticism%20is%20