You took this verse to refer to a denial of Christ's divinity though it is actually speaking about a denial of Christ's humanity. The Apostle John's opening words in his first epistle show that Christians believed the Word of God, with God from the beginning, had appeared in the person of Jesus Christ; they saw him, they heard him, they touched him. This was who they were declaring to the world as the one who purifies believers from all sin.
At that time, Gnosticism taught that spirit is entirely good and matter is entirely evil. They denied that the Word of God would ever be contaminated by a human, fleshly body. At most, Christ could only have seemed to have a body (Docetism); others said the divine Christ joined the man Jesus at baptism but left him before he died (Cerinthianism). Gnosticism taught libertinism - throwing off all moral restraints - anathema to Christians.
Given that John also said (in his gospel) that the Word became flesh, dwelt amongst them and his glory - the glory of the One and Only - was seen by them, (Jn 1:14) it's not unreasonable to include the deity of Christ in the idea, but the one verse you are citing is not so specific.
So, all Gnosticism, libertinism, and teaching that Jesus only became 'the Christ' at his baptism (which Jehovah's Witnesses teach, along with his body not being resurrected - similar to Cerinthianism though not as strong) is 'against' Christ. That is what 'anti' means. Sadly, some people today profess to love Christ but believe these Gnostic spin-offs. It's a mistake to try identifying nationalities or religions as the antiChrist, though, because most of their members have been misinformed about Christ. Once the truth about Christ is proclaimed to them, then it becomes apparent whether they are for, or against Christ. It is the spirit of antiChrist abroad in the earth today that we need to be alert to, and to speak out against; the doctrines and lies. God judges individuals.
2007-10-11 03:33:28
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answer #1
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answered by Annsan_In_Him 7
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This is (NAB):
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Beloved, do not trust every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they belong to God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
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This is how you can know the Spirit of God: every spirit that acknowledges Jesus Christ come in the flesh be longs to God,
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and every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus does not belong to God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist that, as you heard, is to come, but in fact is already in the world.
_______..._______..._______
Out of context it could be thought of this way but in context we see that it means the "spirit" as in that which influences and leads a person or people.
If this spirit is not of God Almighty then it is from the Adversary.
The Adversary will mislead people through various denominations and organizations.
When this was written many anti Christians, those who hated Jesus, denied that Jesus even existed let alone that Jesus was the Messiah.
This happens down to this day in various forms.
Members of the tribe of Judah have been taught that Jesus was not the Messiah. This does not make them antiChrists only mistaught and blind. There are quite a few (tongue in cheek) unwitting allies of the AntiChrist.
People that "know" Jesus is the Messiah and declare otherwise are antiChrists but not the AntiChrist.
2007-10-10 21:51:33
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answer #2
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answered by troll to troll 7
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John declares that those who deny " Jesus Christ has come in the flesh " are of antichrist. While all orthodox Christians take this to mean Jesus was fully human, including having a physical body of flesh before His resurrection, some content that Jesus was not raised from the dead in the same body of flesh and bones in which He died but in a body that was not essentially material.
So what does this verse mean?
John uses the perfect tense here in Greek, meaning past action with continuing results in the present. Thus, he affirms that Jesus came in the flesh in the past and continues in the flesh in the present ( i.e., when he is writing, which was after the Resurrection)
This is further clarified by John's use of the same phrase, only in the present tense. He declared that many deceivers do not " confess Jesus Christ a coming ( present tense ) in the flesh " ( 2 John 7 ). From this it is clear that, even after the Resurrection when John wrote, he insisted that Jesus was still continuing in the flesh.
2007-10-10 21:46:54
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answer #3
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answered by Nina, BaC 7
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1 John 4:3
3but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world.
BibleGateway.com
Okay, as I read this verse, it says: EVERY SPIRIT. What does the word "every" mean?? I think you know the answer. The good new is as long as a person is alive, they too have a chance to call on the Lord Jesus Christ to save them from the Antichrist, from eternity in hell where the suffering NEVER ends. God is giving us a choice, choose well.
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2007-10-10 20:48:11
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answer #4
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answered by Sassi-The Happy White Kat 4
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In the Greek text the prefix a or an added to a word gives it a negative meaning. Basically John is saying you are either for Jesus as the Christ or you are either against Him...antichrist.
2007-10-10 20:46:34
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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In particular he was referring to a gnostic cult at the time - the docetists who claimed to believe in Christ, but that Christ was not incarnate in human flesh, seeing as they believed anything physical was innately evil.
There are many anti-Christian religions that are of similar spirit. Like the Muslims don't believe that Jesus died on the cross because they couldn't imagine God allowing a prophet to die in such a manner, yet they claim to believe in Jesus. That and their rejection of the apostles teachings clearly put them in the camp of the anti-Christs today.
2007-10-10 21:41:56
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answer #6
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answered by Steve Amato 6
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The "spirit of Antichrist" is already here. Those who reject Christ are unknowingly or consciously siding with the spirit of the Antichrist.
2007-10-10 20:44:44
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answer #7
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answered by Anonymous
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Yeah anyone who denies the existence of Christ or doesn't believe in Jesus Christ's teachings are anti-christs but the word is often misused
2007-10-10 20:43:05
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answer #8
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answered by Anonymous
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Anybody, according to scripture who would deny Christ, is an Anti-Christ.
2007-10-10 20:45:29
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answer #9
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answered by Emerald Book Reviews 6
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it means that anyone who denies Christ is against Christ and therefor are against God. Not just the Jews, anyone. Remember, God told Abraham that anyone who cursed his children, He would curse, and anyone who blessed Abrahams children, God would bless. God doesnt change his mind just because Israel rebels, as they have numerous times. Israel will come back to God and will accept Jesus. Trust me, they will.
2007-10-10 20:45:28
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answer #10
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answered by Anonymous
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