The One Gospel, One Christ
Debunking the Myth of Early “Competing Christianities” and “Lost Gospels”
There’s a pervasive myth among skeptics and online critics that early Christianity was a sprawling, chaotic movement—a patchwork of competing sects, each with its own gospel. According to this narrative, the canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John only survived because they outmaneuvered rival texts and sects, allegedly suppressing “lost gospels” and alternative Christianities.
Even some modern commentators, like Alex O’Connor, casually suggest that Christianity as we know it could have been radically different if early alternative movements, such as the Valentinian faction, had prevailed.
But the historical evidence paints a radically different picture: from the very beginning, Christianity was unified, coherent, and doctrinally complete. There were no competing “versions” of Jesus’ message, no secret gospels threatening to supplant the truth, and no “lost gospels” that hold the key to a truer Christianity.
Let’s examine the facts.
1. Christianity Was Delivered “Once for All”
The New Testament is emphatic: the faith delivered to believers in the first century was finished, complete, and sufficient. Jude writes:
“Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.”
(Jude 1:3)
“Once for all” is not casual language. It implies finality and stability—a faith that is not in flux, not experimental, not awaiting human tinkering. This is the same phrase used elsewhere to describe the finality of Christ’s sacrificial death:
“For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God.” (Romans 6:10)
“He offered Himself once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:27; 9:12)
The parallel is unmistakable: just as Christ’s death completed the work of redemption once for all, the gospel itself was final and authoritative. Any deviation was a perversion, not a legitimate alternative.
Paul is uncompromising:
“I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel…But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached, let him be accursed.”
(Galatians 1:6–9)
And again:
“For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received…you may well put up with it!”
(2 Corinthians 11:4)
The early church was not negotiating or debating truth. There was one Christ, one gospel, one Spirit—and any deviation was categorically rejected.
2. Apostolic Preaching Shows Doctrinal Unity
The book of Acts demonstrates the remarkable consistency of the apostles’ message. From Peter’s first sermon in Jerusalem to his later address to Cornelius, the gospel remained the same: Jesus Christ, His death and resurrection, and the salvation of all who believe.
Peter on Pentecost:
“This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 2:32–38)
To Cornelius:
“How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power…Him God raised up on the third day…To Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name, whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins.”
(Acts 10:38–43)
Paul confirms the same gospel and its alignment with the apostles:
“…when James, Cephas, and John…gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.”
(Galatians 2:2,7–9)
The early church maintained unity in doctrine, audience, and practice, countering the myth of “multiple Christianities.”
3. Early Creeds Establish Core Doctrine
Paul’s creed in 1 Corinthians 15:3–8, dating within a few years of Jesus’ death, attests to early, widespread doctrinal consistency:
“For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins…He was buried, and He rose again the third day…Then last of all He appeared to me also.”
This creed predates the writing of the gospels, reflecting authentic eyewitness testimony. It confirms the unchanging core of the gospel: Christ’s death, resurrection, and visible appearances.
4. Canonical Gospels vs. Gnostic Texts
The early church had clear criteria for canonical texts:
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Apostolic authority—direct link to apostles or eyewitnesses.
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Consistency with apostolic teaching—no contradiction to the core gospel.
Gnostic and “lost” gospels failed both:
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Chronology: Most are mid-to-late 2nd century, decades after the apostles.
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Doctrine: Many deny Jesus’ bodily resurrection, claiming a purely spiritual Christ.
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Historical reliability: Allegorical and mystical, not historical.
These texts never threatened the canonical gospel and were rightly rejected.
5. Addressing Skeptical Claims
Skeptics often point to Valentinianism, Marcionism, or other sects, suggesting they were credible alternatives. The historical record says otherwise:
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Valentinianism: Small, second-century, dualistic sect, far removed from the apostolic era.
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Marcionism: Rejected the Old Testament, creating a truncated canon. Also second-century, and quickly labeled heretical.
These movements were deviations, not legitimate competitors to first-century Christianity.
6. One Gospel, One Faith
From the first apostolic sermon to the last, Christianity centered on Christ’s death and resurrection for the forgiveness of sins. Key points:
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One gospel.
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One Christ.
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Apostolic preaching confirmed unity across regions and audiences.
Any “lost gospels” or alternative Christianities are modern fabrications, not historical realities.
7. Scriptural Corroboration
Canonical gospels align with pre-gospel traditions:
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Romans 8:34 references Christ’s ascension, pre-dating gospels.
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1 Corinthians 15:3–8 preserves early resurrection creed.
The gospels simply recorded and verified apostolic preaching, preserving a unified, eyewitness-based account of Christ’s life.
8. Conclusion: Debunking the Myth
The historical and scriptural record is clear:
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Christianity was complete and unified in the first century.
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Apostolic preaching and early creeds confirm doctrinal consistency.
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Canonical gospels met the standards of apostolic authority and consistency.
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Gnostic and “lost” gospels were later, heretical fabrications.
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Skeptical claims about “competing Christianities” exaggerate the significance of minor sects.
There is one gospel, one Christ, and one apostolic witness. Early Christianity was never a fractured movement with competing doctrines—a reality the “lost gospels” myth obscures.
The faith delivered by the apostles was finished, authoritative, and faithfully preserved in the New Testament we have today.
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