About the Justinus's book, Baruch, it seems familiar with the Luke or Matthew.
According to Hippolytus, the Naassenes knew about Paul's epistles & the gospels of Matthew & John and used them as basis for their beliefs. So, according to your remark about the dating of Justinus' book, the Naassenes cannot be prior to Simon Magus.Therefore Justinus cannot be prior to Simon Magus, and therefore the evidence of the pre-christian Naassen Jesus disappears.
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3).These are, he says, what are by all called the secret mysteries, "which (also we speak), not in words taught of human wisdom, but in those taught of the Spirit, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him."
As in 1 Corinthians 2:13-14 "Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)And again, it is said, the Saviour has declared, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
As in Mt 7:21 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)"And again, he says, the Saviour has declared, "The publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of heaven before you.""
As in Mt 21:31 "... Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)And this, he says, is what has been declared: "The sower went forth to sow. And some fell by the wayside, and was trodden down; and some on the rocky places, and sprang up," he says, "and on account of its having no depth (of soil), it withered and died; and some," he says, "fell on fair and good ground, and brought forth fruit, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty fold. Who hath ears," he says, "to hear, let him hear." The meaning of this, he says, is as follows, that none becomes a hearer of these mysteries, unless only the perfect Gnostics.
As in Mt 13:3-5 but simplified. Also in gMark & gLuke.
As in Mt 13:23 "But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)This, he says, is what is spoken: "Every tree not producing good fruit, is cut down and cast into the fire." For these fruits, he says, are only rational living men, who enter m through the third gate.
As in Mt 3:10 "And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)This, he says, is what (Jesus) asserts: "Throw not that which is holy unto the dogs, nor pearls unto the swine." Now they allege that the work of swine and dogs is the intercourse of the woman with a man.
As in Mt 7:6 "Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you."
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(THE REFUTATION OF ALL HERESIES, BOOK V, 3)"Concerning these, he says, the Saviour has declared, No one can come unto me, except my heavenly Father draw some one unto me". For it is very difficult, he says, to accept and receive this great and ineffable mystery."
As in Jn 6:44 "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day."
Cordially, Bernard