Gnosticism, a significant source of heresy during the time the New Testament was written, emphasized secret knowledge as a core element of its philosophy. This focus on hidden truths fostered a belief among its adherents that they possessed superior understanding, often leading them to disparage the God-ordained roles and hierarchy within the church of God. Such individuals typically believed they knew more than the rest of the church, particularly the ministry, resulting in confusion as doctrine was subjected to personal interpretation rather than divine order. The resurgence of Gnostic ideas today, though not identical to their ancient form, continues to pose a threat by promoting equal claims to knowledge and undermining the authoritative structure established by Him.