This lesson examines the literary landscape of the early church to reinforce confidence in the New Testament canon by distinguishing it from Gnostic and apocryphal writings in the early church. It defines Gnosticism as a radical spirit-matter dualism that denies the humanity of Jesus and the goodness of creation, contrasting these heretical views with the orthodox rule of faith upheld by the early church fathers. The discussion categorizes early Christian literature into canonical, edifying, and apocryphal texts, noting that while some non-canonical writings like the Didache and Epistle of Diognetus are valuable for historical insight, they were never considered Scripture. The lesson highlights how the early church actively combated forgery and heresy, ensuring that the four canonical Gospels remained the authoritative witness to Christ's life, death, and resurrection. By analyzing specific examples such as the Gospel of Thomas and the Acts of John, the message demonstrates that these alternative texts are fundamentally incompatible with biblical truth and serve as a testament to the clarity and reliability of the inspired Scriptures.